Awakening to Consequences

The days passed, and Mei's sleepwalking continued, but her nighttime excursions were no longer just about finding her way to the kitchen or bathroom. She would often find her way to me, her body drawn to mine like a magnet. I tried to resist her, to push her away, but she would simply climb into bed with me, her body molding to mine like it was a part of her. At first, I thought I was still reeling from what had happened between us. The guilt and shame of taking advantage of her while she was asleep still lingered, making my stomach turn with every memory. But as the days turned into a week, and the week turned into two, I began to realize that Mei's behavior was not just about me. She was restless, her body seeking comfort and intimacy, but her mind was elsewhere. One day, as we were walking through the park, Mei suddenly stopped and looked around, confusion etched on her face. "Where am I?" she asked, her voice laced with panic. I took her hand, trying to reassure her, but she pulled away, her eyes scanning the surroundings. "I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice trembling. "I don't remember how I got here." I hesitated, unsure of how to respond. Did she really not remember, or was she just playing a role? I didn't know, but I knew I had to tread carefully. As we walked back to our apartment, Mei's questions continued. "What happened last night?" she asked, her eyes locked on mine. I hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. "You sleepwalked," I said finally, trying to downplay the intimacy of our nighttime encounters. "You've been getting out of bed and walking around." Mei's face fell, and for a moment, I thought I saw a glimmer of fear in her eyes. But then, it was replaced by a look of determination. "I need to know what's going on," she said, her voice firm. "I need to know what happened between us." My heart sank, and I knew I couldn't avoid the truth any longer. I took a deep breath and tried to explain, but the words caught in my throat. How could I tell her that I had taken advantage of her while she was asleep? How could I explain the intensity of our nighttime encounters? As we walked, Mei's grip on my hand tightened, and I knew I had to make a decision. I could try to hide the truth, to downplay what had happened, or I could be honest with her, no matter how difficult it was. The silence between us grew thicker, until finally, Mei stopped and turned to face me. "Tell me," she said, her voice low and urgent. "Tell me what happened." I took a deep breath and let the truth spill out, the words tumbling out of me like a confession. Mei's face went white, and for a moment, I thought she was going to walk away. But then, she took a step closer, her eyes locked on mine. "I don't remember," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "But I feel it. I feel like something happened between us." I nodded, feeling a wave of relief wash over me. "It did," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "And I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." Mei's eyes searched mine, and for a moment, I thought I saw a glimmer of understanding. But then, it was replaced by a look of uncertainty. "I need time," she said finally, her voice soft. "I need time to process this." I nodded, feeling a sense of trepidation. What would happen next? Would Mei be able to forgive me, or would she walk away, leaving me to pick up the pieces of my shattered heart? Only time would tell.