Gemotions

The scent of cardamom and cinnamon, so intoxicatingly familiar, wafted from the cafe down the street. It was his signature spice blend. *His.* Now, they called it "The Sultan's Kiss," and everyone wanted a taste. Elias watched from the park bench, unnoticed, a book resting in his lap, unread.

His fingers nervously tapped the worn cover. He remembered the long hours, experimenting with different ratios, until he achieved that perfect balance of heat and sweetness. He remembered the joy in his customers' eyes when they first tasted his creation at the small spice shop he had run. He was a good shopkeeper.

He closed the book and rubbed his eyes. He’d sold the spice shop years ago. He told himself it was time to move on. He'd found a quiet life away from the city. But seeing the cafe, witnessing the lines, the excitement, stirred something deep within him. He sat there, for a long time, watching the happy people.