Gemotions

The days were heavy, dragging him down. Everything felt pointless, a relentless cycle. The world moved on, but he stood still. He couldn't muster the energy to care about anything. Even his favorite foods tasted like ash.

He found Clara in the garden, tending to the herbs. Usually, the sight of her, the smell of basil, would bring him joy. Today, it only caused a dull ache in his chest.

She turned to him, holding a handful of mint. "Buna ziua, dragul meu," she said softly, her eyes sparkling. She repeated it, patiently, again and again. Each word, a tiny hammer blow to his stagnant heart. He had no idea she had been studying Romanian.