UNLIKELY PARTNERS( Smriti & Perry)

Shadows of the Night

The moonlight filtered through the curtains, casting a pale glow over Smriti as she lay in bed, her breathing shallow and uneven. The nightmares had returned, each one more vivid and distressing than the last. She bolted upright, her heart racing, the remnants of her dream still clinging to her mind. Sleep eluded her as the dark images replayed, leaving her exhausted but too fearful to rest.

Morning arrived with a blend of clarity and fatigue. As the team gathered for breakfast, Smriti’s usually vibrant demeanor was replaced by an ashen pallor. Her sister and best friend, Jemimah, who was playing for the Delhi team, noticed immediately. Jemi was seated with her own team, but she caught sight of Smriti from afar and made her way over.

“Oh God, Smriti,” Jemi said, her voice filled with concern. “You look awful. Haven’t you slept all night? Were you having those nightmares again?”

Smriti hesitated, her eyes darting nervously. “Yes, Jemi, I had them again,” she murmured, trying to mask her distress. She cast a quick glance behind her and spotted Ellyse Perry waiting for toast, overhearing their exchange. Smriti’s heart sank, knowing she couldn’t face Ellyse right now.

In an attempt to avoid further questions, Smriti gave Perry a small smile saying “Good morning" And said to Jemi," I’m going to sit over there. Could you bring me some toast?”

Jemi, sensing that Smriti needed space, nodded and walked towards the buffet. Smriti deliberately chose a table set for two, hoping to isolate herself from the crowd. As Jemi joined her with the toast, she broke the silence with a penetrating question.

“You’re feeling something for Perry, aren’t you?” Jemi asked softly, observing Smriti’s reactions.

Smriti looked up, startled. “What? Who said that?”

Jemi’s eyes softened with concern. “Look at yourself. You’re searching for her with your eyes. It’s obvious you care for her.”

Smriti sighed, a mixture of frustration and sadness crossing her face. “Maybe there is something, Jemi, but I can’t afford to fall in love. Not now, and especially not with her.”

Jemi reached out, placing a comforting hand on Smriti’s. “Smriti, it’s been a while since the accident. You need to let go of the past. It’s time to start living your life and find happiness with someone who makes you feel loved.”

Across the room, Ellyse Perry and Sophie Molineux were sharing breakfast. Perry’s gaze was fixed on Smriti, her concern evident. Sophie, noticing Perry’s distracted state, teased, “Would you stop staring and actually eat something?”

Perry glanced back at her plate, her voice tinged with worry. “Smriti seemed so good with her until yesterday. What happened? And why is Jemi, who should be with her own team, sticking so closely to her?”

Sophie smirked. “Jealous, are we? Before you turn green with envy, let me tell you, Smriti considers Jemi like a little sister. They have a close bond.”

Relief washed over Perry. “Oh, that makes sense. I didn’t know why it bothered me so much.”

As Perry’s mind shifted to the nightmare Jemi had mentioned, she noticed Smriti’s exhausted appearance and realized the depth of her distress. The nightmares must have been severe, affecting her ability to sleep and interact.

Back at Smriti’s table, Jemi’s comforting presence was a balm to Smriti’s troubled heart. “You need to get past this,” Jemi urged gently. “The nightmares and the pain—they’re holding you back. Don’t stop yourself from falling in love again just because of what’s happened before.”

Smriti’s eyes were filled with a haunted look as she grappled with her fears. “I’m still scared, Jemi. The nightmares—they’re so real, and they keep coming back.”

Jemi squeezed Smriti’s hand. “I know it’s hard, but you can’t let your past define your future. There’s a chance for happiness, and you deserve it.”

Smriti nodded, her emotions conflicted. “I’ll try. I just don’t know how to escape the shadows of my past.”

Ellyse Perry, watching from a distance, felt a surge of concern mixed with curiosity. She didn’t understand the full extent of Smriti’s nightmares but could see how deeply they affected her. Perry’s thoughts were tangled with worries about Smriti’s well-being and her own emerging feelings.

As breakfast came to an end, Smriti’s interaction with Jemi had provided some comfort, but the unresolved tension of her nightmares and the emotional distance from Ellyse remained. The shadows of Smriti’s past loomed large, and her journey to find peace and connection was just beginning.