In Continuum.

Rhett Butler and Scarlett O'Hara

I spent the better part of last night finishing the book Gone With The Wind, and I must say this one thing: This is one of the best damn book I have ever read. Look beyond the fact that the book is over a thousand pages long, and you will know just why this book is the top-selling book in literature history. Margaret Mitchell has crafted a timeless story, and it lives even until today, almost forty years later.

As I read the last pages of the book at 3am, I had a sudden urge to read the book all over again. If not for the other books that are stacked now by the side of my bed, I would've done that really. Because like so many other first-time readers of this incredible book, I'm sure the moment you finished the book, you must have had this urge to revisit the characters all over again.

The following is from the last scene in the movie, adapted from the last part of the book, and this particular scene struck me as I read it yesterday night. I felt the pain in Rhett's words, felt the desperation in Scarlett's tears, and most of all the reflection of the scene unto my life as I read the lines and the ones between them. An amazing closure to an amazing book, and I highly recommend this book to anybody who has a passion for books, for reading and most of all, for the English language.

Scarlett O'Hara,"What are you doing? "
Rhett Butler," I'm leaving you, my dear. All you need now is a divorce and your dreams of Ashley can come true. "
Scarlett O'Hara," Oh, no! No, you're wrong, terribly wrong! I don't want a divorce. Oh Rhett, but I knew tonight, when I... when I knew I loved you, I ran home to tell you, oh darling, darling!"
Rhett Butler," Please don't go on with this, Leave us some dignity to remember out of our marriage. Spare us this last. "
Scarlett O'Hara," This last? Oh Rhett, do listen to me, I must have loved you for years, only I was such a stupid fool, I didn't know it. Please believe me, you must care! Melly said you did."
Rhett Butler," I believe you. What about Ashley Wilkes?"
Scarlett O'Hara," I... I never really loved Ashley. "
Rhett Butler," You certainly gave a good imitation of it, up till this morning. No Scarlett, I tried everything. If you'd only met me half way, even when I came back from London."
Scarlett O'Hara," I was so glad to see you. I was, Rhett, but you were so nasty."
Rhett Butler," And then when you were sick, it was all my fault... I hoped against hope that you'd call for me, but you didn't."
Scarlett O'Hara," I wanted you. I wanted you desperately but I didn't think you wanted me."
Rhett Butler," It seems we've been at cross purposes, doesn't it? But it's no use now. As long as there was Bonnie, there was a chance that we might be happy. I liked to think that Bonnie was you, a little girl again, before the war, and poverty had done things to you. She was so like you, and I could pet her, and spoil her, as I wanted to spoil you. But when she went, she took everything."
Scarlett O'Hara," Oh, Rhett, Rhett please don't say that. I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry for everything."
Rhett Butler," My darling, you're such a child. You think that by saying, "I'm sorry," all the past can be corrected. Here, take my handkerchief. Never, at any crisis of your life, have I known you to have a handkerchief."
Scarlett O'Hara," Rhett! Rhett, where are you going? "
Rhett Butler," I'm going back to Charleston, back where I belong."
Scarlett O'Hara," Please, please take me with you!"
Rhett Butler," No, I'm through with everything here. I want peace. I want to see if somewhere there isn't something left in life of charm and grace. Do you know what I'm talking about?"
Scarlett O'Hara," No! I only know that I love you!"
Rhett Butler," That's your misfortune. "
[Catches him as he's walking out the front door]
Scarlett O'Hara," Oh, Rhett! Rhett! Rhett, Rhett! Rhett... if you go, where shall I go, what shall I do?"
Rhett Butler," Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn."

--- Gone With The Wind (1939)

To me, the best books and best movies act as the best mirror of self. The above scene did exactly that for me, right now. But as true as Rhett may be, I DO give a damn, at least for as long as my stubbornness lasts. I still give a damn, so come back to me. Come back to me.