A day at the library

Some weekends demand no errands.

Usually, days like these go in taking ample rest, speaking to family and relying on take-outs, thereby burying full days silently with nothing much to talk about.

But hoy es diferente(learning Espanol, if not in instances like these, I have nowhere to put it to use, so!)

As I was scrolling through my Instagram feed from the comfort of my bed in the morning, it suddenly occurred to me that I can deposit my lazy rump at the Library and check if any productivity can be squeezed out of me. I sat upright, as soon as the idea hit me and began swirling in my mind, clearly enticing me. 

I began my morning tango of brushing, bathing and picking an outfit to battle the near-zero temperatures that the libraries try hard, maybe, to preserve the human race. I made a quick list of what I might require and decided on my beloved MAC, a shawl in case the bulky sweater gives up, water and three stuffed-potato-breadsticks which took more than an hour to prepare. I was, then, good to go. 

Swinging my black Anello bag to my back and slipping my feet into my cozy shoes, I took the elevator in haste from the 13th floor. Now that I decided to be productive, it seemed like I couldn't wait any longer but to be there where I longed. Halfway, an old couple joined me in the elevator and gave me a look that seemed less acknowledging and more disapproving. Usually, I pride myself for being quick-witted, but it took the rest of the ride to realize I left my home without a face-mask and risked almost my life. I raced back to get it and started to the National Library, which is a quick two-stop-away bus ride from my house.

On the way, I decided to stop at a pen store, Typo to get a notebook to scribble on at the Library, in case I had any cool thoughts that I might want to get back to later. I bought a heavy tortoise embezzled pen embossed with sandlike dust, a starfish and a couple of scattered seashells on the pen's body, an A5 ruled notebook which was apparently the only thing I went to the store for and some tacky Bosswoman stickers. Each individual item costed 3$, but if I paired them all, I could steal the lot for 5$. When the salesgirl pointed this delicious fact to me, she expected me to half jump and lunge at the merchandise. But un-moved by this groundbreaking discount sale,  I told her I just needed a book but I was forced to change my choice after being chastised and rebuked by the salesgirl's looks.

Once out of the pen store, I felt a little rusty by all the back and forth at the billing counter, and had a coffee hoping that this magic potion will keep the lethargy at least six yards away.

The sun was almost on top of me by the time I reached the Library. I wanted to walk through the security gates, but I was told to wait for 15 minutes as sanitization was in progress. To make the most of my time, I picked a place under the shade of the trees and ate my packed lunch, flicking through the news of Trump contracting COVID and the drug drama of Bollywood.

Half past midday, I walked through the aisles and the sea of books neatly shelved to finally take my place at the Library. True to self, I studied without being distracted for about an hour and went through a book-marked podcast by Performance evangelist Scott Moore which was glaring at me for over a month. At about 2:30pm, an announcement blasted through the halls that the inhabitants are to march out for yet another 30-minute sanitization break. 

I cleared out of the Building picking the table clean. After waiting for about 10 minutes, I thought how fun it would be to visit tienda de ropa instead of merely waiting by the Library doors.

A few minutes later, I was inside a clothes store called Uniqlo and found myself leisurely browsing through the WFH collection. Having walked under the sun and pampering myself with loungewear, I felt visibly worn. I contemplated on whether to return to the Library or to the comforts of my bed from where it all started. For a person who claims to suffer from decision-fatigue, I quickly decided to take the bus home.

That ended my day mostly everywhere, doing everything but studying in the Library.