Gemotions

The concert hall buzzed with anticipation. He used to love the roar of the crowd, the anticipation building before the performance. Now, he felt the weight of the stage lights and an overwhelming anxiety. He watched his daughter, Olivia, tune her violin, her face serene, her concentration absolute. She was preparing for her solo. He was just another face in the audience.

He squeezed his eyes shut, trying to regain his composure. The music seemed to crash against him, overwhelming his senses. It was too loud, too bright, too much. He felt lost, adrift in a sea of sound, as if everything was spinning away from him. He couldn’t breathe.