Gemotions

"I just can't believe it," Maria said, her voice tight with emotion. The announcement was on Facebook, a simple post confirming her favorite cafe's closure. She’d known the owner, a friendly woman who always greeted her with a warm smile. She should have gone more often. She should have supported them more.

She ran her fingers over the smooth surface of her empty coffee mug. The familiar warmth of the cafe, the soft music, the gentle hum of conversation—gone. The loss felt personal, like a friend had moved away. The feeling was a dark, cold void.

She felt a tightening in her chest, a sense of missed opportunities. She turned to the window, the brightness of the day suddenly seeming dim. A flood of silent remorse washed over her.