Chapter 50: SOFIA
The extent of my reading wasn’t exactly novel, but shocking a man to silence for five minutes... now that’s a record.
We had exited the elevator, and after standing still for the passage of an array of carts, we were now making our way to the revolving doors that marked the exit.
And still, Harry was yet to utter a word. But hold on, why were we heading out? Did my reading get him so enraged that he had no option but to lead me out? And worse, with silent treatment?
Had it really gone that bad? What had I said? Without my consent, my mind started going through the words I had said in the trance of my reading, one by one. Reshuffling. Rearranging. Recycling. Separating. Rereading.
"Come on, what are you doing standing there?" Harry asked.
I hadn’t even realized that I stopped. That I stood halted - right in the middle of the lobby. His question had called me back to reality, and I realized the weight of stares directed towards me.
"Mummy, is that lady okay?" A girl asked, yanking at her mom’s hand and pointing at me.
They were a few paces from where I stood and of course the girl’s question made sense. In this hub, nobody just stands around. Everyone is always in motion, there are a lot of things to see, places to go and things to admire.
Like a spot of orange on black canvas, I stood out.
Everyone was busy, they admired the decor, the ads, the fountain of jewelries, every pair of us were captivated by one thing or the other. And now, some of them were hooked by the lady who stood not really looking at anything.
In case, you didn’t catch that. It’s actually myself that I was talking about. My gaze was fixed on something, but I wasn’t really seeing or looking at that thing. My sight was there, but my mind was absent from taking it in.
"Come along dear, I’m sure she’ll be alright" The mom said, pulling the child away.