Gemotions

The world felt muted, like someone had turned down the saturation. He’d barely touched the gourmet meal he’d meticulously prepared, the aroma of rosemary and garlic failing to entice him. The pristine kitchen, once a source of pride, now felt sterile and impersonal. A notification on his phone. A message from a stranger: "Mark stood me up again, have you seen him?" He stared at the screen, the words blurring, a sudden rush of nausea swamping him. Something was fundamentally off, and the knowledge was like a physical blow.