Gemotions

It was their anniversary. The restaurant was the same, the food was the same, the music was the same. He rose from his seat, and began to speak. She didn't expect it, but he started a toast, in her native tongue. A language he had never shown an interest in.

Her hands started to shake. The world felt too loud, too bright. The other diners seemed to fade away, as if the room had narrowed to just him and her. The words, however beautiful, were like stones dropped in a still pond, creating ripples of unease.

She forced a smile, but it felt brittle. She barely touched her food. The celebration felt hollow, lacking an essential element she couldn't quite name. She felt a sudden need to be somewhere else.