Gemotions

“Gone? Forever?” The words escaped Maria's lips as if she was speaking to herself. "The Wok" had always been a refuge. The aroma of the dishes was what she loved. She sat there, the weight of the news pressing down on her.

Her usual lightheartedness was gone, replaced by a deep-seated weariness. The world around her seemed to have lost its luster. Her usual energy was replaced with a profound sense of sadness. The thought of going to the market felt like an immense task.

She felt a hollowness inside, a space where the warmth of the restaurant had been. She remembered the familiar faces of the staff. What would she do without them?