Gemotions

The world felt muted, as if someone had turned down the volume. A blanket of apathy had settled over Maya. John, her confidant, her partner in crime, was leaving. Boston. He was chasing his dreams, she knew, and she was happy for him. Yet, a crushing weight held her captive within her own body.

She stared at the ceiling, the familiar patterns of the plaster uninteresting. The idea of preparing breakfast seemed an insurmountable obstacle. Finally, with a sigh, she forced herself to make some tea. Even the simplest tasks required a profound effort. The steam from the mug didn't warm her.

Later, at the coffee shop, she watched the other patrons. They laughed and chatted, seemingly oblivious to the gravity of the situation. Her coffee sat untouched. Everything felt distant, like viewing the world through a thick pane of glass. When her phone buzzed with John’s text, the words felt like lead on her tongue.