UNLIKELY PARTNERS( Smriti & Perry)

Echoes of Regret

Perry’s heart pounded as she approached Smriti’s door, only to find it slightly ajar. Hesitating for a moment, she pushed it open gently, stepping inside. The room was shrouded in darkness, the curtains drawn tight against the morning light. As her eyes adjusted, she saw Smriti sitting on the floor next to the bed, her body hunched over and trembling. The sight of Smriti in such a vulnerable state struck Perry with a profound sense of guilt.

Smriti’s face was buried in her hands, her sobs muffled but clearly heard. Her breaths came in ragged gasps, and her shoulders shook with each cry. It was clear she hadn’t slept, her disheveled hair and the tear-streaked cheeks betraying her distress. Perry felt her own heart shatter at the sight.

With a surge of urgency, Perry moved to the window, pulling the curtains open to let in the soft, warm light. She turned back to Smriti, her heart sinking further. The room now bathed in light revealed just how deeply Smriti had been affected. She looked like a fragile shell of the person Perry had come to love, completely undone by the night’s events.

As Perry approached, she heard Smriti’s fractured pleas. “Don’t do anything to me, Shruti, please leave me. I won’t tell anyone. Please leave me, Shruti. I beg you.”

Perry’s guilt was almost unbearable. Her actions had resurrected Smriti’s nightmares, bringing back the shadows she had fought so hard to overcome. Perry knelt beside Smriti, her voice soft and soothing as she wrapped her arms around her. “Calm down, Smrits, I’m here. Look, no one can do anything to you. I’m with you, my love.”

Gently, Perry lifted Smriti, guiding her to the bed. She settled her down carefully, her hands tenderly cupping Smriti’s tear-streaked face as she whispered soothing words. Perry’s embrace was firm yet gentle, her warmth a stark contrast to Smriti’s cold fear. As Smriti’s breathing began to steady, Perry remained close, her hand running soothingly through Smriti’s hair.

“Shh,” Perry murmured, her voice trembling with emotion. “It’s okay. I’m here. We’ll get through this.”

When Smriti finally started to come to her senses, she looked up at Perry with a mix of confusion and pain. “What are you doing here? Please leave.”

Perry’s voice broke as she tried to explain, “Smriti, I am sorry for whatever happened yesterday—”

“No, Pez, please don’t say anything,” Smriti interrupted, her eyes pleading. “If you say anything, I’ll believe you. I’ll let myself fall for you again, and I can’t do that. I’m sorry you had to see this, but I promise it won’t happen again.”

Perry’s eyes filled with tears, her voice choked with emotion. “Smrits, please listen—”

Smriti shook her head firmly, cutting Perry off. “No, Perry, please leave,” she repeated, her gaze fixed downward, refusing to meet Perry’s eyes. Perry’s heart ached as she saw the pain and resignation etched on Smriti’s face.

With a heavy heart, Perry whispered, “I’m sorry, Smrits. I ruined the most beautiful thing I ever had, the most soothing bond I’ve ever made. The most beautiful woman I’ve ever found. But trust me, I promise you and myself that I will fix this. I will change all your nightmares into sweet dreams.”

Perry left the room, her footsteps echoing with the weight of her promise. As she walked away, Smriti lay on the bed, her mind a tumult of conflicting emotions. She wondered why, despite everything, she couldn’t bring herself to hate Perry. Why, even after all the pain, she still wanted Perry to fulfill her promises. Smriti’s heart ached with the unanswered questions, and she found herself secretly hoping that Perry’s vows might one day bring her the solace she desperately needed.

In the silence of the room, Smriti’s tears flowed anew, her thoughts tangled in the uncertainty of her own heart.