The Present day 2023: Results of the mud

back in Pakistan Hyderabad in 2023 (Present day)

The vintage 17-inch silver television set looked to tremble with ageing as it played the news at a volume that was only barely audible. A familiar symphony of street sounds from Hyderabad, Pakistan, could be heard in the background. The air was filled with the shouts of roaring motorbikes navigating the uneven, pothole-filled roadways, weaving a colourful patchwork of street life.

Alexander was seated on a worn wooden bench in the middle of this vibrant urban orchestra. Despite having suffered the effects of time, the bench's surface was amazingly robust. He took delicate sips from his tiny glass teacup while watching the hordes of people and motorcycles that were constantly passing by and the lively flux of the busy street.

The city was reduced to a barren expanse of concrete by the grilling sun's unrelenting brilliance. Each and every corner was bathed in its bright light, which gave the scenery an almost desert-like appearance.

A woman in stylish clothing caught everyone's attention on the television. Her fitted, navy-blue blazer went wonderfully with the pristine white shirt peeking out from underneath. Her shape was gently hugged by a pencil skirt in the same colour that landed just above the knee; navy-blue shoes completed the ensemble. She raised the papers in her hands in an assured motion before speaking.

She said, her voice authoritative, "Scientists have yet to reach a clear judgement on the studies relevant to the Great Reset. "However, we now understand more clearly where the evidence came from. The results have come from..."

Before the woman could continue, a resounding crash disturbed the silence. Two bikes collided, shattering the peace that had been in the space as the impact reverberated throughout the surrounds. Alexander found himself briefly mesmerised by the sudden change of events in the midst of the tumultuous aftermath and unintentionally missed the remainder of the news programme on the screen.

Amidst the commotion caused by the collision, a man's angry voice pierced through the air, shouting, "Hey, can't you see, you stupid guy!" In response, another man retaliated with equal fervour, shouting back, "Shut up! It was clearly my right of way, you dumb driver!"

As the altercation escalated, a growing crowd began to gather, attempting to intervene and diffuse the tension. However, Alexander remained disinterested, standing up on his legs after the sudden accident had caught his attention.

"Oh, damn it! I missed the news," he uttered in frustration, his disappointment evident. With a tinge of regret, he finished the last droplets of his tea, a small solace amid the chaos surrounding him.

Stepping forward, he made his way to the counter, determined to settle his bill. Politely, he asked the attendant, "How much is it?"

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The man behind the counter replied, "20 rupees, please, sir."

"Okay," Alexander responded, reaching into his pocket to retrieve the required amount.

Retrieving the crinkled 20-rupee note from his pocket, Alexander handed it over to the man behind the counter, completing the transaction. His gaze remained fixed on the gathering crowd, hoping for a resolution to the ongoing dispute, but to no avail. The argument continued unabated.

Alexander sighed as he moved towards his bike, sneaking peeks at the contentious argument in the distance. He quietly inserted his keys into the ignition despite the ongoing chaos. The bike's engine screamed to life as he got on, engulfing the air with its powerful sound. He expertly avoided every danger by moving through the bumpy, pothole-filled road with a steady hand. He occasionally felt a small jolt that reminded him of the bumps, but he was able to keep control of the circumstance thanks to his skilful manoeuvring. He carefully steered and expertly manoeuvred through the holes, slowing down when necessary, with only slight jolts.

After enduring a long and jolting ride, Alexander finally reached the main road, where the quality of the pavement improved significantly, offering a smoother journey. With determination, he directed his bike towards the laboratory situated near the Defense 1 area, eager to meet Zoe, the scientist to whom he had entrusted the mud samples from his search at Jack's home.

Amidst the rumbling of his bike and the surrounding road noises, Alexander's phone suddenly erupted into a familiar melody, its sound blending with the symphony of the road. Reacting swiftly, he released one hand from the handlebars, extracting his phone from his pocket. He scrutinized the screen, identifying the caller as Zoe.

Swiping on the green call icon, Alexander brought the phone to his ear. "Hello, Zoe," he greeted, his voice projecting over the ambient road noise.

"Are you on your way?" Zoe inquired, her voice reaching him through the phone's speaker.

"Yes, Zoe. I'm on route. Currently riding my bike. I'll give you a call once I'm outside," Alexander shouted, exerting effort to ensure his words reached Zoe amidst the cacophony of the road.

"Okay, bye," Zoe replied, and the call ended abruptly.

"thtuhtuh." Alexander deftly returned the phone to his pocket, his focus now solely on the road ahead as he continued his journey.

Alexander quickly made a right turn, passing an impressive statue of an honoured individual and then a busy high school. However, he turned away from the clear path that led to the lab and instead headed in the direction of a well-known restaurant called "Cosy Haleem." Parking his bike, he dismounted and settled himself at a table, eagerly awaiting the arrival of a waiter to take his order.

Alexander was surrounded by a buzzing environment with people seated at plastic tables and chairs, engaged in a state of nostalgic reverie. His mind was inundated with images of the happy times he had spent with Jack Sterling. These memories were nevertheless tinged with sadness because Jack would never remember these memories due to a crucial incident that had happened while they were residents of the orphanage. Alexander wondered if Jack still had any recollection of their prior connection as he was lost in thinking.

Alexander was suddenly presented with a platter of sizzling biryani, its alluring fragrance filling his nostrils. He started to enjoy the savoury rice dish, savouring each mouthful with eagerness. He chose a bottle of cold Pepsi to go with his lunch because the coolness was a welcome change from the heated biryani. The biryani cost 50 rupees, while a bottle of Pepsi was available for 40 rupees.

15 Mins Later…

Once again astride his bike, Alexander embarked on the final leg of his journey, arriving at the lab premises. As he neared the destination, the noise levels subsided, and the road grew quieter, with fewer passers by. Positioned behind a hospital building, the lab stood on a separate road. Easing the roaring engine to a halt, Alexander turned the key anticlockwise and removed it from the ignition, tucking it safely into his pocket. His gaze fixated on the glass doors that led to the lab.

Approaching the entrance, Alexander walked in front of the doors, where a vigilant security guard stood dressed in a black cotton uniform, clutching a baton. Offering a nod of acknowledgment, Alexander entered the lab, instantly greeted by the refreshing embrace of cool air conditioning. Its continuous flow created a stark juxtaposition with the warmth of the sun outside. The lab's pristine appearance was enhanced by its tiled surroundings, imparting a clean and somewhat utopian ambiance.

Drawing out his phone from his pocket, Alexander accessed the phone app, intending to place a call to Zoe.