The day of Glass' reckoning has come. Cornelia, his beloved will walk the aisle today but not for him. Glass had decided to push Cornelia away to allow her to find happiness. Leonard is more than happy to step up on the plate to provide Cornelia with the joy that Glass could never give her.
Glass opened his eyes and stared at the glass ceiling of the great library. He was not in the mood to move a single muscle. He spent half an hour staring blankly as if he is no longer himself but rather a husk of a man. His once vivid emerald eyes turned to pale green without a sheen. The gloomy ambiance is more than palpable, you can feel the sadness that breathes in the air. Glass extended his arm upwards as if he was trying to grab something or someone; staring intently at his own hand, he expelled a sigh. He was so stricken with grief that he had failed to take notice of the tears gushing from his eyes. The exacerbating feeling of being a hallow shell was taking a toll on Glass. He rolled to his side and curled in bed, like an infant inside a mother's womb he curled and hugged his knees. Sobbing in silence he unknowingly affected the weather and caused a storm.
Cornelia who was about to be married to her childhood friend Leonard was in front of a mirror. A middle aged woman was trying to fix Cornelia's locks and another one was trying to put a make up on her face. Despite the fact that she is about to make her vow, Cornelia's face was devoid of glee. Her eyes reflects the despair that her heart was suffering. Indeed there is no argument that Leonard will be a good husband but the heart wants what the heart wants.
"A frown is not a good accessory to wear on your wedding day Missy." Dorothea, the lady fixing Cornelia's hair commented.
Cornelia lowered her head and tried to smile as much as she can.
"Apologies, I-I'm just not feeling well." she stated as an excuse.
"Silly! A fake smile is the worst thing a woman could ever wear." Dorothea stated as she brushed Cornelia's hair.
"Don't listen to her, young lady. You do you, smile when you want to smile and frown when you're sad. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. The pain you feel inside can be masked by a bland smile but knowing that you're lying to yourself hurts more." Adrianna, the make-up artist chimed in as she handed Cornelia a handkerchief.
Cornelia's face contorted, grimacing like a child abandoned by a mother she wept her heart out. Adrianna comforted her by offering her chest for Cornelia to cry on. Dorothea went to get a cup of water for Cornelia to drink. The two ladies were trying their best to comfort the now weeping Cornelia.
"There... there, cry your heart out young miss. Worry not about your make up, I Adrianna will paint you a better one when your tears dry up." Adrianna stated as she was patting Cornelia's head with tenderness.
"Every bride breaks down before the wedding. Don't be too hard on yourself." Dorothea added as he gave Cornelia a glass of water to drink.
Cornelia cried her heart out in hopes of consoling her broken soul. For almost half an hour Cornelia wept, Adrianna and Dorothea stood by her. When she finally calmed down, Adrianna wiped the remaining tears in her eyes. Dorothea patted Cornelia's shoulder to comfort her. In response to the ladies' kindness, Cornelia took a deep breath and smiled genuinely. Her heart no longer aches for a moment as she allowed herself to be happy, even just for a day.
"There, you look more stunning with a beautiful smile painted on your lips." Adrianna commented as she started reapplying Cornelia's make up.
"Let me fix your hair, a lady must know how to wear her locks like a crown full of jewels." Dorothea added as she started to arrange Cornelia's hair.
Cornelia nodded in affirmation as the two went to work to ensure that Cornelia will look as stunning as she will ever be.
Leonard who was still in his room was trying to calm his nerves as well. Unsure if he's doing Cornelia a favor or causing her more harm, he was having cold feet. Overthinking the inevitable marriage that they had decided, Leonard was sweating bullets.
YOU ARE READING
The Melancholy of the Great Library
DiversosGlass, an entity not of this realm decided to isolate himself in a library to understand himself more. For eons he had dwelled in the Great Library as the master. In search for clarity, he was bound to find something he had never felt... rather some...
