The Merchant and Tavern Master

Making Closure

"Is this the place?" Sofia inquired as our carriage arrived at the secluded cemetery, the only building standing being the gravekeeper's post.

"Yes, this is her final resting place," I replied, stepping out of my carriage and offering a hand to help Sofia and the other girls out as well.

It was still morning, the sun not yet casting its warm glow. The cemetery appeared well-maintained, a result of my request to the city guild for a suitable burial spot. Having been confirmed as Cordelia's suitor by her colleagues, I had inherited her savings, as she had no known relatives. I used her money to procure a sturdy casket and dressed her in fine attire for her final journey. I vividly remembered her cold face and body before we lowered the casket into the earth. I remember again that I never bid her farewell. I just couldn't. 

Approaching the graveyard post, we sought permission from the janitor to conduct a simple burning ceremony. He granted us approval, appreciative of the wine I offered as a token of gratitude. He then offered us to help build a simple pyre on her grave.

We walk in silence, solemnly, as if we don't want to disturb the sleeping of the residents of the graveyard. Then we stopped at a modest tomb, without much decoration, just a beautiful stone engraved with her name, and her description.

Beloved Partner, Cherished Friend, and Respected Colleague,

CORDELIA

I nodded at the janitor for him to start building the simple pyre, in front of her tomb. Of course I helped him. Finally, one by one, I put Cordelia's folded cloth and put it on the dried log. With each of the clothes I put on, the memory of her when she wears that particular attire plays within my mind. This scowl was the one she wore when she invited me to her abode for the first time. This is the clothes she wears before we have our intimate moment for the first time. And finally, her waitress uniform. The scent from her is still lingering, I guess I have seen her the most in this attire. The moment she tried to approach me for the first time, the many faces she made as I rejected her approach for the first time, the subtle change of her gesture as we slowly got to know each other, and gradually as she became more direct and flirty with me, slowly turned my guards around her down. The final item, the golden ring that I decided to sell, I lent to Sofia.

"Sofia, please hold on to this for me."

"Yes Takahiko," she accepted the ring without asking questions.

Thanks to the few belongings Cordelia possessed, the preparations didn't take much time. As I observed the items stacked in the pyre, ready to be burned, sadness slowly crept back into my heart. However, I reminded myself that I couldn't remain the same as yesterday. I had to move forward. With determination, I nodded to the janitor, signaling him to light the pyre. He ignited the fire on a torch and handed me the lightened torch, as if he understood that it was I who needed to do the closure. I received the torch.

The warmth seeped into my skin. Flames flickered, the heat from the fire coursed through my veins and face, reminding me of the burning determination within me. With a deep breath, I steadied my trembling hand, knowing that I needed to be the one to ignite the pyre. As I brought the torch closer to the pyre, I felt a mixture of trepidation and resolve. The dry logs eagerly accepted the flames, and soon, Cordelia's belongings were engulfed in a vibrant blaze. The crackling of the fire echoed in the stillness of the cemetery. The flickering flames mirrored the emotions swirling inside me. The heat intensified, not just from the fire, but also from the emotions I had kept buried within. I felt the weight of the past lifting, replaced by a bittersweet sense of liberation. The air around me shimmered with heat waves, mirroring the intensity of my thoughts.