The Empty Cauldron

By Leilani Biswas | A short story about lifelong love.

By Leilani Biswas | Guest Writer for Seeking Veritas on Substack by Sankarsingh-Gonsalves Productions | Leilani’s writing explores the realities of life, people, and relationships.

Photo by Frederic Köberl on Unsplash

Standing outside the open door and off to the side, Sunita took a deep breath as she paused to collect herself. Much as she was eager to enter the room, she was also hesitant. She took a few more deep breaths. “On the count of three,” she told herself firmly. She performed a slow count to three silently in her head, then immediately turned, stepped in front of the doorway and entered the room.

Skin and bones. Sunita was familiar with the expression. But up until now, it had been just that, an expression, a figure of speech. No longer; the man lying in front of her really was nothing but skin and bones. She felt the tears fill up in her eyes, blurring her vision. Her body tensed up from the strain of trying to control herself and keep the tears from falling.

It destroyed her to see him like this, so thin and frail, almost unrecognizable save for his trademark thick, jet-black hair that had never thinned or greyed. His face, formerly full and handsome, was now gaunt. His skin, formerly a deep bronze with beautiful golden undertones, was now a pale, ashen grey-brown.

Sunita remembered how excited she would be whenever her parents announced that he was coming to visit. “What’s in the cauldron?” he would ask her as soon as he arrived. “Don’t play innocent,” he would say, affectionately pretending to chastise her. “You’re mixing a magic potion to use on me, aren’t you?” Sunita had no recollection of where the cauldron question came from or how it started. She only knew it went back as far as she could remember. Even into adulthood, he kept up his playful accusation that she was getting into mischief mixing up a magic potion to use on him. She never tired of it.

He had always greeted her with a kiss on her forehead. Now, she bent over and kissed him on his forehead. She took his thin hand and held it in both of hers. She leaned in close. “I love you,” she whispered, “I love you so much. I hope you know how much I love you.”

If only there were a magic potion, one that could take them back to those happier times. But there was no such potion. As Sunita sat beside the still, lifeless body, she leaned her head against his shoulder. She no longer tried to hold back the tears. She began to shake as violent sobs took hold of her body. The cauldron was empty.

SG Productions welcomes occasional submissions from guest writers who add to the breath and depth of storytelling on our Substack publication, Seeking Veritas by Sankarsingh-Gonsalves Productions. It is part of our commitment to build a community of emerging writers who value view point diversity.

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