An ordinary Cuban woman named Rosita lives on a small island with a small population in her town. Everyone knows everyone’s face; if a new traveler were to embark on this island, one would quickly notice them. One close to the late evening, Rosita decided she wanted to take a trip into town; she didn’t intend to stay out so long, for her father had expected her to return home before dawn. She had to take a trip to the local library to return what was borrowed and take out some interesting adventure-written books to lose herself in. She longed to meet a man like the one she had read about in her fantasy romance novels. She knew she would encounter her soulmate when the universe deemed the time suitable.
She walked the dirt road down to a small old-time library and sat at the end of a crossroad. The door creaked as she slowly opened it. It broke the silence within the library like a crack that fractured glass. The sound of her soft footsteps slowly trailed across the room towards the genre of books that she loved to read. Usually, Rosita would take her books home and begin her imaginary journey within the warmth and comfort of her walls at home. Still, this evening, she felt the urge to stay and possibly get into the first few chapters at the Library. She looked upon the horizon and saw the sun was soon to set, and it was possible her father may begin to worry if she stayed out too far past sundown, but Rosita saw no harm in just the first chapter at least, so she sat and began to read. Minutes turned into a half hour, and that turned into an hour. It was so quiet inside you could hear a mouse’s footsteps pattering across the wooden floors.
After Rosita saw the light of the candle flicker from the corner of her eye, she realized she had stayed out past her father’s desired curfew. When she closed her book, she looked up, after a few moments of gazing at its cover, to a man who sat directly across from her. He was also reading. She couldn’t make out the title of the book, for the light was too dim on his end. She couldn’t imagine reading in that dim light. She also couldn’t help but notice his attire, how tattered and worn down his clothes looked, and how his skin looked clean. His beard was neatly trimmed, and he wore a farmer’s hat. She could not help but wonder where this man was from and what led him to cross her path during his walk of life.
The gentleman felt the gaze that her eyes laid upon him, and he turned his attention away from his book, and their eyes met. However, it wasn’t very bright within the library; his eyes were the deepest shade of brown she had ever seen. She sat there stuck; her eyes locked on his…Quickly she realized that she was staring… She frantically gathered her books, politely smiled, and stood up to check out.
Her steps toward the counter felt like hours. She dares not turn back and meet his gaze once more.
A gust of wind blew past her as she opened the door to exit, and her fragrance breeze into the library and surrounded the man. Without her noticing, he began to pursue her. He had never taken his eyes off her since they met a gaze. She had given him a warm feeling, genuine and kind. Her eyes were so soft and caring.
Halfway down the road now, she feels so embarrassed she dropped a book without noticing. She quickly walked down the path back through town.
He notices her book in the dirt path and retrieves it. As he walked the path and followed her unnoticed, He took a piece of paper from his notepad, wrote down a quick small note, and stuck it in the margins of the book. It read:
Dear Bontia, you dropped this book, back at the library.
Our eyes have met, and although we are unacquainted, I feel like we have met before, possibly in another lifetime… If you believe in faith, meet me by the small church on Elm Road tomorrow at dusk. “
Signed ~ Julio Vasquez
He continued to follow her, noting that she never looked back once. When he saw what home, she had entered, he left the book in her mailbox and disappeared into the dusty alley.
Rosita had her back pressed against the door, her heart raising, for she felt he saw the passion and curiosity in her eyes. She thought, ” he was indeed a traveler, for I am sure I won’t see him again.”
Out of the corner of her eyes, she saw the silhouette of a man pass by her window; she quickly opened the door and saw nothing but dust swirling about down the alley near her home; she noticed her mailbox was left open. When she saw the book inside, she was relieved it was even there. She quickly looked around again, looking up at the clouds and thanking whoever returned the book she had dropped.
She placed the books onto her kitchen table, and right before she walked away, she saw the note sticking out within the seams. Her heartbeat faster as she reached for the book, and she knew who had left it in her mailbox. She opened the note and read the words from this mysterious man.
“Julio…” a warm smile crosses her face. She knew going out to meet with a total stranger was a crazy idea, but she was willing to. She couldn’t help but shake this positive, familiar feeling when she met his gaze.
To be continued…
