Gemotions

The envelope, addressed in his father’s familiar handwriting, sat unopened on Daniel's desk for days. He circled around it, avoiding the implied request. The summons to speak, a few heartfelt words, triggered a strange internal resistance. A persistent tension had settled in his jaw, making him clench and unclench his teeth.

He found himself irritable, snapping at his coworkers over minor issues. He forgot important meetings and misplaced essential documents. His sleep was restless, filled with disjointed images of awkward silences and disapproving glances.

He considered feigning illness, creating a plausible excuse for his absence. The thought offered a fleeting moment of relief, a temporary respite from the mounting pressure.