The doors parted for them as if by some sort of miracle and, as soon as they were inside, Priya shot off in the direction of the children’s area. He knew she was a little too old now for those books, but she probably knew what she was looking for.
He watched as Priya dipped in and out of the shelves, already browsing, completely unperturbed by this strange new world. How did she find it so easy? Looking around, everyone knew what they were doing. Everyone but him.
Some shelves were brimming with books, whereas others were sparse, with barely four or five volumes spread along the whole row. There were tables and modern-looking computers lined up against one wall, and chairs dotted around, some scruffy, some that looked brand new. There was even an upstairs area, but there was a chain hanging from the banister with a sign clearly stating it was for ‘Staff Only’。 This library was on the small side, but he felt sure he might be able to find something here – and his mind returned to why he was back again so soon; this mystery book reservation could be his first step to becoming a ‘library person’， just like everyone else here.
He took a deep breath and walked towards the girl at the desk. He was surprised to see that she was smiling at him.
‘Hello,’ he said warily as he approached, one eye catching sight of Priya, assuming her usual pose on a beanbag: book held open between her hands.
‘Hello, can I help you?’ the girl asked. He looked around for her phone, for her headphones, for a sign that she wasn’t really paying attention, but there was nothing. How odd.
‘I’m here to pick up a book I have reserved. Except I have a question.’
‘Oh, okay?’
‘You see, I didn’t reserve a book. I only joined the library just over a week ago. Is this a welcome book or something?’
‘Mr Mukesh Patel?’
‘Yes? That … that’s me.’ Either she knew too much, or this was excellent library service.
She typed something into the computer. Her nails made that clack-clack-clacking sound. It forced Mukesh’s teeth to grit together.
‘Yes, To Kill a Mockingbird. That’s right.’ Her eyes were still on the screen. Mukesh didn’t know what was meant to happen next.
Then she pulled something out from under her desk. A book. She handed it to him. He didn’t like the feel of its laminated cover very much, but he could get used to it.
‘I, erm, I reserved this for you. You asked the other day for a recommendation; I thought this one might work.’ She hesitated. ‘Erm … it’s good.’
Mukesh held the book in his hands as though he’d never held a book before. He wanted to ask the young lady what it was about, but he didn’t know if that was a stupid question. Maybe he was meant to know already.
‘Dada, can I get this one please?’ Priya had appeared by his side, holding up The Wizard of Earthsea. Mukesh shrugged, looking to the girl behind the desk for some kind of guidance. She nodded.
‘Of course, you can take up to …’ she paused for a moment, ‘six books out at a time on each card.’ She pushed a library card with his name on it towards him.
Priya looked at her dada, nodding vigorously. He’d never seen her so animated. She swung from side to side, the book clutched to her chest.
‘You know, that book you’ve got, To Kill a Mockingbird, your granddaughter could read that too.’ The girl looked at him knowingly. Mukesh pondered this for a moment – remembering Rohini’s words that it was too grown-up for her.
‘So, this isn’t an introductory welcome book?’ he said, grabbing his library card.
‘Yeah, maybe, something like that. If you don’t wanna read it, that’s fine. But I thought it was good.’ She seemed suddenly unsure of herself, cautious.
‘I’ve heard of that book, Dada, it’s a film and everything,’ Priya jumped in.
‘Ha, beta? What is it about?’
Priya shrugged, a frown clouding her face. ‘I don’t know, I don’t know everything.’
Mukesh chuckled. The girl behind the desk breathed in, as though she was about to embark on a long speech, but all she said was, ‘It’s a good introductory novel, you know? A classic.’
‘Do you think I’ll like it, this book?’ Mukesh didn’t know who to look at – the girl, or Priya. He had liked The Time Traveler’s Wife but mainly because it had fallen into his lap at the right time and brought him closer to Naina.
The girl nodded.
Mukesh looked at the book cover. The title was scrawled like handwriting; he had to squint to make out the words. To. Kill. A. Mockingbird. ‘Why does it have that title?’ he asked.