“Steve. Take her without thinking twice. She will be a great asset. Great aptitude for research and hard-working,” Subrato was speaking to an acquaintance in New York University, when Paridhi came in. He quickly finished the conversation, “It is some unearthly hour there, Steve. I will call you back later. Bye.”

Paridhi had come back from home after a short break between the trimesters.

“Congratulations Paridhi. You are still the topper after last trimester’s result,” he welcomed her.

“I myself haven’t collected the grade-sheet. How do you know?”

“It is not some super-secret. We have access to the grade sheets of all students.”

“Right. I was worried about the grade in independent study,” she teased him, “The prof was so difficult to please.”

“You managed to scrape through,” Subrato also replied in jest and both of them laughed. “So, how was the break?”

“I spoke to him finally. Just for a few minutes.”

“Spoke to whom? Oh! You finance?”

“Yeah. Aniket Chauhan. That’s his name. I guess I never told you that.”

“You didn’t. I had started wondering if you knew yourself. Anyway, how did it go?”

“It was just how-are-you-i-am-fine conversation. But I did tell him that I intend to pursue a Ph. D. or get a job there. He said that was fine with him.”

“That’s… That’s great Paridhi. So, you are feeling better now?”

“I am indeed. May be this great Indian arranged marriage drama will work out all right.”

“I’m very happy for you. So, what else did you do?”

“Went Lehanga shopping,” she grinned, “Now help me. I have these photos from the trials. Tell me which one looks good.”

“Arr… Me? I am not an expert.”

“I’m not asking for an expert opinion. Here, see these,” she handed her mobile phone to him. It had photos of hers in different lehangas. Something made him feel very uncomfortable as he went through those photos. But making his choice was not difficult. It was purple lehanga with heavy silver work that caught his attention. It looked very good on her.

“This one,” he showed the photo to her.

“Wow! I liked this too. But everyone thought I should get something in red or related shades.”

“Like I said I am not an expert. They probably know better.”

“But for this one thing, the final choice is mine. I am going with the purple one.”

“Sure?”

“Yes.”

“By the way, which company does Aniket work for?”

“He works for Praxis Solutions, their offshore Indian arm actually. But he has been on site for last 2 years in New York.”

“Praxis Solutions?” Subrato asked looking tense.

“Yes. Why? Some problem?”

“No. No. Nothing like that. So, things are looking great for you. Only one trimester left here.”

“Yes. And I have only three courses this trimester. It is going to be very light.”

“And placements?”

“I won’t hear from the universities before placements, will I?”

“Unlikely.”

“Then yes – placement madness too.”

“You would prefer a Ph. D. over a job? Assuming you get one that takes you to US?”

“You yourself said I would do better in a Ph. D.”

“That was my assessment. But what do you want?”

“I trust your assessment.”

“You shouldn’t trust anyone blindly.”

She laughed at that, “Sometimes it is my fate. At least here, it is my choice. Anyway. So, Mummy is very happy with my compliance. So, I have some extra pocket-money this time. Not enough to pay you the application fees back. But I can take you out for a nice dinner.”

“That’s great. But you shouldn’t be spending your extra pocket-money on me.”

“Who should I be spending it on?”

“I don’t know. Yourself. Your friends.”

“Why are you being so pricey. You don’t want to come with me?”

“Arr… No. No. I was just… trying to be nice?”

“Don’t then. Are you free tonight?”

“Very much.”

“I will meet you at the institute gate at quarter to seven, then.”

“Okay Ma’am. Whatever you say.”

—

“You were also in New York, right?” Paridhi asked during their ride to the restaurant.

“Yeah.”

“You must know the place very well then.”

“Like the back of my hand. I had assumed it would be my home for rest of my life.”

“And then you landed in Lucknow!” Paridhi chuckled, “Plan on going back?”

“I have two-year contract with the institute. Will see after that. Haven’t made up my mind.”

“Do you like it here?”

“In parts.”

“Which parts do you like?”

He grinned, “Being mistaken as a first year MBA student. That is very flattering.”

“Shut up. It’s not fair to bring that up. I made a fool of myself, all right.”

“Well – you asked the question.”

She pouted and did not reply.

“I also like our dinner dates. So long as your mother-in-law doesn’t intervene.”

“Stop making fun of me.”

“You don’t seem to appreciate genuineness. Am I supposed to say that I like the greenery on the campus, the academic environment, the director and the PGP chairman?”

“I give up!”

“Here we are. Falaknuma at Clark Awadh. This would be extremely expensive. Are you sure we are going here?”

“I have cash with me. If I run out of it, you can pay the balance. I won’t pay for any hard drinks, by the way.”

“I won’t dare being caught drinking with an underage girl!”

“What the… I am not underage!”

Subrato laughed out loud, “I know. I was just pulling your leg. If I can be a first year MBA student, you’d very much be underage. Come now.”

—

It was another restless night for Subrato. Why the hell had she worn a purple dress to the dinner? He had not commented on it, but he could not put her image in that dress out of his mind. The color did indeed suit her well. But why did she…

And her fiance was at Praxis Solutions. Their New York office. Should he? Should he not? Will it be a help or an interference?

—

To be continued