miraculously devastated - inspired by a true story

chapter two

help 

"and that is the story of how i almost died skiing." ayaan smiled and took a sip of his drink. it was pretty mesmerizing watching him talk about something he loved. his eyes just lit up and he became animated. it was also hard to not just stare at him with an empty head. i couldn't. i'm over him. he's never been over me. he never had to be.

the thunder had silenced over time, and the rain was still quietly pouring down the glass windows. "what about you yuri? what are you doing with your life?" suffering.

"well, i'm majoring in forensic science because dead people are cool? i dunno." the once warm apple cider had turned cold in my hands. "and the only reason i have this shitty barista job is because i am very much broke." i gestured to the cafe we were sitting in. ayaan's eyes narrowed.

"so...you're broke from...?" could i really tell him? of course not.

"i lost my job. i was up all night bingeing this new show, and i was caught sleeping on the job." i actually got scammed $2,564 trying to get free robux. but he doesn't need to know.

it was clearer now. the rain had stopped and the sun was prying its way through the clouds.

"well. it was lovely to see you yuri, but i'm afraid i gotta go." he picked up his drink and walked towards the door.

"where are you headed?" i asked, turning to face him.

"yo mom's house." and just like that, he was the same scrawny eighth-grader again. i grinned and rolled my eyes as he walked out the door.

for a while, i sat in silence. pondering what lovely could mean. no. i can't. what was he here for anyway? he was majoring in law of some sort, why was he here?

ayaan pov:

i hate hotels. they're always cramped, and the bathroom is always disgusting, and they're just gross. but, there are free mini shampoos so, that's a plus. the rickety desk chair screeched as i pulled it out. a computer sat peacefully on top of the desk, opening it, i noticed an email from my law professor. i didn't feel like opening it, i was on break after all. it was about 9:30, so i just decided to take a shower and go to bed. just as i was about to be swept away be sleep, a text tone blasted through the speakers of my phone. i forgot to turn the notifications off. the text was from my boss. i ignored it. like i said, i was on break.

10 minutes later, my phone is ringing. jesus, who calls at 10pm? apparently, my boss does.

"hello?"

"hi ayaan. this is nadia chamack, from-"

"yes i know. i work for you. i know who you are. what is it?" i was very tempted to throw the phone across the room.

"did you see my email?"

"no"

"the text?"

"ehh..no?"

"well, i am here to tell you that there has been a murder." my mind immediately thought of yuri. were they okay? wait.

"where?" i tensed.

"at a bus stop about two hours ago. the police informed me that they need a lawyer or investigator that might want to help out. i would offer to join you, but i'm on my honeymoon with my wife." silence

"so...you..want me...to help solve a murder?" my eyebrows shot up.

"yes sir." i could hear her smiling through the phone, "you're the top of the class right now patel, i'm very sure you will figure this out." "i hope so." i was about to hang up, until she cut me off."

"oh and patel?" she paused. "they also need a forensic scientist. know any?"