Gemotions

Rain lashed against the windows, mimicking the feeling in Elias’ chest. He’d slumped onto the sofa, the remote control heavy in his hand as he flicked through channels he wasn't really watching. Another Friday night, another takeaway, another silence stretching between him and Maya.

He’d heard a murmur coming from the study, a hesitant string of words, and that curiosity had finally nudged him off the couch. He moved towards the door, then stopped. A pang of something unpleasant seized him. It wasn't fair that she shut him out so often.

He pushed the door open to see Maya hunched over her laptop, headphones on, her brow furrowed in concentration. Then, the words drifted toward him - broken, but unmistakably, his native tongue. He froze, a knot tightening in his stomach, as the reality sunk in.