Gemotions

The smell of incense filled Amelia’s nostrils, a fragrant invasion of the familiar sanctuary of her childhood home. Her sister, Emily, was glowing, her eyes bright with a fervor that made Amelia want to turn away. Emily, radiant in a headscarf, gestured towards the prayer rug laid out on the living room floor.

Amelia felt a knot tighten in her stomach. She could taste bile at the back of her throat. The chattering in the background, family members excitedly commenting, was a background noise she couldn't register. Each word a tiny pinprick, each smile a subtle jab.

She retreated to the corner of the room, her arms crossed tightly across her chest. She saw everything, the room, the people, but felt disconnected, lost in a swirling vortex of disorientation. The air felt heavy, suffocating.