Gemotions

The aroma of cardamom and ginger clung to the air in the kitchen. Liam paused at the doorway, a sudden knot twisting in his stomach. He’d come in expecting to find Maya humming to the radio, preparing their usual Saturday breakfast. Instead, he found her hunched over a laptop, headphones on, a concentrated frown creasing her brow. He cleared his throat.

“Morning,” he said, his voice sounding oddly loud in the quiet room. Maya jumped, ripping off the headphones. She looked, he thought, a little caught.

“Oh, hi!” she replied, a shade too brightly, her cheeks flushing. "Just… checking emails." Her laptop screen was angled away from him, and he caught a glimpse of what looked like Cyrillic script. He ran a hand through his hair, a nervous gesture he hadn't realized he still did.

The silence hung heavy between them as he poured himself coffee. He felt a weird, internal pressure that made his limbs feel heavy. He fiddled with the sugar bowl, needing something to do.