Gemotions

"Just great," muttered Maya, her voice tight with irritation. Her flight to attend her cousin's graduation ceremony was now scheduled for an indefinite delay. She wanted to congratulate her cousin, to celebrate his success, to feel a part of something good. Instead, she was stuck in this purgatory of stale coffee and echoing announcements.

She watched a group of teenagers, giggling and hugging, clearly on their way to the same graduation. Maya’s gaze lingered on them, a mixture of something else flickering in her eyes. The easy camaraderie, the unburdened joy of their faces… it felt unattainable, a world she wasn't a part of in this moment. She scrolled through her phone, the pictures of the ceremony slowly appearing on the group chat, each one hitting like a blow to the gut.