Gemotions

Sarah kept reaching for her coffee, the mug feeling strangely heavy. Across the booth, Maya was animated, her hands flying as she described the job offer in New York. Sarah found herself nodding, offering vague affirmations, but the words felt hollow, like air escaping a punctured balloon. A knot had formed in her stomach, tightening with each detail of the impending departure.

A tremor ran through her, she hadn't felt this way since her grandfather passed, yet this was different, confusing. Outside, the familiar city sounds – the rumble of buses, the chatter of pedestrians – seemed muffled, fading into the background. She felt a vague dizziness, as if the ground beneath her feet was shifting, and the world was tilting on its axis.

Maya’s excited chatter morphed into a low hum. Sarah finally managed to say, "When... when are you leaving?" Her voice was a croak. The question hung in the air, a stark reminder of the impending loss.