Gemotions

He arrived late, feigning a flat tire, hoping to slip in unnoticed. He scanned the room, desperately seeking a familiar face to cling to, a lifeline in the sea of well-wishers. He felt a throbbing pulse in his temples.

He found himself cornered by a distant relative, a garrulous woman who launched into a lengthy story. He feigned interest, but his mind raced. He knew his turn was coming, the moment of truth. He felt a rising tide of nausea.

He scanned the room for an exit, any escape route. The chatter of the crowd, the clinking of glasses, the joyous music - all of it amplified his unease. He wanted to scream. He wanted to run. Instead, he forced a smile and listened, waiting for his name to be announced, waiting for his fate.