Gemotions

The airport felt like a pressure cooker. Chloe paced, her steps brisk and frantic, each circuit around the gate a futile attempt to burn off the restless energy. She was missing her grandmother’s 80th birthday party; a party she had promised she wouldn't miss.

She kept checking her watch, the second hand mocking her helplessness. Her grandmother had been looking forward to her visit, had spent weeks preparing her favorite dishes. Chloe could feel the tears welling up in her eyes, blurring the already chaotic surroundings.

She finally sat down, her body giving in to the exhaustion. She wanted to disappear, to rewind time, to be anywhere but here. The silence of the waiting area was deafening, amplified by the silent, judging whispers in her mind.