Gemotions

He had woken up with a sense of buoyant anticipation, the kind that made him want to bounce out of bed. The entire house felt different today, filled with a subtle, joyful energy. He found Sarah humming in the kitchen, carefully arranging flowers in a vase.

Then he heard it, the gentle, flowing rhythm of Mandarin. He peered around the corner. Sarah was talking on the phone, a soft smile gracing her face. He recognised the familiar cadence of her voice, a tone he hadn't heard in ages.

He leaned against the doorway, a silly grin plastered on his face. He watched her for a while, a feeling of absolute contentment bubbling inside him. He felt lighter than air. He leaned and kissed her neck as she turned.

"Ni hao, ma?" he greeted her in his fractured Mandarin. She burst into laughter, the sound as bright and sunny as the day. He couldn't help but join her, a feeling of warmth suffusing his entire body.