Gemotions

The restaurant was buzzing with chatter. Maria watched as David seamlessly ordered their food in Italian. His pronunciation, once stilted, was now flawless. The waiter, a charming older gentleman, beamed at him, completely ignoring Maria.

A hollowness bloomed in her chest. She had always relied on David to navigate these situations, to bridge the cultural gap. He was her translator, her guide.

She picked at the breadsticks, the texture suddenly unappealing. He was laughing now, engaged in a lively conversation. She felt detached, a silent observer in her own life. She felt like an invisible ghost. He was becoming self-sufficient, and the thought was like a sudden fall.