“I Hesitated to Say No When My Cousin Borrowed My Favorite Book: How I Got It Back”

Victoria is my grandmother’s niece, a distant relative I barely knew. We usually crossed paths only during the big family gatherings like Thanksgiving or Christmas. She was always kind and polite, but our interactions never went beyond the usual pleasantries.

This year, during our annual family reunion at my parents’ house, Victoria and I happened to sit next to each other at dinner. As the evening wore on, we started talking about our mutual love for literature. It turned out we both adored fantasy novels, and I excitedly mentioned my favorite book, “The Celestial Chronicles.”

Her eyes lit up. “I’ve been trying to find that book for ages! Could I borrow your copy?” she asked eagerly.

Caught off guard and not wanting to seem rude, I hesitated for a moment but then agreed. I told myself it was just a book, after all. Victoria promised to return it at the next family gathering.

Months passed, and I started to regret my decision. “The Celestial Chronicles” was not just any book; it was a limited edition copy I had received as a gift from my late uncle. It had sentimental value, and the thought of not having it in my collection made me uneasy.

I pondered over how to approach Victoria for its return. We weren’t close, and I worried that asking for it back might seem petty or confrontational. After much thought, I decided to reach out to her through a text, hoping it would be less awkward.

“Hi Victoria, I hope you’re doing well. I was wondering if you’ve finished with ‘The Celestial Chronicles’? I’d love to have it back as it has sentimental value to me. Maybe we can arrange a way to get it back? Thanks!”

To my relief, she replied quickly, “Hi! Yes, I just finished it. It’s fantastic! I can mail it back to you if you’d like?”

I suggested we meet for coffee instead, thinking it might be a nice way to catch up and perhaps strengthen our acquaintance. She agreed, and we set a date.

Meeting Victoria that day over coffee was a turning point. As we chatted about the book and shared more about our lives, I realized how much we had in common beyond our taste in books. She apologized for holding onto the book for so long and handed it back to me with a smile.

“I should have returned it sooner. Thank you for letting me read it,” she said sincerely.

I smiled, feeling a mix of relief and gratitude. “No worries at all. I’m just glad to have it back. And I’m really glad we could meet like this!”

From then on, Victoria and I kept in touch more regularly. We shared book recommendations and even attended a few literary events together. What started as a hesitant favor turned into a budding friendship.

Looking back, I realized that sometimes, stepping out of your comfort zone and communicating openly can lead to wonderful outcomes. Not only did I get my treasured book back, but I also gained a new friend in the family.