Gemotions

He stared at the acceptance letter, the bold print of the university crest blurring slightly through watery eyes. It had been more than a month since the discovery, the revelation that the scholarship, the lifeline that had pulled him from a life of dead-end jobs, wasn't rightfully his. The room was a mess, clothes scattered across the floor, half-finished projects abandoned.

A sudden shiver went through him. He recalled his father's gruff advice. His stern gaze. His unwavering belief in his son. He realized the weight of it all. He thought of his younger siblings. He had wanted to show them what they could achieve.

He slowly moved towards the window. The setting sun cast long shadows across the campus quad, filled with students laughing and hurrying to class. It all felt so far away. He ran a hand through his hair, the familiar gesture doing nothing to still the tremor in his hands.