UNLIKELY PARTNERS( Smriti & Perry)

Under the Moonlight

Ellyse sat at the edge of the pool, her feet gently splashing in the cool water. The soft glow of the moon reflected off the surface, casting a serene light over the two figures. Smriti, having approached quietly, now took a seat beside her.

“Can I sit?” Smriti’s voice was soft, a contrast to her usual commanding tone.

“Of course,” Ellyse replied, her voice tinged with curiosity.

They sat in silence for a moment, each lost in their thoughts. Smriti was the first to break it. “You know, it’s not the end of the world. We’ll get better with time.”

Ellyse nodded, feeling a weight lift off her shoulders. “I just didn’t mean for it to end like that. I’m really sorry.”

Smriti offered a reassuring smile. “It’s cricket. It happens. Besides, we have more games to show what we’re really made of.”

Ellyse took a deep breath. “It’s just that, I always feel this pressure to perform. Like there’s always this shadow over me.”

Smriti tilted her head, listening intently. “I get it. I’ve had those moments too. Like, when I first started playing, I felt like I was always in someone’s shadow, always being judged.”

Ellyse’s curiosity piqued. “Really? I’d never guess that. You seem so confident.”

Smriti chuckled softly. “It’s a front. I’ve had to learn to project confidence. Behind it, I’ve had my share of insecurities.”

Ellyse’s eyes softened. “What was it like, starting out for you?”

“Well,” Smriti began, “there was a lot of sacrifice. I missed out on so many normal things—family gatherings, friends’ birthdays. It was all about cricket, and sometimes I wondered if it was worth it.”

Ellyse’s expression grew thoughtful. “I can relate. I often wonder if all the pressure is worth the fleeting moments of glory.”

Smriti looked at Ellyse, her eyes full of empathy. “It’s the love for the game that keeps us going, isn’t it? Despite the struggles.”

Ellyse smiled. “Exactly. And sometimes, talking about it helps.”

There was a brief pause before Ellyse’s face lit up with a smile. “You know, I had this coach once who used to say, ‘If you’re going to make mistakes, make them with style.’”

Smriti’s eyes sparkled with amusement. “Oh really? I bet he had a flair for the dramatic.”

Ellyse laughed. “He did. He’d throw in grand gestures and overly dramatic speeches. It was both entertaining and a bit ridiculous.”

Smriti laughed, her laugh ringing out clear and genuine. The sound was infectious, and Ellyse found herself laughing along. Smriti’s laughter was a rare, unguarded moment of joy, and it struck Ellyse deeply.

Ellyse watched Smriti with a mix of admiration and curiosity. The ease and warmth in Smriti’s laugh, something so different from her usual reserved demeanor, fascinated her. Ellyse thought about how she had never seen this side of Smriti before—a side that seemed so genuine and open.

As their laughter subsided, Smriti glanced at Ellyse, her cheeks still flushed with the joy of their shared moment. “You know,” Smriti said softly, “I’m really glad we talked. It feels nice to share this with someone.”

Ellyse nodded, her heart touched by the sincerity in Smriti’s words. “I feel the same. I didn’t expect this conversation to turn out so... meaningful.”

They sat in silence again, the air filled with a new sense of camaraderie. Both of them felt a deep connection, a sense of understanding and support that had emerged from their vulnerability and shared laughter.

Smriti looked at her watch and sighed. “It’s getting late. We should probably get some rest. Practice starts early tomorrow.”

Ellyse glanced at the sky, the first hints of dawn beginning to appear. “Yeah, we should. But I’m glad we had this time together.”

Smriti smiled, a wistful look in her eyes. “Me too. I didn’t want the night to end.”

As they stood up, Smriti and Ellyse exchanged a look of mutual understanding and warmth. They knew this conversation had been more than just a late-night chat—it had been the beginning of something meaningful.

They parted ways with a promise of more conversations and the unspoken hope of getting to know each other even better in the days to come. The night ended, but the connection forged under the moonlight lingered, leaving both of them eager for what the future might bring.