Gemotions

The scent of cardamom and cumin, a smell that always made Maya smile, was now laced with a bitter aftertaste. She found the Persian language book hidden under the bed. Her husband, Ethan, had been studying Farsi. She had always tried to share her heritage with him, only to be met with his polite indifference.

She walked into the living room, her face carefully neutral. “What are you up to?” she asked.

Ethan looked up, startled. “Just… relaxing,” he said, his voice a little too loud.

Maya surveyed the room. “Oh, that’s great,” she said, her voice devoid of any genuine feeling. “I was thinking of going to see that film you don't like. The one in Farsi. Apparently, it's very popular."

Ethan’s face fell. He knew what she was doing. He knew what he’d done.