Aglow - Part III

I’m going to try to be the Prime Minister after all

Outside, from the library’s window, I could see darkness was descending. The outside view was no longer visible— only the tall glass exterior reflecting the shelves of books and my diminutive figure amidst them.

Yes, the shelves had become dark walls from which I could not distinguish one book from another. But I was no longer in panic. I had found my answer.

“Integrity,” I whispered.

Yes— that was what I was afraid of. That in pursuing my dreams of becoming the prime minister, I’d have to loose my integrity.

Just then, the lights in the library went out. There was darkness all around me. Silence followed.

I remained— unmoved.

Then, a glow appeared between the shelves. But the lights of the library had not been restored. Instead, the books were becoming separate again. Their titles in their spines reappeared and these letters glowed in a soft-yellow illumination. I walked amidst them— my face alight by the soft glow.

At the end of the row, there was one book that caught my attention. Unlike the other books, whose only titles were glowing, this book was fully aglow.

I knew it was for me. I walked towards it and pulled it from the shelf. It felt warm against my palms.

On the cover, my name was embossed. I turned to the first page.

“Whether rain or storm—

A light within you that never dies—

And only you

can

Keep it alive”

As I flipped through, the rest of the pages were empty. I clutched the book close to my chest.

Just then, the lights of the room were restored. It became the library corner that I had known everyday for the past three years. The books were no longer glowing. I walked to my bag and put the book inside. I hadn’t done any studying, but it did not matter. I packed up all my belongings and went outside.

It was raining heavily now— but the water felt soothing against my skin. I relished the feelings as the droplets drenched my plaited hair and slid past my coat.

Back in my room, I opened my wet coat by the door and turned on the lights of the room as it sprung into life in the yellow glow.

My phone rang. It was my mother.

She must have woken up just now for she was still in her nightgown.

“How was your day?” She asked, walking from her bedroom to the study, as the background changed behind her face.

“I decided I’m going to try to be the Prime Minister after all,” I told her.

She looked back at me in a reflective gaze, and smiled.