Parallel Predicaments

2

This morning, after my first class, I rushed to the lab for our usual meeting. Coco and Sheldon were there, huddled around a device, observing data on a computer. This device, a modified globe suspended over magnets and wired up, was said to detect quantum fluctuations at different times.

Upon entering, I placed my phone on the desk and started organizing some documents, oblivious to my phone starting to smoke, probably too close to the device. Sheldon had warned us to keep all objects away from the powered device to avoid data interference, but I forgot, and it was Coco who noticed, shouting, "Nami's phone is smoking! Quick, Sheldon, turn off the power."

I thought my newly bought phone was done for.

After turning off the power and inspecting the phone, Sheldon shrugged at me, "Sorry, couldn't save your phone, it's dead."

Feeling the heat through the case, the screen remained black, unresponsive to the power button. Sheldon was right; the device was dangerous and not to be approached carelessly. Disheartened, I packed my phone, "It's okay, my fault for being careless. Maybe it can be fixed."

Just then, Professor Stephen entered with a bag of sandwich, offering some to us, "Try these, made by my wife."

Coco teased, "Professor, don't you get tired of eating sandwich every day?"

Professor Stephen chuckled, "That's her specialty; I've gotten used to it over the years."

Coco joked, "Well, I've had my fill of food"

I reached out, "That's your loss; I'll have it then."

Coco and I had been roommates since our freshman year, and we've always been close. She was smart and beautiful, admired everywhere she went, with many pursuing her, yet she showed interest in none.

She often said she'd stick with me if she never married. Deep down, I knew her involvement in Professor Stephen's team was to get closer to Sheldon.

Speaking of Sheldon, he was indeed commendable: tall, handsome, academically brilliant, humble, and of good character, praised by all teachers. Yet, he was oblivious to the obvious, fully engrossed in his research.

After the meeting, Coco accompanied me to get my phone repaired. The technician assured us it could be fixed and asked us to wait. As I watched him work, Coco was browsing short videos, until she suddenly screamed, almost dropping her phone.

"What happened?" I asked, seeing her visibly shaken.

"Just a prank video," she said, regaining composure.

"The phone's fixed," the technician announced, placing it on the table.

As I picked up the phone, it rang, showing no caller ID, just the ringing sound. Assuming the repair wasn't fully complete, I answered without much thought.

A woman's voice came through, "Hello, is this Nami?"

"Who's this? What do you need?" I replied.