22| SATIETY
Harrison's lab was bustling with noise. Bubbling beakers, whirring machinery, and the constant chattering of students filled the air. It was a chaotic symphony that had become the norm in the prestigious halls of Harvard's scientific dungeon.
Sejin's thoughts were capricious, and he was miserable. Every calculation somehow ended up being butchered and pulled wrong, and he was filled to the brim with frustration. But his curiosity had been piqued by something more pressing than simple failure: the feeling of despair felt all around him as it dawned on some part or another about how everyone should be doing business in this world, right?
"This can be worked out, Mr. Harrison. Sir Einstein had simply demonstrated how it was a consequence of special relativity and not any paradox as it is named!"
The head of science and research didn't look quite convinced by the argument Sejin had put to words. There was an enormous stack of papers Sejin had dumped right atop his table, each trying to prove only one single theory: The twin paradox.
"Listen, Kim. I have always looked out for you no matter whatever you have presented, and you know I won't ever disregard any of your projects without a valid reason bec-"
"Because I suck you!" Sejin's reply fell flat, curt, harsh, direct.
The whole idea of being happy was like one of the rarest dreams Sejin had ever seen, wound and weaved. He did love power though, the feeling of authority. He wasn't one of those in the crowd who would sit, do their good and wait for the clock to turn and karma to rain upon him; he would rather walk up, probe big and grave holes with a dagger, use his hands, cream his nails with blood and collar what he needed.
Easy.
"Stop being so loud!" Harrison quickly walked up to the door, trying to locate any alien presence behind the door. He pretty much loved his prestige, status, and sexuality.
Harvard was a big, humongous place. The shiny, rich, nerdy, and exciting dungeon of science and scientists. Mr. Phillip Harrison, Sejin's professor, his guide through his period of books and baboons, and even his little tart. To add the cherry on top, Harrison was Jonghin's old mate, friend, and philosopher. Sad. He was an old man with fancy wishes, and Sejin was looking for his dreams to seek the scent of reality. And he took the most charred way, the most bizarre way.
The younger could only smirk. He knew how much Harrison had to lose, emotionally and physically, and that was his trump card. And he absolutely loved to toy with anybody he could, press them under his thumb and his power, ruining anyone who could voice against him.
Sejin leaned towards Harrison and whispered, "Professor, don't you remember? This is Harvard, the place where ideas are born, friendships flourish, and minds are set free. We are not just learners, but dreamers and creators. We thrive in the energy that fills this room."
Harrison's annoyance wavered for a moment as he considered Sejin's words.
"Listen, Harrison. I will drop the formalities like I do in bed. You get this approved. I need a specimen, a spaceship, and a team. I want to prove this, okay?"
"Goddamn it, Sejin! You do know how ridiculous you sound, don't you? The shit you are spitting right now is just an imaginary scenario which looks pretty on the sheets of printed Calibri!"
This wasn't the first time Harrison felt so agitated. Sejin had used him quiet many times, be it for his cockamamie promotion or the gold on his thesis. But this demand made no sense.
The Twin Paradox was a theory that could variably pull the whole world to its feet, just that it was a theory, a hypothetical paralysis of words, equations, and thoughts. There was never any proof or evidence. A scary theory indeed.
In Science time was relative, and the Twin Paradox was a special relativity theory. In easier terms: Special relativity tells us that a moving clock runs slowly. And this phenomenon is called dilation, and this is a hard fact of this universe.
Sejin tapped his fingers against the railing, sneaking glances at the old man. Harrison looked unbothered, a bit cranky too, "Ah... See this, Harrison," he quickly tapped the little buttons atop the screen of his handy mobile and slid it across the table for the older to cherish.
What he saw next came as a shock.
'Please leave me... ah-ah-ah sir!"
'I will ruin you!'
"Wh-hen di-d yo-u?" He stuttered as he tried to grab the cell phone and delete the video playing. It was one of the times the oldie had sniffed in a new kink, and Sejin had played along, but who knew the devil had a lot planned for that escapade?
"That's for me to know Harrison, and you to work. Approve it. Come on, sign it." He had extended his blood-stained hand, and Harrison had to take it. And in that moment, Sejin knew his journey was far from over. The dagger still remained at his side, but now there was a new path before him. One of love, laughter, and perhaps at last, a true happiness. Only time would tell if he dared to walk it.
