Gemotions

Elias walked into the apartment after a grueling day. The apartment was tidy, which was unusual. Then he heard it, the rhythmic click-clack of chopsticks against a bowl, followed by hushed tones. He peeked into the dining room. Amelia, his wife, was on a video call, the screen showing her parents. She greeted them in fluent Mandarin, a language she’d always claimed was too difficult. Elias leaned against the doorframe, a strange sensation prickling at the back of his neck. His own ability to speak Mandarin was far less impressive.