A train crash.  I was just a few blocks away at Los Toros on Reseda and Topanga Canyon where I went to hang out with co-workers on Friday after work.  I was slightly pissed because Sara was stuck in traffic (from the accident) to meet up with us.  My cousin and her training group from Medtronic were there, we were all laughing drinking, unaware of the extent of the tragedy less than an hour ago.

First, I was worried about my other cousin who frequents the train to work in Pasadena then back to Simi Valley.  I called his ass, left a voicemail to call me back, and he never did.  I hate you Austin.  I thank God you drove to work that day to visit your girlfriend instead of taking that damn train.  Fucking answer your phone.

Second, Sara mentioned about Gary who takes the train to work too.  Luckily, he skipped work to go to Knott's Berry Farm, another close call. 

Third, Angie was actually taking a train home from Cal Poly, but was on a later train that got stopped at Santa Barbara because of the crash. 

When we got back home, we watched the news.  I found out from my mom that Austin was fine.  We were both happy that everyone we could think of was safe.

Then tonight, a day after the crash, the Fatality List comes out.  Heather calls Sara in tears, telling her that Atul Vyas age 20 from Simi Valley was confirmed as one of the deceased. No it couldn't be.  I went to high school with him.  I played ball with him.  I didn't believe it.  I acted strong for Sara, still skeptical, still hoping that this was someone else…
 
Atul, my young paya… I remember in high school how we would exchange witty comments, me the upper classman and you the smarter little punk.  Typically, you would often get the best of me so I’d resort to immature jokes, all in good fun.  When we would ball, the trash talk continued on the courts.  Looking at our Facebook wall-to-wall posts, that tradition had still carried on.  However, the last time we played basketball together, for some reason I distinctly remember not trash talking at all with you.  Maybe I was finally too mature and it was cool.  We were cool.  We had fun and I’ll never forget times like that.  I’ll never forget your health issues and you collapsing one time during a game.  That was scary.  Yet you fought through all those hardships and kept on playing, kept on working hard, and kept on living.

I remember our discussions on hip hop and you sometimes wearing those big headphones.  Here is a short conversation last year when I was still in school at Berkeley:

Atul: your side of california is responsible for terrible music. the yay area hyphy movement is garbage, dawg
Me: hater
Atul: sorry i hate bad music. i apologize. really

That is what I’ll miss most, his unapologetic, supremely confident, and sharp humor.  Atul you were so brilliant that admittedly, at times I was envious of how easy high school seemed for you.  I knew you had the potential to do anything you wanted.  Damn, you were so brilliant (SAT score of 1580/1600.. not bad) and so young, 20 and you were already about to interview for MIT and Harvard medical school!  You would have been an amazing doctor.  I pray for you and your family.  You will be deeply deeply missed.


I think his father said it better than I or anyone could ever describe him...

"He was a thoroughly brilliant kid, flying high."

— Vijay Vyas, father