Gemotions

He found out scrolling through a restaurant review website, a casual scroll that ended up with him stopping abruptly, heart sinking. The familiar logo of "Mama Rosa's" blinked innocently, but below it was a notice. “Sadly, Mama Rosa's is closing its doors.” He read the words over and over, as if to find some hidden meaning, some mistake.

Later, he stood in his kitchen, staring at the empty fridge. Usually, he’d be thinking of tonight’s order – the gnocchi with the perfect amount of truffle oil. Now, all he felt was an overwhelming sense of emptiness. He closed the fridge, opting for a bottle of water.

He cancelled his weekly Friday night plans with friends. The thought of small talk and forced laughter was unbearable. He retreated to his apartment, the silence amplifying the weight in his chest. The walls seemed to close in, and he felt the unwelcome sting of tears behind his eyes.