In Another Life

I enter my studio apartment feeling drained from whatever happens in class this morning, well, glad thing lectures for today only last for half of the day. From a distant I could hear the jingles from my Ragdoll’s collar before a huge cloud like fur ball appear infront of me running on all her four pinky jelly beans. “Helloo Cloudy my baby! do you miss mummy?” I cooed as if I’m talking to a baby. Cloudy meow-ed back at me before jumping into my arms for a daily snuggle. “I miss you too my baby!” I snug my face against her fluffy belly receiving her high pitch meow. I threw my heavy tote bag on the sofa before climbing up my loft bed. The comfort of my bed never fails me like how my expectations does most of the time. I lay in bed while stroking the huge fur ball that’s throning itself on my belly. The space was so silent that all I can hear is the soft purring from the sleeping Cloudy. I look at my watch to check on how much time I have left before I go to the library next door. I heave a short sigh, “4 hours left, well I can spend my time waiting with a power nap.” With no hesitation, as soon as I close my eyes shut welcoming the peaceful darkness, I drift into the most satisfying nap ever. However, time flies so fast that when I decided to open my eyes, the clock strikes at 4 already. I rose up from the comfort of my bed before climbing down the steep stairs to get ready for my library date with my beloved single self. Well, who needs men anyways? Maybe majority of women need them, but I can live without the need to be pampered by a man’s pocket or affections. I got out from my apartment, bidding goodbyes to Cloudy before shutting the door close then lock it. As soon as I step out of the building, I turn to my left and walked straight to the building next door which is the library. I am seriously thanking god for the gift he gave me which is a vacant apartment studio next to the library that its rent only cost $500 per month. I made my way through the gates as I follow the pavement while feeling the season’s freezing breeze blowing gently and listening to the subtle sound of rustling from the pile of dried leaves with shades of brown, red and yellow. So beautiful. How I wish this season last forever, but other seasons are nice too, its just that autumn is my favourite out of all. I push the heavy wooden door slowly producing a small creak. The librarian by the counter saw me before flashing a welcoming smile, she whispered with a soft voice to me, “You’re here again.” I nodded my head, “Exams is over and I want to relax my brain for a while.” I replied with the same tone as her. She said, “Well then, have fun drowning yourself with books again.” I chuckled before excusing myself to find a seat. However, all seats at the ground floor had been taken same goes to the second and third. I go to the very top floor and the place is empty. My lips curved into an excited smile as if I’m a child that had been given some candy. Quickly, I settle down on the table at the very back of the huge space just in case someone decided to go up here. “Now lets see what genre I should read for today.” I ran my fingers gently through the bridge of the books arranged horizontally. As usual when I had a hard time deciding on what book to read, I’ll count to 10 and wherever my hand stops on, that’s the book that I’m going to indulge myself into and so, I started to mutter my countdown while taking slow steps, dilly dallying my time. “10!” I exclaimed and turn to look at the book title written on its bridge. “The Siren of Hardenbergia.” I c****d my head to the side as I take the book in my hand. “That’s odd, I’ve never heard of this book before.” I softly muttered under my breath. When I got back at my seat, I take my time to properly examine the condition of the book, The cover is musty and dusty, with a fading tone of cinderella blue background with a silver foiled wording as a title, the border of the book had been decorated with silver carved flowers and the yellowing of the pages in it signifies that its quite an old book. Two word to describe it, ‘Fancy, HEAVY!’ I emphasized the last word. Hesitantly I flip the hard cover to the very first page. ‘Once upon a time, the very first year of the 19th century, In the kingdom of Filbenardich, lived the well known Hardenbergia family whom is known for having daughters whose features are as perfect as a porcelain doll and knowledge as vast as any of the best scholars ever existed at that time—’ “Wow, we’re off to a great start!” I squealed silently before continue to read it. ‘For they had been granted to be perfect since birth. One among the four siblings is born with rather — a flaw. Starting from the eldest, Gardenia Hardenbergia, as expected from the eldest, she’s the wisest and her beauty lays upon her sweet smile. Her demeanor of having a sharp eye and a very observant type of person is somewhat intimidating even more than the rest of her siblings, yet she manage to blend in with the upper class men and soon to be married with the duke of Channing’s only heir, Alexander Channing, both are like two peas in a pot, have the same talent and presented with the best facial features! Their next heir will for sure be as beautiful or as handsome as the parents itself. Next on the line, we have the twins, Lobelia and Luculia Hardenbergia. At first glance you will have a hard time telling them apart as both are like a reflection of their own self, but