Gemotions

Her head throbbed, a steady pulse of pain behind her eyes. Sunlight streamed through the blinds, a brutal reminder of the world outside. The doorbell rang, and there stood Mrs. Chen, with a request to start a garden in the yard.

A wave of something akin to despair washed over her. The very idea of engaging, of interacting, felt overwhelming. The thought of adding a single extra task to her day seemed unbearable.

She closed her eyes, wishing the woman would disappear. “Maybe later,” she muttered, her voice strained. She retreated inside, away from the brightness, the demands, and the hope she couldn’t muster.