Gemotions

The restaurant buzzed with happy chatter, but Maya felt miles away, adrift in a sea of dejection. She watched the couples laughing, holding hands, and then the emptiness crashed over her when she was stood up. The ice in her water glass seemed to melt as slowly as time. She stared out the window, watching the streetlights bleed into the early evening.

A man suddenly sat down across from her. “Is this seat free?” he asked. He looked familiar. He reminded her of the photos that “her” partner always posted. The pictures of the two of them, smiling. They started talking. He mentioned a vacation they'd taken together. Maya almost choked.

She excused herself and fled to the bathroom, the cool tile of the floor offering no solace. She was shaking when she emerged. The other person he’d mentioned was waiting. They looked at each other. They were both ruined.