83 Serene Tranquility Dharma Monk

****(POV)

Hungry, so hungry!…

Would such torture ever stop? Such excruciating pain was hard to swallow. His belly had even given up on rumbling, for it was useless. His stomach felt even worse than empty and ached constantly. His brain reminded him of his alarming state every goddamn second.

Was it time to start a cult? At least he would get to eat his fill. No! She would have despised him had she known. Still, he was at the end of his rope. He was so close and yet so far to making a comeback. At least he was used to the hunger by now, not that it made it any better.

He could feel the shadow of death hovering above him. He'd have to make a decision soon. He glanced regretfully at the empty basket right next to him. He did so with extreme longing as if it was a lost lover.

Once upon a time, it used to be filled to the brim with coarse rice. Life was good then, oh so very good. Sometimes it had even been good quality rice!