The book that Kevin loaned came back as if it had gone through a seven-day field camp. The very much coveted pair of Oakley spectacles is still with Don after he borrowed to try on some seven (perhaps eight now) years ago.
I couldn’t believe how people can get to such an extent of insensitivity when it comes to using things that do not belong to them. Does their happiness hit a new scale on the meter as they deface books by making the edges resembles the ears of their hormone-enraged husky? Or perhaps they enjoy that anxious look on my face as they held on endearingly to that pathetic pair of spectacles for some good ol’ moon years.
Those who had a decent look on my bookshelf will agree that most of my books, unless raped by insolent bastards, are still in their spiffy state. I don’t expect people to observe good reading habits to Elisia’s standards (by Elisia’s standards, it will mean not opening the book fully such that the book spine has creases), but I think not having dog-eared or stained edges are reasonable enough. No?
I won’t want to imagine him manhandling the book, but it definitely makes me realize why the libraries will bear to stamp every single readable literature with “I’m only a book, please take good care of me.“, because there are inconsiderate souls who read with a stick rammed up their asses that they have to perpetually bookmark where they stopped while they make a mad rush to the restrooms.
Kindhearted souls who borrowed stuff appreciate the goodwill that was kindly bestowed upon them when they return the items promptly after use; I didn’t know how spectacles can be borrowed, but I did it anyways.
So after years of contemplation, I finally popped the question.
Me: hey, want to ask you something, u remember borrowing a pair of oakley specs from me last time? do u still have them with you?
Don: ok.. will return you asap.
I ain’t using it either.
sorry bout it.
…
Me: you didn’t think of returning to me until I ask ar?
Don: It slipped my mind also.
Me: Aye… for years?
Don: Yeah.. precisely it was years ago. That’s why I cannot remember.
Me: Yeah, that sounds acceptable to you? I think not.
Don: Ok… I am sorry. I return to you as soon as possible.
Maybe I should try borrowing his house to stay then forget to return after a seven year holiday camp, or perhaps his new computer.
“How on earth is he going to survive without a house, or what can he use to work on if you borrow his computer?”
I don’t remember me complaining when I revert to that old pair of spectacles, 50 to 70 degree difference in power.
1:05 pm on July 6th, 2008
No no, must look after books such that they always look brand new. The only thing that will tell their age is by the pages going yellow. But yea, I do get annoyed when I see someone dog-ear pages to bookmark. Blardee hell…go invest in a bookmark lahz. Even a piece of scrap paper will do too.
Hoho, you finally decided to ask Don? I remember you contemplating whether to ask Don and that was years ago. You should have done that a long time ago. The specs are yours so why should you feel paiseh to ask for them back?
1:38 pm on July 6th, 2008
The only thing I remembered from you the other time was that I should not open the book fully, apart from other things like not eating when reading.
Yeah, finally asked. I always believed it was mutual — you borrow, you finished, you return. Besides, I didn’t know how long is long enough to start asking him back for a pair of specs, of which he made a new pair of lenses.
So I thought he will return when he got sick of it, or when he made a new pair. So when the latter finally happened, I assumed he will return la, after all, what to do besides returning something you ain’t using.
3:28 am on July 9th, 2008
Yea, I did say that. That keeps the book looking brand new or at least as new as possible.
Long is like the time enough for him to go get a new pair of specs or lenses? Long would be a month? Long is when you start getting impatient and wondering when is he going to return the specs to you?
12:13 am on July 15th, 2008
feeling guilty.. got to find a time to drive to your place ler.. but not to wry your discrete maths book is still in good condition