UNLIKELY PARTNERS( Smriti & Perry)

Tossing Shadows

The sun dipped low in the sky, casting long shadows over the cricket ground as the teams prepared for the evening match. Excitement buzzed through the air, but for Smriti, a gnawing anxiety marred her focus. Perry, in her own world, was diligently going through her warm-up routine behind Smriti, but her eyes remained fixed on her friend.

Smriti, usually the epitome of composure, seemed unusually unsettled. Her nervousness was palpable, a stark contrast to her usual self-assured demeanor. The cause of her discomfort became clear as Shruti Rana, the stand-in captain for the Gujarat team, approached for the toss. With Mooney injured, Rana had taken over, and her presence seemed to unsettle Smriti.

As the captains shook hands, Smriti avoided eye contact and didn’t even offer a handshake. Shruti’s smile was cold and vicious, and she leaned in close to whisper something in Smriti’s ear. Smriti’s face went pale, her hands trembling slightly as she tried to maintain her composure.

The moment the toss was over, Smriti made a beeline for the dressing room, her face a mask of distress. She ducked into the washroom, the cool solitude offering no relief from the storm of emotions swirling inside her. As she faced the giant mirror, her reflection betrayed the turmoil within—sweat dripping down her face, tears rolling down her cheeks.

Her breath hitched when she felt a hand on her shoulder. Instinctively, she recoiled and pushed the person away. But as she turned, she saw it was Perry. Relief washed over her, and she stumbled forward, wrapping her arms around Perry in a desperate embrace.

Perry’s heart ached at the sight. She knew there were many questions swirling in her mind, but now wasn’t the time. Instead, she whispered soothingly into Smriti’s ear, “I’m here, Smrits. I’m here for you.” She held her close, one hand gently patting Smriti’s scalp as she felt the trembling ease in her embrace.

After a few minutes, Smriti’s breathing steadied, though her eyes remained teary. She pulled back slightly, her voice trembling, “Shit, I have to go. I’m sorry, Pez, you had to see this side of me. But thank you for everything.”

Perry looked deeply into Smriti’s brown eyes, her light blue ones reflecting nothing but love and care. She held Smriti’s hands firmly, her voice steady and reassuring. “Don’t be sorry, Smrits. I’m here for everything you need. Everything you want to share. You don’t have to go through this alone. I understand that this is about something in the past, something you’re not ready to talk about. But if that Rana says anything else to you, I swear I’ll make her regret it.”

Perry’s eyes flared with protective anger, a fierceness that made Smriti chuckle through her tears. They embraced again, Perry’s warmth a comforting cocoon.

As the game progressed, RCB batted first. After loosing 1 wicket in first over, Smriti and Perry were in formidable form, each hitting the ball with precision and power. By the end of the powerplay, they had scored 75 runs for the loss of just one wicket, setting a solid foundation for the innings.

With the powerplay over, Shruti Rana took the ball to bowl her first over. Smriti, now at the crease, felt her heart race as Rana’s cold stare met her own. The atmosphere was charged, and time seemed to slow. The ball was yet to be bowled, but the tension was palpable, hanging in the air like a heavy fog.

Smriti standing at the crease, her heart pounding as Rana prepared to bowl, the weight of the moment pressing down on her.