It all began in the most ordinary of places—a high school auditorium on a warm evening. I was assisting with a singing audition for a school event, tasked with calling out participants’ names as they took their turn on stage. One by one, I read from the list, until I reached a name that would unknowingly change everything: Jasmine.
She walked up to the stage wearing a simple white T-shirt and jeans, her presence unassuming yet magnetic. When she sang, her voice had a unique quality—soft but full of potential. Unfortunately, her song choice didn’t quite suit her voice, but something about her stayed with me. Maybe it was the way she carried herself or the way our eyes briefly met. It was just a fleeting moment, a glance between strangers, but little did I know, it was the prologue to a story that would unfold over the next two years.
The Library Encounter: A Serendipitous “Hi”
Fast forward a few weeks, and life was a whirlwind of textbooks and stress. I was preparing for my SPM exams, and love was the last thing on my mind. But fate has a funny way of showing up when you least expect it.
One sweltering afternoon, during the last period of the day, my English teacher decided to take our class to the library to fill out our NILAM reading logs. I was thrilled—not just because I loved books, but because the library was an air-conditioned oasis in the middle of Malaysia’s relentless heat. As I browsed the shelves, lost in thought, I turned a corner and there she was: Jasmine.
She smiled and said, “Hi.” Just one word, but it felt like the world paused for a moment. My heart skipped a beat, and suddenly, the heat outside didn’t seem so unbearable. We started talking, and she recommended a book for me to read and log for NILAM. That book became my sacred treasure, not because of its content, but because it was a gift from her. Before she left, she mentioned she was a regular at the library. I filed that information away, not realizing how much it would come to mean to me.
The Library Chronicles: A Quiet Love Story
From that day on, the library became my sanctuary. I started visiting more often, partly because I genuinely enjoyed the quiet atmosphere, but mostly because I hoped to see her again. The library clerk began giving me side-eye, probably wondering why I was suddenly such a frequent visitor. But I didn’t care. Every time I saw Jasmine—whether we exchanged a few words or just shared a knowing glance—it felt like a small victory.
Those moments were fleeting but precious. I’d never felt this excited to go to school before. Even the mundane act of walking into the library became an adventure, filled with the possibility of running into her. It was a quiet, unspoken connection—a love story unfolding in the hushed aisles between bookshelves.
The Beginning of Something Beautiful
This was just the start of our story—a story filled with ups and downs, laughter and tears, and lessons that would stay with me long after it ended. But those early days, the ones filled with innocent excitement and quiet longing, remain some of my most cherished memories. It’s funny how love can find you in the most unexpected places, even in the quiet corners of a high school library.
Reflection: The Power of First Love
Looking back, I realize how much that time shaped me. Jasmine wasn’t just my first love; she was a mirror that reflected parts of myself I hadn’t yet discovered. The way she made me feel—alive, curious, and hopeful—was a gift, even if it didn’t last forever. And while our story eventually took a different turn, those early moments in the library will always remind me of the beauty of beginnings.
Share Your Story
What about you? Do you have a memory of your first love that still makes you smile? Or maybe a place that holds a special meaning in your heart? Share it through email—I’d love to hear your story!