She felt good to walk in the park on such a perfect day. Though it was noonish, it wasn't humid. Just balmy. There were so many people around. Many couples. Groups of friends. And a few loners like her. But I have my shadow, she reminded herself. People were reading. Or knitting. Even painting. Some just walking casually. Then there were these bunch of people clicking photographs of the people reading, knitting or painting or walking.
She sat down, on the grass after removing her shoes. She pulled her book. The story was thrilling, about a writer who has stolen her dead bestseller friend's manuscript. It had won the Goodreads Choice award. The writing and the premise was so good that it is no surprise that it was appreciated. However, she couldn't help but be distracted by everything happening around her in the park. Especially, she was curious to figure out what others were reading. The guy behind her was reading one of her personal favorites, Tuesdays with Morrie. What is that fat book the guy on her right reading, she wondered. He was focused and not taking his eyes away from the book though his three friends were endlessly chatting next to him. Thank God they interrupted him by nudging him to check if he needs coffee. Yes, he wanted coffee and she saw the name of the book - Roots. The title was familiar. She hadn't read it. But she had seen that book in bookshops or bookstagram maybe. There were three late teenage girls on her left. They were seeing something on the phone and giggling in a high pitch. In front of her there was a big group of people. She couldn't figure out what they were upto.
Anyways, she continued to read. It was a gripping book, you see. Then she looked up after several minutes to change her sitting position. She is not used to sitting cross legged on floor for so long. She wished she had a tree to rest her back. But the soil near the trees were too moist. It was just watered, maybe. That's when she saw this young couple happily chatting. The guy was lying down with one of his knees bent and, his head comfortably rested on his elbows. The girl was sitting across him with her back resting on his knees. Now that's what you call a comfortable position to relax in a park, she muttered within with a smile in her face.
It felt good, to just sit there and read. The chirping birds gave her a good company alongside the book. It was mid afternoon and the weather was getting better. The gentle breeze was perfectly pleasant. Everytime she looked up the majestic tree gave her solace with the sheer presence. Most of the times, we need presence of people, don't we? We just need to know they are there, for us, anything. In the park that tree gave her that security.
Her stomach growled and she knew she was starving. She was reluctant to leave. She wanted to stay and just be present in the midst of the trees, birds and the dappled sunlight. She told herself that the breeze was gentle and pleasant. The sounds of birds calming and nearly therapeutic. And that tree, with it's extended branches made her feel home. But then she had to go. It was getting late. She had to eat something. She cursed herself for not packing some snacks.
Until next time, she thought to herself as she deeply inhaled the fresh air and winked at the tree. Then she wore her shoes and walked away.
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