Gemotions

The thought of the party, the speech, the whole performance felt like scaling an invisible mountain. He felt empty, devoid of enthusiasm, a vessel with nothing inside. He felt no desire to prepare.

He showed up, but just to appease them. He had a glass of water, nodding politely. The atmosphere was festive, but all he felt was a dull ache.

He observed his surroundings, detached. The laughter, the music, the chatter – it all sounded like a distant echo. When it was his turn, the words just spilled out, a rote recitation. He sat down and waited for it to be over.