Undigital email

Last few days had been roller coaster for Haity. Juggling between bookstore and orphanage, she hardly had time for herself.

The scheduled orphanage visit to Mother Teresa house, were just alternate weekends but with many under 10 kids down with flu, she volunteered to help with the overload of work.

As for now she was working behind one of the shelves, arranging the disorganized books left by some careless costumers in her bookstore.

To the left stood a small wooden stool on which she had placed some of her recent mails, suddenly her eyes went to a little green envelope.

Leaving the books arrangement, she picked it up.

"Haity here's the book, I have to rush, I'm leaving it here." Figsy barged in and out in an instant, leaving the 'Red sparrow' on coffee table.

Figsy was one of the regular costumers of her bookstore and often spent hours reading in the corner while she worked. Occasionally she took the books away to read on a journey but never, till now, has forgotten to return one on time.

Looking at door close behind Figsy, Haity remembered the first time she met her in the orphanage 12 years ago, a charming eight years old girl, jumping here and there like bunny.

On talking to sister Maya, she got to know how Figsy grew up in an abusive house and when rescued, she was starved, underweight, caged in a room while her parents were on a trip to Georgia.

One of their neighbours heard her through the crack in the window and called help.

Now she worked part time in a saloon along with college. After moving out of the orphanage, Figsy often visited there to teach art to other kids during holidays and spent time in the first place that she called home.

Haity, after scraping off the name from due books register, went back to the shelf. There was a group of college kids sitting on one of the tables, chatting and reading.

Haity's book store was very much like a coffee shop plus drawing room. People come in and go out as they please, with or without the books, as some preferred reading there itself while some preferred the cozy environment of their home.

To the right of the entry door was a coffee maker and stuff for the purpose.

Daisy, the coffee girl was on vacation so that job was on her as well. Luckily no one has ordered coffee since morning that day.

"Can I have a cup of coffee?" A male voice from the door called.

Despite being written at front 'READLONG BOOKSTORE' some people, to her utmost annoyance, confuse it with a coffee shop.

Coffee is just go along with book for those who decide to stay and read.

"This isn't a coffe shop, you get a coffee if you read for long. I'm sorry." Haity said without looking as she teared up the envelope from one end.

"I'll find a book... then?" The same costumer said.

"Go ahead please." Haity said as she stuffed the blank envelope in the waist band of her maxi skirt and opened the mini card with 'undigital email' written over it.

Few scribbled letters inside it were,

/Never did this before but here's a letter I wanted to have physical contact with you rather than appear on the digital screen.

Can we have a coffee tonight?

Sahil to Haity/

Haity was surprised at this sudden arrival. Not knowing what to do, she advanced towards her desk and dropped it along with the envelope, in the purse.

"So what should I consider this?" Haity raised her head to look at the the same person who came in minutes ago.

"Sahil? What are you doing here?" Haity asked walking closer.

He looked exactly the way she remembered him, just hairs more messy.

"I was just passing by and just had a desire to read."

"Really? Tell me why you are here and how did you find me? And....Is that your letter?"

"Kind of yeah." Sahil said putting his free hand in jeans pocket and given out a sly smile.

"Is this a prank? Sahil." Sahil was now pacing from one feet to another but kept a straight face.

"No, no no no, not at all. This is the most genuine thing I've ever done in my life." Sahil said lifting up his hands in defence.

Haity stared at him for a few seconds and shook her head.

"Sahil."

"I'm listening." Sahil stepped forward, stared into her eyes, trying to read the forthcoming answers.

"Get out," these words said with sole calmness strike like a dagger on Sahil's, not so sensitive mind.

"What?"

"Sahil I have no time to play along in this game of yours so please go. Leave." Haity gestured towards the door he came by.

She went back to her handbag and extracted the letter and the envelope.

"Here, take this with you." She handed out the two to Sahil.

"This was for you so please kept it. I'll just go. Thanks for your time." Sahil turned to leave.

"But if you think this is a game, you are mistaken. I wanted to take you for coffee and apologise for that day's behaviour and also from my cousin Tanya's."

He again turn to leave but this time, walked away without looking back.

Haity felt a ting of guilt as she sensed the honesty in his words.

Pushing aside the regrets she put back the letter and envelope in her bag.

"Dude Haity what was Sahil doing here?" Maira asked as soon as she entered the store.

"Nothing." Haity tried to shake it off.

"What's up?"

"Do not try to get rid of my question. I saw him get out, he looked, um....not so pleased." Maira had a smug expression on her face as she interrogated her friend.

"Quit it Maira. I don't feel like talking about it."

"Okay whenever you are ready." Maira let go of the conversation. But now Haity seemed to have developed interest.

"He asked me for coffee." Haity spoke out, shocking Maira.

"What? I knew it, I knew he was mesmerized by you. It was in his eyes at the party. I guess you said no?"

"Exactly. How did he even find me?"

"Maybe by your social media account. Check your Instagram." Maira said and Haity pulled out her cell.

"Anything? message? Follow request?"

"No. Nothing."

"Maybe he wanted to keep it non digital."

This sentence reminded Haity of the weird phrase written on the envelope

Undigital email

"Forget about this. I'll make you coffee." Haity said and went to the coffee maker and Maira followed her.

"Haity if you are not interested in a fling then stay away from him. We've heard of his stories in office, not a good boy." Maira warned.

Despite saying no to Sahil, Haity had a slight hope in her heart but listening to Maira, that too dispersed away.

She had no time for bad boy match series.