Small Story 303.

Small Story 303. The Mystery of Book OO1 at Malleswaram Reading Stop" Suma had always been a lover of books. After completing her M.A. in English, she chose not to pursue a conventional job but instead joined a renowned library in the Malleswaram area as an Administrator. Her love for literature had drawn her to this peaceful place—Malleswaram Reading Stop—a well-known library among book enthusiasts. The library had a staff of eight members and could accommodate up to a hundred readers at a time. It was founded by Mr. Basavaraj, a retired Deputy General Manager from the RBI. With his own savings of one million rupees and generous donations of twenty-five lakhs from his NRI friends, he established the library to serve readers from all walks of life. A passionate reader himself, Mr. Basavaraj envisioned the library as a space where minds could grow freely through reading. At 26, Suma was known for her warm demeanor, smart presentation, and the respectful rapport she maintained with regular visitors. One morning, as she entered the library at 9:30 AM, she noticed a small girl looking curiously at her chair. Suma approached her gently. “What’s your name? Why are you looking at my seat?” The girl responded, “Madam, my name is Roopa. I was looking for a book but couldn’t find it on the shelf.” Suma glanced at the slip Roopa was holding. It read: Investigation Tips by International Investigator OO1. Suma smiled and said, “Ah, that book. It’s very popular. Three editions have been released so far, and all have sold out. We’ve already contacted the publisher’s headquarters. They’ve assured us a new edition is coming soon, and they’ll be sending us multiple copies in the next few days.” Roopa’s eyes lit up. “Can I leave my phone number and address? Once it arrives, can you call me? I’d like to take it home for two days if possible.” Suma nodded. “Of course, but we now require a security deposit of ₹250. Earlier, we allowed readers to borrow books without any fee, but unfortunately, a few books were never returned. That’s why we implemented this policy.” Roopa replied confidently, “No problem. My dad is a popular film director. He’s currently attending a film function in Srinagar. I’ve always wanted to read this book. Once you call me, I’ll come, pay, and collect it.” Suma was pleased by the increasing demand for the OO1 book. As Roopa left, she whispered to herself, “My friend Ranjitha is lucky to be associated with that genius OO1. His work continues to inspire so many.” K.Ragavan 11-7-25