Parallel Predicaments

11

As I fiddled with Sheldon's neck, checking for injuries, he reassured me, "You've checked so many times. I'm really fine, the knife didn't touch me."

Back at my place, Sheldon had insisted on escorting me home for safety. In a bid to express my gratitude, I offered to cook for him. "What would you like to eat? I'll make it for you."

His response was unexpected, "This is unusual, Nami. I'm not used to this."

I explained, "It's to thank you for saving me."

He took up the offer, "Then I won't hold back. I'd like a steak."

"Alright, let me see what we have in the kitchen."

While I was busy preparing the meal, Sheldon called out from the living room, "Nami, your phone."

I went to check and saw it was a call from future Nami. Seizing the opportunity for Sheldon to 'meet' her, I answered the call on speaker. Future Nami almost roared into the phone, "Do you have any idea how many times I've tried calling you? How worried I was? Didn't I tell you to get out of there? Why didn't you listen? If you die, I'm doomed too!"

Sheldon was astounded, "Wow, it really is your voice."

"Sheldon's there with you?" she asked.

I reassured her, "Don't worry, he knows everything and believes us."

She continued her tirade, "I forgot, you almost got Sheldon killed today. If anything had happened to him, I'd never forgive you!"

I tried to steer the conversation back on track, "Hold on, what did you mean by 'something's wrong with Mrs. Stephen'? Did you know about Professor Stephen beforehand?"

She apologized for not updating me sooner, explaining that originally, Professor Stephen and his family were supposed to die that day. Mrs. Stephen, suffering from severe mental illness, was said to have poisoned the professor and their child before taking her own life. The change in events, with Professor Stephen dying earlier, had altered the course of history, putting Sheldon and me in danger.

I inquired about Mrs. Stephen and her son's fate. Future Nami informed me that the son was saved in time and grew up to become a healthy doctor, while Mrs. Stephen was still in a mental institution.

Sheldon interjected, curious about how future Nami was investigating the murderer from her timeline. She revealed a bold theory that the bullets might be from the future and had traced them to an underground organization that produced such ammunition.

"Why would someone from the future go through all this trouble to kill Coco and the professor?" I pondered.

Future Nami admitted it was puzzling since even the most advanced scientific bureau hadn't mastered time travel. She warned us to stay vigilant, suspecting we might be the next targets.

Sheldon assured her, "Don't worry, I'll stay with Nami these next few days."

Future Nami took the opportunity to tease, "That's good. It's a chance for you two to develop your relationship."

I quickly dismissed the notion, "What nonsense are you spouting? Get back to your work at the scientific bureau. We're hanging up."

After the call, Sheldon looked at me, echoing future Nami's words about fostering our relationship.

I brushed off the idea with a laugh, "Nonsense."

Yet, as Sheldon relaxed back onto the couch, craving his steak, I couldn't help but ponder the alignment between him and future Nami. Wait, wasn't future Nami essentially me?