D 2.0
This was my last attempt at seeking an audience from her. I knew she was stubborn but never thought that I would not be able to crack her facade. She had a difficult past and I understood it. But what I didn't understand was how to face her cold eyes and get close to her. It killed me to see that she faced everything on her own when I was just there. Right next to her, waiting for her simple call. But she never did. Even after being her best friend for years, I knew she was as good as a stranger. She was the untamed wind, the unraveled mystery. Winding up my thoughts, I got out of the car, moving towards her laboratory. I was ready to enter the lab after the scanning, but the robotic voice caught my attention.
'You are denied to enter the laboratory. Medea is busy with her research. She has warned us not to let enter anyone, especially you. Please turn back' I sighed frustratingly. I knew there was no arguing back with an automaton, so I politely replied 'Please inform Medea about my arrival. Along with that inform her that if I am not allowed to enter then I deny being her friend. And this time I really mean it.'
'I can surely pass your threat to Medea. Give me a moment, please' replied the robot.
I started thinking about Medea again. How she was so different from others. She relied more on robots than humans. People couldn't tolerate her emotionless stance and she couldn't stand any human life. Her relationship with the world was different.
Sometimes I wished to be more like her, bold and fierce. But I was the shy one among both of us. Shy and in my own world. We are so different, I even wonder how did we become best friends. Medea was everything that I could never be...
"Please enter Jacob, the jerkface" The same voice interrupted my thoughts.
"Stop calling me a jerk, you Jerk" I abashed the automation spitefully. Although it made no sense to argue with a written program, I anyway did it. Only I know how nervous I am to see Medea after so long. Almost a year. And to say I wasn't nervous would be a white lie.
I entered her lab, the Place that I was all familiar with. The same Greek statue of Athena, Goddess of wisdom, starting right back at my face. This fifteen feet grand statue, with long tunic wrapped around the figure. In this eerie silence, it scared the hell out of me. The first time I saw it, I literally squealed like a little girl. Medea laughed so hard. It was her I-cant-believe-this laugh, reserved for special occasions. The long lost memory brought a smile onto my face.
"I bet 100 bucks, you are thinking of the same thing as I am" I turned around to face the person behind the smug voice.
Just 100 bucks, Ms.Scientist? I thought science has the riches of the world. I replied as calmly as possible. Looking at her hazel lit eyes made my heartbeat run faster than usual, all the excitement and nervousness was getting to my head. She started walking in my direction with a smirk on her face.
Science is rich only if you produce the desired results. The research phase is a bitch, she replied while gesturing me to follow her. At that moment it felt that nothing changed. We were the same as usual.
"What no hug? No missed you at all? I am so bummed up, man. I was hoping for a warm welcome gesture. You wound me, Medea.."
She interrupted me with a laugh before I could speak anything else. I was shell shocked to see her laugh, this wasn't her. Normally she would be plain and devoid of any human emotions.
"If it makes you feel any better, I was thinking about your dramatic ass," she said with a hint of tease.
"Oh, so this is your way of saying that you missed me?" I daringly ask her
"Now you are pushing your luck, Jacod" she Chastened me while returning back to her old facade.
"Well that's an improvement, last time when I asked you the same, your answer was, you said I quote, " Why would I miss you? " unquote, but this time you were generous enough to consider my feelings. Is everything alright? Are you sure you are normal?" I teased her back, it was fun to tease her. She got all worked up. I continued, "Wait, are you programming your mind?"
"Well technically it's possible but unlike us, your re-programming takes a lot of time, given the abundance of human emotions and societal norms." Replied a robotic voice, not the voice that I was hoping to hear.
"Oh, hello Marcus. What are you doing here?" I question politely, Marcus was her first Programmed assistant. she adored him.
"I don't have a physical existence, Jacob. I go where ever Medea goes" he replied smugly. Although robots are not capable of voice modulation, I still could decider the arrogance in his tone.
"Thank you for reminding me of the obvious. I hope you would leave us alone now"
"I don't take orders from you Jerk"
"I don't care. Just go" I replied while getting annoyed
Hearing the displeasure in my voice, Medea asked him to leave us alone. And then my arch-nemesis turned off his hearing capabilities. Show off.
How do you bear with him? He is so annoying, I complained to Medea.
"Don't be mean. He is good at what he does" she turned down my complaining as if it was nothing.
By now, we were in her main cabin. A big screen in front of her, with numbers and symbols, that made no sense to me. I scrunched my nose in confusion.
What does it mean? I question her.
That's my research work, she answers as brief as possible.
Aye aye, Captain obvious, I sarcastically mock salute her.
How is your research going on? I again question her
"Oh, it's almost done. Just need to complete an experiment tomorrow"
"What? You are almost done? Wow. Why aren't you happy? "
"I am happy"
"I am so excited for you" I couldn't help myself, I twirled her around. He laughs echoing the whole room. This was one of the best moments of my life.
