Gemotions

The lunch break felt like a cruel joke. He picked at the salad, the food tasting like cardboard. He could barely bring himself to chew. The chatter of his colleagues, their laughter and animated conversations, grated on his nerves. He longed for solitude, for a space where he could simply be.

The prospect of dealing with even the simplest tasks filled him with a sense of dread. The thought of attending the upcoming team meeting sent a wave of nausea through him. He was running on fumes, fueled by caffeine and sheer willpower. He could feel his resilience crumbling.

He forced a smile as Sarah approached. She was beaming, clearly ecstatic about the promotion. He managed a weak "Congratulations," the words sounding hollow in his ears.