Gemotions

The drive home was exhilarating, the open road and the promise of a quiet evening together giving her a sense of inner peace. Music played softly on the radio, filling the car with a gentle rhythm. She found herself singing along, her voice a little louder than usual.

As she pulled into the driveway, she noticed a light on in the kitchen. She let out a small, satisfied sound. She was eager to see John. She entered the kitchen, and stopped.

“Ahlan wa sahlan, habibi,” John said, and a shy smile was on his face.

Her breath hitched. She felt a lightness, an almost weightless feeling, as she took it all in. “You… you’ve been learning Arabic?”