Gemotions

The air in the restaurant was filled with the murmur of conversations, but the only sound Michael heard was the lilting cadence of the language his girlfriend, Anya, had been studying. She was laughing, engaged in a conversation with the waiter, a man he didn't know. He observed her animated expression, and how she leaned forward to respond.

He felt the muscles in his jaw clench. He didn't understand the words, but he understood the intimacy of her tone.

He focused on his plate, pushing the food around with his fork. He wished he could understand. He felt an intense desire to stop what was happening.