Ethereal: Eternal Echoes

9

The afternoon sun streamed through the windows of Smriti Dave's expansive office, casting warm, golden hues across the sleek, modern furnishings. She sat at her desk, the CEO of TechForge, surrounded by the hum of productivity that permeated the air. Yet, despite the bustle around her, her mind was elsewhere.

A persistent headache had plagued her since morning, a result of restless thoughts that refused to settle. With a sigh, she decided to take a brief respite from her responsibilities. Her assistant, Avani, hovered near the doorway, concern etched on her face.

"Smriti ma'am, are you alright? You look exhausted," Avani said softly.

Smriti managed a weak smile. "Just a headache, Avani. I think I need a break."

"Should I cancel any upcoming appointments for today?"

Smriti shook her head. "No, just reschedule the non-urgent ones. I'll be back soon."

Avani nodded and left, leaving Smriti to gather her thoughts. She stood up and walked to the large windows overlooking the cityscape of Surat. The skyline was a blend of tradition and modernity, much like her own conflicted feelings.

After a moment of contemplation, Smriti decided to retreat to the sanctuary of her home. She needed solace, a space where memories could be revisited without the weight of the present.

---

Back in the comfort of her meticulously curated apartment, She first changed into comfortable Oversized hoodie and pajamas with a loose bun and then made her way to a corner adorned with trinkets and framed photographs. This was her temple, a small area dedicated to her faith and introspection. She lit a few incense sticks and sat down, letting the familiar scent calm her nerves.

Her eyes fell upon an old, weathered journal tucked away amidst the various keepsakes. It was a treasure trove of memories from her school days, pages filled with innocent dreams and heartfelt confessions. Gingerly, she opened it, revealing a world frozen in time.

As she flipped through the pages, each entry seemed to evoke a cascade of emotions. Her writings chronicled moments shared with Ishan-inside jokes, stolen glances across classrooms, and heartfelt musings about her unrequited love.

"He was my first love," she whispered to herself, tracing the faded ink with trembling fingers.

The entries spanned their journey from rivals to friends and eventually to something more, a tender affection that had defined her adolescent years. Smriti smiled sadly, her heart heavy with the weight of nostalgia and pain.

Her thoughts wandered to the farewell day, vivid in her mind as if it had happened yesterday. The pain of parting had been unbearable, yet she had drawn strength from her faith and the support of her friends. Even now, years later, the ache remained.
---
Hours passed unnoticed as Smriti immersed herself in memories long tucked away. Photographs captured fleeting moments of joy and camaraderie, frozen smiles that belied the turmoil within. Among them were pictures of Ishan, his dark eyes sparkling with mischief or softened with rare tenderness.

Lost in reflection, Smriti suddenly realized the passage of time. The setting sun bathed her home in a warm glow, casting long shadows that mirrored her melancholy. With a deep breath, she closed the journal and wiped away a stray tear.

Just then, her phone buzzed, startling her out of her reverie. It was a message from Avani, reminding her about an upcoming business meeting after a week and a business party scheduled in sixteen days. Smriti frowned, torn between the past that refused to fade and the present demanding her attention.

She composed herself and dialed Avani's number, her voice steadier than she felt inside.

"Avani, about that meeting... Can you give me the details?"