"David!!" I scream his name and run towards him. There is no response from him, but he looks like he is clinching his eyes in pain kinda.

I go behind the monitor and try to do something to get him out of it, but that's when it strikes me, I can't do anything it's all on him.

If he wants to come back only this is possible or if the time period is over, I frantically search the stop watch that is usually should be running showing how many more hours or minutes is left.

But to my dismay, it reads six hours and there is no movement of the seconds or minutes. As a last resort I was about to unplug the machine that's when I hear a sobbing sound, happy that he is back.

I run towards him, but he sobs like a small child and I can't help but join him and we have an ugly crying session.

After few minutes he sobers up and my tears dry out as well, I slowly pull him off the chair and make him sit on the couch.

As I am filling the glass with ice cold water he says, "I am a failure aren't I?"

With his drooped shoulders and red inflamed eyes with dark under eyes. His beard has grown beyond the normal limit and he looks just shabby and tired.

"Why would you say that?" I ask and sit next to him handing him the glass of water.

He takes a small sip and says, "I was not able to go to the parallel universe."

"Wait what?" I ask and turn towards him fully.

"Yeah I mean as I told you earlier that was the reason I asked for your help, if it was possible I would have done it myself." He tells slowly.

I just nod my head and look down, being loss of words. I don't know if I can do it again, it was just painful and I felt so tired and it was energy consuming.

More than all of that; the potential damage of the butterfly effect. I read more about it this past one week. I came to know for sure it's not something we have to be mindless about.

"I know Hayley I told you I won't pressurize you, but Hayley this is my dream! This is everything that I am and what I worked my ass off for the past three years. Please I am begging you, please be part of the project." He kneels down with tears flowing continuously he looked so bad and sad.

I never knew he would become this helpless and hopeless, the David I knew was the man who passed his degree in honors and a straight A student with a very bright future.

But now the man in front of me is someone who is broken and seems like he need some psychiatric support.

But before I could think more on that, he tells, "I am sure I look pathetic and psychotic too you. But please talk bad about me but not my project not my theory. It's a working theory Hayley, it is because you went there. You are the living proof parallel universe is real. Do you know how many scientists and countries are working for to make that true. Do you?" He says in despair.

I do nothing but nod my head and look down.

"Ok I will do it." I say slowly more like mumbled it.

"Really are you sure?" David asks as he looks at me with pure earnest and hope.

I stand up and take a paper and pen, and say, "But before that some ground rules."

"Whatever you say!" He says exclaims as he stands up and wipes his tear like a five year old after he sees a candy.

"Give me some money and also can you make me rich in that universe."

He laughs at my answer and pulls me down to sit, "Actually Hayley there is lot of parallel universe happening simultaneously around us at this second. But my machine, the formula in which it works is that it chooses the most closest and real universe to the current one that subject is living. So that the transition time will be easy and they can go about doing their activities like usual."

"Oh ok that explains why I was fat and broke as fuck in that." I pout and look at him.

"Nah don't see that only, it's the same university you are going to and same apartment complex you are living. It's just that the living condition is bad but to be honest I don't know how to change that factor. When I was making the formula or the coding for that matter all that I had in my mind was that it should be some place that is habitable. I mean think about it what if it was a jungle or like a place where slavery was still a thing. How bad would that be?" He smiles and says.

"Ok ok fine! Agreed but I need some money for sure and buy me one no two cheese burgers and a large coke." I huff and cross my hands.

"Anything for you! Thank you so much Hayley, you don't know how much this means to me." He says quickly but sincerely as he places the order for what I asked.

"I am sure I know how much. Take care of yourself David. I am proud of you, we all are. Don't lose hope ok!" I say patting his shoulder.

Eventhough he is older to me there were many times I had to take the high end and make sure he is fine and taking care of himself. I mean that's what cousins are for isn't it!

***
"Are you ready, Hayley?" He asks and I close my eyes and nod with my pockets full with few hundered dollar bills.

I am much more confident to go than before, if only it was that easy.

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