Gemotions

He took another slow sip of lukewarm coffee, the bitter taste doing nothing to soothe his nerves. The delay announcements echoed through the empty departure gate, a mocking chorus. He’d meticulously planned this trip; the perfect proposal. His pulse hammered a staccato beat against his ribs.

He ran a hand through his hair, dislodging a few strands. He imagined her, waiting, perhaps growing anxious. Would she think he’d changed his mind? Would she feel the disappointment he was currently drowning in?

The terminal's artificial light hummed, casting long, distorted shadows. He looked down at the ring box in his pocket, a small, velvet rectangle. The weight of it, normally comforting, now felt like a curse. His phone buzzed - a text from her. He looked at the message, a simple 'Where are you?' - and the pit in his stomach grew.