...
The sun was setting, painting the clear, sapphire blue sky a flaming orange, which slowly blended into a pale greyish lavender. Fluffy cotton clouds fringed the skyline, drifting lazily in the cool evening breeze. It was relatively quiet, except for the occasional chirping of birds as they sang their evening song.
Tobias had decided to help in cooking. Not that he was a big fan but the bare minimum he could do was help Bella cook when she single handedly took care of their house.
"...and the final ingredient is one big cup of-"
"I swear, Bay, if you say 'love' I'm going to be obliged to hit you." Tobias glared at his sister who was busy chuckling sheepishly.
"-love." Bella finished with a smile making the elder groan out loud and slam his face into his hands.
"See? Easy right. Any questions?"
"Yeah, is love at all essential?" Tobias asked sarcastically, "or can we use apathy instead?"
"Tobi, cooking is a labour of love. Can you scientists be a little more empathetic?" She asked him before speaking again. "Food always tastes so much better when you love it."
"An-n-nd gag," Tobias mimed a puking motion for affect. "Food tastes better when it's fast, hot, and cheap. And no, Scientists are empathetic enough to live. What did that boy even do to you?" He laughed out loud at his own joke and at the embarrassed expression it put on his sister's face.
"Well, I just went on one date with Yoshi, so he hasn't done anything till now." She quipped.
The two siblings were each other's world; Tobias and Bella.
It was hard after their father's death, very tough indeed. Bailey was barely four then, and she couldn't really decipher the meaning behind death. For her it was a day to wear black, be quiet, and stay close to her mother.
That too was soon doomed.
No, her mother didn't die; she fled with her so-called lover, leaving behind her eight-year-old daughter in the care of her teenager stepson, Tobias, all alone.
They had to be under their aunt and their mother. Julia did come back once she had wasted all the money she stole from their father's account, and out of all the hatred the two had built around her, she still managed to sneak a room.
Hopes and dreams were dashed that day. It should have been expected, but it still came as a shock. The warning signs had been ignored in favour of the possibility, however remote, that it could actually happen. That possibility had grown from hope to an undeniable belief that it must be destiny. That was until it wasn't and the hopes and dreams came crashing down.
"What are you both up to?"
Tobias was the first to hear from their mother, "Nothing that needs your concern or help, Julia-"
"Listen Tobi-"
"You listen to me, Julia," It was Bella, "you are staying under this roof with us out of pity. Have that much gratitude and please, stay away."
The lady clicked her tongue in utter disgust, "I am your mother, Bella Green, and that boy isn't even your own bro-"
"Shut up!" Bella's voice thundered through the room, his face turning red with anger. "How dare you say that when you were the one who fled, abandoning me, leaving me alone and at his mercy. You are one pathetic excuse of a mother, so please! Go to your room before I throw you out!"
It took barely a few seconds until they heard the door closing.
All of Bella's power left her as she let her body suffocate and collapsed to the ground. Her own words made her ears ache. Words that eventually shaped who she was, according to those who believed she never took them seriously. She was aware that people believed she didn't comprehend, that she was preoccupied with herself and didn't pay attention to what was going on around her. the lives of her family members and acquaintances.
She remained mute while being fully aware of everything and aware of how powerless she was to make things better. But she could speak.
Orating had given her mouth throe. Her venture to explain people, from the lies she unwittingly told, and from the phrases she used as a form of defence. It was not apparent if she was doing it for herself or for others. They must have thought it was for her, she was certain. She didn't dispute about it either because she had all but lost connection with everyone who was important to her. They had moved on to persons who were less egotistical and indifferent. Her mouth hurt from trying to talk because she knew they wouldn't listen.
"Bay?" Tobias was quick, wrapping his arms around his little sister, and she let her guards down, crying in his embrace. It was hard.
"I am s-sorry Tobi."
Her body hurt from the truth. The fact that this was not a story. This was nothing. This was the only truth she knew anymore. This was the truth of selfishness. This is her apology. An apology unheard. Unneeded.
__________
Just another news, this book "The Twin Paradox" has been featured in the Wattpad official reading list under @/StoriesUndiscovered.
Thank you for all the love and support.
Happy reading. ^^
Bạn đang đọc truyện trên: Truyen247.Pro