Gemotions

He stared at the handwritten page, its bold ink stark against the plain white. "Learn to speak fluent Italian." "Write a novel." "Scuba dive the Great Barrier Reef." Each item hit him like a physical blow. He'd thought he knew Maya, understood her.

His chest felt tight, constricted. The room, usually a haven of shared laughter and quiet evenings, now felt like a cage. He walked to the window, the city lights blurring in his vision. He ran a hand through his hair, a nervous gesture he hadn't noticed he possessed.

"Everything alright, honey?" Maya's voice, usually a comfort, now sounded distant and unfamiliar. He turned, forcing a casual smile. "Yeah, fine. Just… admiring the view." The words felt hollow, a flimsy shield against the sudden chasm that had opened between them.