The Scientist (I)

Ria Sharma had a hard day at work. She worked in a software company that manufactured or developed new anti-viruses. She had a deadline for today which she didn’t meet. She had to pick her daughter up from school before she returned to her office to try and meet that deadline.

She walked towards her white corolla. She got in and started it. Just as she was about to pull out, a hand banged against her window. She was startled. A young man with two carry bags was standing beside her car. She pulled down her window.

“Hi, I’m Ryan. I work in this building. 12^th floor, Rudolph Pharmaceuticals.” He said.

“Hi, Ryan. What can I do for you?” She asked, still startled by the sudden intrusion.

“I’d like to ask you for a favour. Can you please drop me at Thakur Village.” He said.

“Sure, actually I’m headed the same direction. Hop in.” She said, good-naturedly.

He climbed into the sedan’s back seat. He sat directly behind her and kept the carry bags aside him.

“Thank you.” He said.

“It’s alright…” she said.

They were about to reach Thakur Village, and her phone rang. She took the call and told her sister that she was driving and would call her back.

He took out an inhaler and used it. Ria looked through the rear-view mirror.

“It’s for my asthma. I had it as a child.” He answered her silent question.

A few minutes later.

“It’s right here. I’ll get down here.” He pointed to a nearby CCD.

“Ok, I’ll pull right over.” She said.

“Once again, Thanks a lot.” He said.

“Oh, it’s not a big deal. I live around the corner. You should come-by some day.” She said cordially.

“Maybe I will!” he said, smiling.

She was found dead in her apartment, the very next day.

The Mystery

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“Dude you need to get over her!”

He was talking about my year-long affair with Anita.  Yes, affair! It was not a ‘relationship’ because neither of us knew we were in one! We didn’t even break up. It was Farhan a.k.a fatty a.k.a. my-best-friend-who-is-a-mutual-friend who told me that she was seeing other people.

“You really should get out more. The whole world is out there just for you. I’ve been in my share of relationships and I can tell you that a break-up is hard.”

Yeah right! The longest relationship you’ve ever had was for three days and it was with your toilet seat when you had diarrhoea. Big talk from nappy boy!

“Whew! Finally I got you to smile! You see, my man, this is exactly what friends are for.”

Yeah I’m so lucky to have you as my friend. Life would never have been the same if I didn’t have you coming to my place daily at three in the morning eating my food.

“Now go to sleep. You’ve got a big day ahead. I’ll lock the door on my way out, right after I finish this episode.” He said, digging into the Pringles can.

You’ve watched this episode a hundred times, you fat b*****d. If you want the chips, say that you want the chips. Stop beating around the bush.

“Okay, Okay, Fine! I’m going. By the way, why do I have a big day ahead of me tomorrow? I haven’t planned anything.”

“Oh my friend! That is the mystery of Farhan-The great! You’ll see.”

Oh great another day with you – just what I need. On any other normal day, I could’ve put up with all the crap he comes up with but I wasn’t in the perfect state of mind. But still for some unknown, unfathomable reason, I agreed.

“Okay Fine, but nothing stupid. Please. ”

****************************************************

Next Morning

I woke up to the resonating sound of my alarm-clock. I searched around my pillow and my bed-side table where it usually is. Waking up pissed off was pretty common in the past few days. But for very different reasons.

“I’m gonna kill that… Oh! Wait here it is.”