One Hundred Degrees

Chapter 6: Friendship & Wings

"People who love to eat are always the best people"

Julia Child

It was already six thirty, by the time Del reached Aliyah's place. The smell of delicious food wafted out into the hallway from the kitchen window. The sound of Ally's off-key singing drifted closer to the door as Del waited patiently after knocking down the door a few minutes ago.
"Aaall of me, loves all of you,
All your curves and all your edges,
Your perfect imperfections ...
Dammit where's those keys"
The door swung open to the sight of a beaming Ally with her strawberry kitchen apron and her long hair tied up in a messy bun. She pushed her glasses up her nose, as she searched through the keys for the gate key.
"Hey friend, sorry it took forever- the wings were just ready and I had to pull them outta the oven- oof Froyo, you can't run out boy", she quickly scooped up the chubby ginger cat trying to escape as she pushed the gate open.
"Sorry the place is such a mess, you know me and the post call vibes- it was one those ridiculous nights with a first year intern running around like a headless chicken."
Del grinned at herself, "And yet you decided tonight was the night you are going to invite me over for a home cooked meal- I swear Aunty Amina would be proud of you, such a good Muslim girl neh."
Ally made a face as Froyo plopped himself onto the sofa, "Let's not talk about mummy, she literally called me as soon as I got home to update me on how my cousin Shaazia- 19 year old child is getting married, while I'm a 28 year old donkey who's married to her work. Got the whole how are there no nice Muslim boys at the hospital story."
"Ugh, nasty, I had an awful date thanks to Aunty Pree trying to set me up with this boy she knows. He was so horrible-besides the lack of gentlemanliness, he actually was like so you'll probably be fine being a housewife and prioritise me over a career. As if I did not have to work hard to get where I am right now?!", Del said in an exasperated tone.
"I feel like I just have this attitude of when it's meant to happen, it will and if it doesn't, well then medicine, travel and Froyo are my life ", Ally laughed, " Also, when did we last have a girls only, Dev-free get together!"

Del rolled her eyes at the mention of Dev-the three of them had been childhood friends, and by some miracle they had all managed to end up starting their careers in Durban. The bond between the three of them was closer than that she shared with her siblings. Being the youngest of four, and having three older brothers , made Ally her next door sister. Dev was their goofy younger brother, always getting himself mixed up in awkward situations, who now somehow managed to land himself into a serious relationship .

"Oh also, I made cheesecake ...", Ally admitted with a guilty look on her face.
"It's settled, parkrun this Saturday , no excuses."
"Ugh, but then I have to wake up early on a weekend off ", groaned Ally.
"You deserve it for luring people to your house for delicious, calorie loaded food. Also, I though doctors were supposed to encourage healthy lifestyles."
" I've come to terms with the fact that I'm a hypocrite when in comes to that", Ally shrugged as she headed off to the kitchen.

Del scratched Froyo's head before getting off the couch and opening the sliding door to the dining room. She walked over to the window and stared to take in what might arguably be the best view in Durbs. The city lights twinkled on one end , and faint lights in the distance shone from the random ship out at sea. During the day the view was even more magnificent as the ocean revealed itself to the onlooker.

She turned at the sound of footsteps heading into the room. It was Ally carrying a casserole dish filled with a ridiculous amount of chicken wings for the two of them. The scent of Ally's Afghan chicken made Dels mouth water. She quickly hurried to help her friend make space on the table between the water jug and cutlery.

"I'm going to get the roasted veggies, don't start eating without me!", Ally yelled as she quickly ran out of the room.
As soon as she returned the two of them attacked the wings- it was absolutely spicy and succulent- the two of them gobbled down a few wings, before stopping and looking at each with huge smiles on their faces.

"Gosh, my self-control is out of the window as soon as there are wings in front of me!", Ally giggled.
"The same, anyways as it's a catch up session, hows work on your side friend."
"Well the same as usual, crazy casualty nights and dealing with a new flock of interns. Last night was a mess as it was both my casualty intern and the surgical interns first day and call of the block. Like I love it when they enthusiastic, but some of them need you to hold their hands the hold time and haibo I can only do that for so long.", Ally chattered on as she spooned our some veggies onto both of their plates.
"Also, the most ridiculous thing ever, this one patient walked in with a knife in his back- yep walked in. But that's not the best part, this other guy rushes in while the guy is being examined by the surgeons with a knife! Sounded like some gang fights", Ally rolled her eyes .
Del gaped at her friend sitting calmly next to her, "How on earth do you handle this madness? Did the police come, what happened?"
"Umm , security guys were actually following him in because they felt he seemed fishy, and they sorted it out with the popo."
"Phew, that's so insane, like I can't even-and I thought I was dealing with psychopaths."
"Meh, by the way are you involved in that case over at the Poseidon- I heard about it on the radio this morning."
Del sighed, as she slumped back into the chair, "Yep I am and currently I'm struggling to make head or tail of this case. I feel like something is off between those people the victim worked with, but I couldn't put my finger on what it was. They all seemed to idolise her ,but I don't know it's just not making sense."
Ally looked at Del, "Well if your concern is that they are being overly nice, that just makes sense with her being dead and all."
"What do you mean?"
"I think you have to be a really mental person, but no one can say bad things about someone who passed away, especially if you close to them. Mind you, she was murdered so even more reason to suck up."
"This is true", sighed Del as she grabbed one last wing.
" What was the mechanism of injury according to Prof George?"
"Haven't seen her as yet, we'll check tomorrow. But friend burns are so awful, how do you handle looking at such things ."
"I dunno, I tend to be a bit upset , because it's often kids who get burnt - and that always spikes my concerns for abuse, so I guess it's the bigger picture that gets to me more than just that one incident you know."
"Makes sense, I feel like that's what we are missing in this case. Like they all felt as if it was an outsider who did this, but I just feel like that can't be it."
"You guys will be fine, I'm sure it's just needs digging around, it's not like it's a straightforward recorded on camera incident."
"This is true. Also, friend I think we need a breather before the cheesecake hey."
"Totally, let's go chill in front of the TV and put these things in the sink first.
As the two of them settled on the couch, laughing and sharing stories, they soon drifted off to sleep forgetting about their dessert.

A/N: So after writing this chapter, I'm dying for chicken wings. Thus was not a great idea on my side😭😭😭. Also it will be back to the case in the next chapter🙅🏻