"I still can't believe, you are almost done with your research" I exclaimed surprisingly. She has been working on it for the last 6 years. And I realized something, I didn't know what her research was about. She almost kept me away from her professional life. I stop twirling her around and hold her by her shoulders.
I ask "What is your research about?" And she just kept blinking for few seconds. There was panic her eyes just for a mere second. If I wasn't looking at her so carefully, I would have thought it was just pigmentation of my imagination. Before I could point it out, she had tears in her eyes. Now, I started panicking. Did I say something wrong?
"Hey! Are you fine?" I cautiously ask her.
"I am just so happy. I am finally done with it. I have waited forever for this moment. It's going to last forever" she whispered, showing her vulnerability to me for the first time. I held her tight, close enough to get a whiff of her hair scent. I was so scared that she might notice my heart beating so erratically against my chest. For her. The moment brought peace to my heart. Suddenly, the ringing of her phone brought us back to reality. I awkwardly pulled away from her.
"Err eh, You should ahh" I tried to speak but I was a shuttering mess. "You should get that" I finally said
She shyly tugged her hair behind her ears and with a nod, went to pick her phone.
"I will be back Jacob. Give me a few minutes" she left me alone in the room. I found it weird, she was never hesitant to speak in front of me. I turned a blind eye over it. I started going through her things. Some had gibberish written over them. And some had spare parts of robots. I had no idea what this all meant. I cursed myself for not being a science geek. Science was never my cup of tea or coffee. Moving through her things made me aware of the fact that Medea owned a lot of books based on Greek mythology. Some in Greek and some translated in English. Some so old that I was scared to touch them. So frail. I knew that Medea was crazy about Greek mythology. Even her name was based on the same. The infamous enchantress, Medea. I picked up a book written on Daedalus, a Greek innovator, famous for his labyrinth and also about his way of cheating death. Something about that. I started going through the pages, and then something fell off the book. A price of paper, I picked it up. A strange drawing on it. With 'eternity' written at the top. The drawing was weird. A person inside a glass box, connected to another human via a tube or pipe, as if wanting to transfer something from the other. It was disturbing.
I decided not to snoop around anymore. It was already more than 5 minutes and Medea wasn't back yet. I kept the book back in its place. I went out to look for Medea, the echo of her voice directing me towards her.
"...I don't need my medications anymore. I found my cure" her voice sounding aggressive. The person on the other side must have said something to spark her anger even more because her next words were laced with so much hate and anger.
"I don't need them. Leave me alone, Dr.Caleb. Bye," she hangs upon the person, that now I assume is Dr.Caleb. what medication was she talking about? I voiced my thoughts. "Medea, what medications? " she was surprised to see me here.
"When did you come here? " she questioned with the same aggression.
"I just reached here. Is everything fine" I ask her calmly.
"All is good. But I don't appreciate your eavesdropping."
"I just came here, looking for you. In my defense, you were quite loud." I answer as politely as possible.
And suddenly like a switch of a bulb, her whole demeanor changed.
"I am sorry, I am just really nervous about tomorrow." Her voice genuinely sounding guilty.
With a smile, I said "it's fine. I understand. Now tell me about your research"
"Oh, You will get to know about it in due time." She answered dreamily.
I just smiled back. Happy to see her happy after so long.
We both decided to grab lunch from a nearby restaurant, which happens to be her favorite place. We talked about things like old times. Medea and I were best friends since 6th grade. There was nothing that could break us apart. She was so full of life and happiness. But then in our 8th grade, one day when she returned back to her house, she found her mother in the pool of blood, all by herself. She was cold and dead. Her mother killed herself, till now no one knows why. Her family was perfect but after the incident, both Medea and her father were never the same. Medea couldn't handle it and went through depression. Everything changed after that. She lost her smile. Since then it was hard for her to accept death. It triggers her back into the depression, so we stay clear of that topic.
We reached the restaurant. I ordered my usual, grilled cheeseburger. The waiter turned to Medea, "what would you like to have ma'am" she politely asked
"I have not yet decided. Give me some time."
"Sure. I will be back after some time" the waiter left saying this.
"When did you become so indecisive" I nudged her
"Leave me in peace. I want to savor it as if it's my last meal" she answers me
I roll my eyes at her.
"I am going to the restroom. Be right back, till then decide what you want to eat" I get up and leave.
While returning I bumped into someone
"I am sorry ma'am. I didn't see you there" I pick her up "are you okay?" I question her again.
"I am fine. Thank you" the voice sounded awfully familiar. I looked up and found myself staring back at a familiar face
"Jane, so good to see you here. How are you?" I exclaim happily
"Yeah. I thought I would never see you again"
'Why would you say that. I didn't see you in the lab today. On leave?" I ask
"Lab" she questions me in confusion "Oh, no. Actually, Medea fired me, a couple of months back. Now I work for someone else." She said. I was surprised.
"Oh, I had no idea."
