Gemotions

Rain lashed against the window of Maya’s tiny cubicle. The drumming sound was almost hypnotic. She stared at the email, the subject line screaming “Salary Review.” Her fingers hovered over the mouse, poised to open it.

The information, she had learned, was that a new hire, barely out of their internship, was making more than she was. Her breath hitched. A wave of exhaustion washed over her. She felt oddly drained, as if all her energy had been siphoned away.

She closed her eyes for a moment, picturing the bills piling up, the relentless pressure. Slowly, she deleted the email, instead, she focused on finishing the report that was due by the end of the day. It was the sensible thing to do. It was what she always did.