She saved me a seat

I arrived late for lunch today and found every table occupied except one chair beside Meera. She moved her bag without being asked and continued telling me about her morning 🌄. It was such an ordinary gesture that I almost overlooked it

Lately, I have been feeling like an extra person in every group, always waiting to see whether someone wants me around. Meera didn't make a big deal of including me. She simply made space. We spent lunch discussing a terrible television 📺 series, and I laughed more than I had in days. Perhaps belonging doesn't always announce itself. Sometimes it looks like an empty chair someone kept for you.