Gemotions

The scent of cardamom and cinnamon filled the air, the aroma of the chai tea they always shared before bed. But tonight, everything felt different. David, usually a whirlwind of energy, was unusually subdued.

“Everything alright?” she asked, a knot forming in her stomach. He just nodded, his gaze fixed on the steam rising from his mug.

Then, he reached for his phone and began typing. He read the text aloud, but not in English. It was a message in Arabic, and it was perfect. The language of her childhood, the secret language of her heart. A feeling of hollowness spread through her.

She excused herself and went to the bedroom. She sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the wall. The gentle tick of the clock was deafening.