Gemotions

Rain lashed against the car windows, mirroring the storm inside Alex. He hadn't slept properly in days. The drive, usually a comfort, felt like an endless slog. He gripped the steering wheel so tightly his knuckles were white. He'd imagined this reunion so many times, rehearsed the easy banter, the shared memories. But Maria’s eyes widened with genuine confusion when he'd introduced himself. “Alex? I… I don't think I know you.” It was a polite dismissal, but it felt like a physical blow. The weight of his own memories, the shared secrets, the inside jokes, it felt like an unbearable load. He pulled over to the side of the road, the rhythmic drumming of the rain a constant reminder of his inner turmoil. He pressed his forehead against the cold glass, wanting to just… disappear.