STEPS BETWEEN US

Chapter 3: Out of Sync

The sun slipped weakly through the curtains the next morning painting soft strips across the apartment wall.
Mira sat on the couch with her guitar resting besides her untouched. She hadn't slept much her eyes were red, her voice hoarse from both singing and holding back tears .

The front door clicked open. Sarin stepped in quietly still in the same clothes, a paper bag in her hands.
“ I brought breakfast," she said softly.“Your favorite mango sticky rice."

Mira didn't look up . “Thanks ."

Sarin set the bag down and sat across from her . The silence between them was heavy thicker than any argument could be.

“I'm sorry about last night, " Sarin said. “We had an emergency case. I couldn't leave."
Mira lips tightened. “I know. You always have emergencies . "

“Mira.........."

“No , it's fine. I just thought this time you'd be there. It was my first solo performance, Rin."
Her voice cracked on Rin's name and Sarin felt it like a knife.

“I know, " She whispered. “I wanted to. I swear I did."

Mira stood up pacing toward the window.
“ You always want to but never do."

“That's not fair......"

“Fair ?" Mira turned around tears finally spilling over. “You think it's fair that I'm out there singing to empty chair while you're too busy saving everyone else except us ?"

The words hung in the air sharp and trembling. Sarin froze guilt flooding her face. “ You think I don't care?"

“I don't know what to think anyone."

Silence. Just the hum of the city outside and two hearts beating painfully out of rhythm. After a long pause Sarin stood.
“ I love you Mira . I'm just....... trying to build a future for us ."

Mira looked at her tired torn between anger and love.
   “But what's the point of a future if we're not even together in the present?"

Sarin eyes glistened but her phone buzzed again another message from the hospital. Her shoulder slumped.
“I have to go."
Mira laughed bitterly .“Of course you do"

Sarin hesitated at the door. She wanted to stay, to fix everything.
“I'll come back tonight. We'll talk okay?"

Mira didn't answer. She just turned back to the window whispering under her breath,
“ You always say that."

The door closed with a soft click. The only sound left was the echo of Mira unfinished song the one she never got to finish because her heart wasn't in sync anymore.