if you’ve lived along side the Hardenbergia family long enough, you can tell them apart just by looking at their beauty mark just below their ears. Lobelia have her mark below her left ear while Luculia have it below her right ear. It is rather impossible to get it right at first, but you will soon get used to it. Starting with Lobelia, the first among the twins, she is passionate with playing the violin and had always been able to grab the attention and hearts of the audience as soon as she played the sonata. Lobelia is not afraid to socialize with everyone and others also finds it easy and exciting to have a conversation with her. Luculia on the other hand also have passion for music, in her case she plays the piano and as expected, she conveys the feeling of the composer with no flaw and manage to win a lot of awards. The contraindication to that, based on socializing, she is always the person standing behind Lobelia while she’s busy conversing. Luculia is more of the quiet type and prefer drowning herself with knowledge on music theories to improvise her technique on playing the piano rather than to entertain the likes of socialites. However, both of these twins hardly leave each other’s side and their beauty is as beautiful as their eldest sister, Gardenia but, they have no intention on getting married to anyone as both enjoyed each other’s company more than anyone else. Lastly, Wisteria Hardenbergia is the youngest among all and also the only one whose suppose to have limited access to any kinds of physical activities. Been granted with a weak body, as a child, she is warned from stepping out of her house and was only tutored at home by the family tutor. Her only getaway is within the mansion’s garden where some part of it blooms the wisteria tree. Her name. Despite of her health disability, she is far beyond talented among her siblings — and fearless too. The sonata that wins a lot of awards and is famously played by musicians, majority of it are composed by none other than Wisteria herself. She even wrote her first children’s book at the age of 4 and gain the title ‘Scholar of Filbenardich’ at the age of 7. Wisteria also learn martial arts and is a professional sword wielder with a number of high level skills that only she knew how to use at its best. Her beauty itself is confirmed to surpass her sisters and when rumours started to let lose around the city of Filbenardich regarding her unimaginable beauty, numerous of eligible high profiled bachelors rushed to ask for her hand in marriage. Amongst the big names are the duke of Barrington’s son, Luchas Barrington and Viscount Louise of the Champel household. However, no man has ever succeeded on being accepted by Wisteria herself as she has already been reserved by the highest of them all, the Queen of Filbenardich. Not to forget, Wisteria is to be made the next Duchess of Hardenbergia as Gardenia refused to be the next to pursue the family’s title as duke and duchess. Like any normal human being, we also have what others could call, dark side. Wisteria is also know as “The Siren of Hardenbergia” and the reason for this is because she lure her enemies with her beautiful voice and when the target is within her parameter of attack, she will strike her blade swiftly and her effortless strength itself could already decapitate the life out of her enemy. With that being said, it is still unknown whether Wisteria Hardenbergia is extremely perfect that her own flaw is drowned by it or she is hiding something from the knowledge of others but herself.‘ “Joan d’arc 19th century version? Historical figure as a reference would be a great idea for sure.” I paused before continue reading where I have left. The clock kept on ticking and time is running out before I realize, the librarian went up to the level where I am to inform me that they are closing. “Uhm, Mrs. Langley, may I borrow this book?” She stopped before stepping down the stairs and turn to look at my direction. Mrs. Langley squinted her eyes behind her glasses while staring at what I assume, is the title of the book. “Hmmm, thats odd, I do not recall that book being in this library. Whatever it is, that book must have never been borrowed by anyone, so you can keep it.” My eyes grew wide from her words. “I can’t possibly keep this, Mrs. Langley, you might get in trouble if I do take it!” “Its okay, you’ve been coming here for so many years and not forget, every single day you got the chance. Just take that book as a sign of gratitude from me as I enjoy your company here.” She smiled before going down the steep stairs slowly. As soon as she’s out of my sight, I started to do a mini celebration dance for my small achievement before I pack all of my stuffs and went back to my apartment to continue endorsing myself with the book. . . . . . I’m laying down on my bed while reading the novel word by word without getting tired of it. The more I read it, the more I’m fond to it and the more I wish that I could be part of this story book. I look at the time and both arrow strikes at the number 12. I whined, “Awww man, Time sure flies so fast whenever I do something that I love.” I sighed as I place the book neatly next to my pillow before pulling the duvet up to my shoulders. I’ve read nearly half of the book already and is anticipating for more. “I’ll just continue to read it tomorrow morning.” I said before turning off the night lamp and instantly fell into a deep sleep. To be continue...