"It's fine. I should go now." She started leaving
"Good to see you. Bye" I reply
"Eh is she fine? " she question
"Who?" I question back. She looks at me strangely.
"Nothing. Bye" and just like that she leaves.
I stand there in confusion for a minute, then head back to my table. I reach the table, shocked to see the whole table full of different dishes.
Is someone joining us? I question
No, this is for me, she said.
There is no way, you can never eat this much, I exclaim
I know. I want to enjoy it, she says. I was dumbfounded. Medea never liked to eat food more than necessary.
Sure thing then. Dig in. With that, we start eating in silence.
After paying, we reached back to the car.
Medea, where is your assistant? I ask her slowly
Oh, I gave her off today. She had nothing much to do. She replied calmly
I got confused. I wanted to ask her more but then I kept quiet, given her jumpy nature.
Should I drop you back to your lab or to your house? I ask her ignoring her last answer.
Drop me to the lab. I need to make the final preparations for tomorrow. She replied excitedly.
Can I come to the lab tomorrow? I give her my best puppy eyes.
No. You aren't allowed. And your eyes won't work on me. She shuts me down completely.
I will keep you posted. She winks at me.
I agreed begrudgingly. I was just so happy for her.
We reached the lab in no time. We both got down, standing there awkwardly. Staring at each other, letting our eyes do the talking.
I brought her close to me and hugged her again.
Best of luck. And once you are done with it, I would like to take you out somewhere tomorrow. Okay? I gently ask her.
Of course. With that, she turns around and walks away.
I went back to my place and decided to finish some of my paintings. By the time I was done with the painting, it was already late. I ate my dinner and was ready for bed. I took out my phone and decided to text Medea.
Jacob; Best luck.
She instantly replied.
Medea; Can't wait for our outing. Night
Jacob; Sound sleep
With that, I fell into a dark sleep.
I woke up the next morning to my ringing phone.
Hello, I answered without checking the caller I'd.
Am I talking to Jacob Jeffords? The caller asked me
Yes, this is Jacob. Who am I speaking to? I enquire
Jacob, this is officer Charles. I am calling in regard to Medea. Do you know her?
Yes, Officer. She is a close friend. Is everything alright? I ask anxiously
"I would request you to come to her lab as soon as you can"
"Is she fine?" I again question him
"Please, join me in her lab. We are waiting for you" with that he hangs up, leaving me with an uneasy feeling. I dress up and leave for her laboratory. I decided to be positive. The moment I stepped outside, I couldn't believe it was the same place as yesterday. Police van surrounded the whole area. I couldn't comprehend what was happening.
I reached the main van.
Officer Charles, is that you? I inquire
Jacob?
Yes. It's me, Jacob. What is going on, where is Medea?
Calm down. Give it some time. Everything will make sense, he calmly spoke, as if he practiced it for quite a few times.
"Come along, I don't want you to freak out. Okay", he cajoled me like I was a child.
When was the last time you saw her?
Yesterday, we had lunch together. She had her experiment today. I inform him.
Oh, so it's true then. He said as if he finally completed an incomplete puzzle.
What? I exclaim.
Did you know anything about her experiment? He interrogated me again.
No, she likes to keep it private.
Jacob, her experiment caused her, her life. He finally concludes.
What? What do you mean? I shout at him. Getting angry with every passing second.
I am sorry. Please follow me. The officer starts walking.
We both silently went inside her lab. Passing the majestic statue of Athena to a room, where I never went to. Police surrounded the whole room.
When I entered the room. I was in shock, but yet everything that happened yesterday made sense. I couldn't believe my eyes. There she was, lying lifeless in a glass box. The box connected to a humanoid. The picture inside the book made sense now. The officer consoled me. My eyes were wet with tears. Officer further explained, " initial investigation proves that she herself got inside the box. She was mentally unsound. Her doctor was the one who informed us of this possible misfortune. According to him, she stopped taking her medications a few months back, which caused her mental trauma. And this was her experiment.
I couldn't stop myself. I started crying inconsolably. I couldn't believe anything. She was supposed to be here with me.
"We have a letter written by her to you," said the officer.
He gave me a letter. I wasn't brave enough to read it just yet.
I couldn't believe anything. Nothing made sense.
Jacob, Son? Someone called me. I turned around to find, Mr.Lawson, Medea's father. His eyes were teary and swollen.
Uncle, I can't believe it is happening. I blubber trying to make sense of everything.
I know, he said. And started crying along with me.
We stood there, consoling each other.
Finally when I was able to catch my breath. I spoke, what happened? She was all fine yesterday.
He spoke in a whispered tone, she had Schizophrenia. She thought she could cheat death by creating a new body, just like Daedalus. And then he started crying again.
I couldn't comprehend it. I opened the letter with shivering hands.
Her familiar writing making me cry even harder. I opened the letter.
Jacob
This is my chance to decipher death. I found the cure. I know how Daedalus did it.
Your Medea
