My Favourite Book Untraced

One day I remembered that I should read a book that was in my library from many years. Many a time I had thought to read it but due to laziness or procrastination or some other important work coming my way that needed immediate attention, that book was kept aside.

But this time I had made a resolution that come what may, I will read that book. Few days ago I had seen the book in the rack. But now it remained untraced.

I knew it would be pointless asking anyone in the house about it. Because no one read any book that is in my study. 

In the house other than me resided my wife, my mother and my two teenaged children, a son and a daughter.

The book was about a Yogi's life. So I knew it would interest no one present in the house now. My mother may have been interested if it would have been in vernacular. But she has her own set of spiritual books so she is busy with them.

My wife is busy with family affairs and with the children all the time. So she has no time to read. Or if she reads she would read some magazine regarding skin and hair care or some gossip magazine on celebrities. She also is mostly busy with various social media sites on her mobile phone.

My two children are also involved with their college studies and various activities on the social media through their mobile devices.

So that leaves behind only me and my books.

I thought of asking everyone but I knew it was pointless. They may not be aware of the book itself. The book was there in our library since my father's time. It was probably bought by him or gifted to him. My curiosity was aroused about the book very early but as I was just a small boy then in school, I didn't get the courage to read it. Later on as life moved on I got involved with other activities and forgot about it.

Just last week through my friend circle, I heard about meditation and it's benefits. There was further discussion about

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a Yogi and his autobiography. I immediately recalled my library had that book and it was in my father's collection.

I remembered while dusting the books few weeks ago I had seen the book.

But now when I was seriously considering reading the book, the book remained untraced.

I tried to think hard if anyone had come to our house in recent times and any connection he or she had with the book.

For few days I remained brooding over the whereabouts of the book.

Few days later, my wife's friend came and in her hand I saw the book.

I didn't react and kept quiet. My wife came and silently put the book in it's place in the library.

My wife later told me that her friend had come to our house asking for the book if it was in our collection.

' I was unsure first but then you were not there then so I couldn't ask you. But as she was insisting that she would return it within a few days and I thought you were not reading, so I gave it to her,' narrated my wife with a guiltful feeling. I assured her that it was alright now as the book had been returned.

From my friend circle later I learnt that my friend had sent his wife to borrow the book from our house. His wife had heard from my wife about the book in our library. 

I was now realising the importance of the book. 

But so long the book lay unread in the library no one cared for it. Recently one of our celebrities suffering from mental health issues had read the book recommended by his coach. He was so impressed by it that he endorsed the magnificent effect of the book had on his mental well-being on many social media sites. This then went viral across all the other remaining sites and people from all walks of life were searching for and ordering the book. 

I felt a secret confidence run down my spine as I read the book at one sitting . This was my first book reading in many years.