BELLS IN NEW YORK

Chapter 04- Part 01

Four hours in to the mountain of files, I had yet to make a visible indent in it. I was really starting to question this treatment. I mean, I wasn't the only junior detective here. In fact, I was only one of the two officers who were promoted to the junior detective post. But here I was doing all the hard work while the other guy barely even showed up. Miguel I think he was called. I guess being the offspring of a chief executive has its perks.

Class discrimination at its finest.

I decided to keep myself occupied by imagining all the possible ways to discreetly murder my colleagues as I went on autopilot mode and sorted through the sea of documents.

Just then, I received a call from the person I least expected.

"Hello, Brooklyn police station?" I answered the phone on my table.

"Oh, Drithi! I managed to call the correct office phone after all,"

"Detective Campbell, is that you?" I asked, unsure of who was at the other end of the call.

"Bingo! I thought you already forgot me," Detective Campbell replied mockingly.

I scoffed.

"On second thought, who are you? Do I know you?"

Detective Campbell laughed. Man, I was going to miss him so much.

"Why did you call on the work phone anyway? Is it official business?" I questioned, wondering why he called all of a sudden.

"Not necessarily. I didn't want you go get in any more trouble by getting caught on your phone," wait, how did he- "I'll be dropping by to collect the rest of my things in a couple hours. So I was wondering whether you could help me with it?"

"As much as I'd like to help, I'm nose-deep with work. I'm going to have to sacrifice my beloved lunch as well. I'm really sorry detective Campbell," I apologised, knowing that I would only be digging my own grave if I requested for permission.

He chuckled again.

"No worries, Drithi. Guess I wasn't wrong about you being in trouble, then. What did you do this time?"

"I was late for work," I mumbled, "but in my defense, my cousins are staying over. Time flew by and I didn't even realise I was late!" I exclaimed, much louder this time.

"Oh, do your esteemed guests include your darling nephew that you spoke so much about?" Detective Campbell questioned.

"Yes! See! I have a valid excuse. Don't you think?" I may have spoken a tad too loud. I could feel the Supervising officer's glare against my back.

"Valid excuse alright. Well, I'll end the call here. You are going to be in a lot more trouble if we keep talking. I'll drop by your place to see your dad and maybe even your nephew after picking my things up. See you then!" The line went dead.

Well, I had at least one thing to look forward to.

As time ticked past, I grew increasingly frustrates. The clicking of the keyboard keys, the scratch of pen against paper, the clinking of cups, the mouse clicks, the printers spewing out paper after paper, everything that I usually found therapeutic were slowly starting to get under my skin. Even the faint ticking of the clock. Everything was annoying.

Detective Campbell showed up an hour prior to collect his belongings. He's probably already met Pa and Ivaan. If only I could have a hug from Ivaan right now I might be able to get through with the rest of the work without a hassle. If only.

My patience was as wide as a single string. I was going to snap any moment now. Why? Even though I was going at lightning speed, there was still no way I could finish everything in a day. Even with my frustration shrouding my brain, I knew that I had to contain it as much as possible. One wrong move and I could be fired. Even worse, now with detective Campbell actually gone, I won't have anybody to vouch for me either. Swallowing down the overwhelming need to topple my desk over, I decided to keep working.

By the time lunch rolled in, I had made the slightest indent in the pile, but the end was still covered in a massive veil of mist. I had already given up on finishing everything today. There was simply no way I would be able to complete it even if I stayed over-time.

"Dee, you coming? It's already lunch. Take a break," Kalisha came up to me on her way to go grab lunch.

"Nah, Kali. I can't. I have to complete at least half of this within today. I don't have the freedom to even eat in peace. You can go ahead. I'll just continue to drown in my misery," I said, trying my best to act dramatic, but failed miserably.

"Drithi, I may have told you that you looked like Genesis Rodriguez, but you don't have half her talent. No offense, but please don't do that again."

"Don't you crush my dreams like that, you bleached porcupine," I said, trying as hard as I could to look dramatically hurt.

"I said stop it. What in my African American glory looks bleached to you? Besides, what even is a bleached porcupine?" Kalisha asked, looking confused.

"Not my fault that you are illiterate," I replied, knowing full well that I was making up lies as I went. I failed English Literature. What did I know about figures of speech?

"I guess I'm the one to blame for befriending you. This wouldn't have happened if I was a little less extroverted," Kalisha sighed.

I clutched the right side of my chest, looking at Kalisha.

"You hurt my feelings, sweet Kalisha. Why would you do that to me?" I asked, with an exaggerated sigh for effect.

"You better stop before I send myself to jail for attempted murder. Besides, your heart is a little more to your left. That's the wrong side."

I quickly put my hand down. I didn't want to know how far Kalisha would actually go.

"Anyways, do you need me to bring you something? A burger, maybe?" Kalisha inquired, clearly done with my antics.

"Sounds good. Include a side of large fries as well," I added.

"Again? Don't you ever get fed up of eating them? Surely you would after having it every single day."

"Make that two large fries."

"I'll never understand you and your French fries addiction."

"THREE."

"Fine! Fine, I'll leave. Sheesh," Kalisha turned to leave.

"You uncultured swine! You just don't know how good fries are!" Kalisha didn't even look back, "YOU STILL OWE ME AND MY FRIES AN APOLOGY!" I shouted as she exited through the double doors. Who doesn't like French fries? Nothing, I repeat, NOTHING, tastes better than a perfectly fried fry. Just the thought of it was enough to give me energy to keep working.

Oh, I hope she'll  bring my fries soon!

♧♧♧

On behalf of Kalisha, I'd like to apologise to Drithi and her fries. They did nothing wrong, and Kalisha did not mean harm. Once again, we're sorry,

Sincerely,
TheSamuraiAuthor

Anyways, hope you like this chapter.

If you had to pick one food to eat for the rest of your life, what would it be? Let me know in the comments!
Mine is probably cheesecake :)

Come back next Saturday for the next chapter!

Vote, comment and share if you too would like to apologise to Drithi and her fries!

안녕!!!
(Bye in Korean.)

04/06/2022