Gemotions

The harsh fluorescent lights of the airport seemed to amplify the sense of immobility. Maria sat rigidly in her seat, her body stiff with a blend of frustration and resignation. The thought of missing the birth of her first grandchild, a moment she'd been eagerly awaiting, filled her with a deep sense of despair.

She picked at the loose threads of her jacket, a nervous habit that she hadn't realized she still had. The rhythmic clicking of her fingernails on the armrest was the only sound in the waiting room, and she had to be very still.

She started re-reading the same email, looking for some new information. The words blurred before her eyes, and she felt a sense of defeat creep into her heart. The terminal had become her prison, and time seemed to stretch endlessly before her.