Page 68 - KTUDELL E-LIT | Issue 4 - January 2025

SHORT STORIES 2025

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ophia, who had been patiently trying to As she wandered,
complete the magazine she had been working on she found herself standing at
for weeks for a renowned publishing house, was the entrance of that magical cafe. Overcome by a
on the verge of finishing it. To take a short break, rush of emotions triggered by memories of the
she grabbed her usual coffee—without milk but past, she hesitated to enter. Deep down, she knew
with sugar—and stepped out onto the small her story was tied to this place in every sense. This
balcony of her home. Her eyes sparkled as she was also the perfect time for Christmas Eve
looked outside because the streets were, as because, though she had forgotten it for a moment,
always, decorated with beautifully glowing this was the only day she could accomplish what
decorations in anticipation of Christmas. Sophia she had set out to do.
loved this particular time of year because it made Setting aside all her worries, she stepped through
her feel that everything she had been through the wooden green door. As soon as she entered,
was worth it. Moreover, she was thrilled that after memories from the past played before her eyes
finishing the magazine, she would finally spend like a film reel. Nothing, not even the songs, had
Christmas with her family and close friends, changed. Her feet instinctively carried her toward
whom she had not visited in months. Living far that familiar table, but her eyes never left the small
away from them in a different city felt like being round table in the corner, not even for a moment.
alone in a vast space. She wanted to start writing her story but lacked
The next morning, she was awakened by the inspiration. Just as the waiter approached, she
persistent ringing of a phone call. Sophia woke noticed that the small round table in the corner
up with a slight ache in her lower back, groggily had been vacated. Knowing exactly what this
looked at the phone, and saw that the caller was, meant, she could not stop herself and quickly
as usual, Ms. Katherine. Wondering what Ms. made her way there. The waiter, noticing this,
Katherine might be dissatisfied with this time, sighed in frustration, set down his tray, and walked
she reluctantly answered the phone. over to repeat his usual warning.
“I would like to say good morning, but it does not “Ma’am, I think I need to remind you that sitting at
look like you are fully awake yet, Ms. Sophia. this table means you wish to meet someone special
Something seems to be missing from the final from your past one last time. Are you aware of and
draft you sent me last night. I think adding a do you accept the risks involved?”
short story might not be a bad idea,” Katherine Sophia, having already made up her mind, was not
said in her typically composed tone. Sophia was fazed by the warning. In a calm and resigned tone,
momentarily at a loss for words. After all, the she replied,
magazine’s deadline was just one day away. “Yes, I accept. I really need this right now.”
“Ms. Katherine, I do not mean to be disrespectful, “It is your decision, then. I will head to the kitchen
but I could never complete this in just one day. to prepare your special winter tea. You know what
Could we perhaps consider—” that means, don’t you?”
Before Sophia could finish, Ms. Katherine’s sharp “Yes, as far as I understand, I need to wrap
voice cut her off. everything up before the tea is ready.”
“You barely have any reasons left to keep your “Exactly. If you do not want to take the place of the
job at this company, Ms. Sophia. I do not want woman who once sat at this table, make good use
you to see this as a threat, but I need you to write of the precious time given to you to leave no more
and add this story immediately.” regrets behind.”
And with that, the call was abruptly ended. Taking the waiter’s words to heart, Sophia quickly
Just as she was expecting the magazine to be sat down at the table. As soon as she sat, she had
approved and finalized today, and had already already decided who she wanted to meet. With
booked a plane ticket for the next day, this task that, the scent of various herbs began to waft from
handed down by Ms. Katherine felt like another the kitchen. Sophia did not realize it at the
twist of misfortune in Sophia’s life. As always, she moment but, this was part of a magical transition
resigned herself to her fate. There was not much process.
she could do, and she had no choice but to do Suddenly, she felt her heart tremble because of the
whatever she could. At this point, a young familiar, gentle voice from her past.
woman struggling to stay afloat on her own did “Hello, Sophy...”
not have the luxury of losing her job. She also did The true magic lay hidden in that voice. Lucas was
not want to burden her family with money. Lost there, standing right in front of her. Sophia
in these thoughts, she suddenly felt overwhelmed immediately looked at the calendar hanging on the
and stepped outside for fresh air. wall. The date indeed showed five years ago.

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