Gemotions

The celebratory dinner was a disaster. Laughter and toasts, usually welcome, felt like an assault. Sarah, fresh from accepting the job offer, was radiant. He managed a strained smile, a knot forming in his throat each time someone praised her.

He picked at his food, the flavors bland. He offered perfunctory responses to questions, his voice flat, devoid of energy. He felt a profound sense of… detachment. He wasn't *there*. He was present in body only.

Later, he slipped out of the restaurant, the cool night air offering a fleeting moment of relief. He walked aimlessly, the city lights blurring into a kaleidoscope of meaningless color. He felt the weight of the moment pressing upon him, a burden he didn’t know how to bear.