Gemotions

The message popped up on Maya’s phone, a brief notification that the surprise gathering would no longer proceed. She stared at the screen, a slow smile spreading across her face. The news sent a refreshing wave of calm through her.

She had been feeling a quiet fatigue, an exhaustion she hadn't quite named. The expectation of a large event had contributed to her stress. Now, she felt a sudden lessening of that pressure. She took a deep breath, inhaling the crisp air.

She decided to spend the evening stargazing, wrapped in a blanket on her balcony. She felt a lightness, a freedom she hadn't experienced in weeks. She was going to be peaceful.