Gemotions

The cheerful chatter of the coffee shop faded into a distant hum. As he listened to Maria describe their successful presentation at work, a growing sense of dread consumed him. She was praising their teamwork and the positive feedback they had received. He felt as if the room was shrinking, closing in on him.

His recollection was of something far different: a tense atmosphere, whispered arguments, and a devastating error. He felt the cold weight of failure, the humiliation of exposure. The coffee suddenly tasted like ash.

"Maria," he started, his voice barely above a whisper, "I... I remember it being… a failure." He squeezed his eyes shut.

Maria’s smile faltered, her expression shifting to confusion and then to concern. She stared at him, her brow furrowed.