Paritosh remained silent for most part during the meeting Rupali had organized with other faculty members interested in collaborating with her on research. But he observed keenly as she discussed the research possibilities with her colleagues, refined the research questions, broke them down into actionable hypotheses and figured out what kind of help they would need from outside to carry those out.

“Obviously, we can’t have Ph. D. students right now, but we should look at hiring some research associates. And we need not look at people from particular disciplines. We should just hire good, intelligent people so long as they are interested and passionate about the research questions. We can look at hiring statistics and engineering graduates as well. They bring a different perspective and are very good and quick with quantitative techniques.”

“But will we get the permission to hire graduates of non-humanities discipline?”

Rupali looked at Paritosh. “I will talk to the director. It should be possible. But we can’t pay them beyond the sanctioned maximum for Research Associates.” he said.

“If our sponsors agree to pay them more?” Rupali asked.

“It can’t strictly be their salary. But we will see… May be as scholarships or something,” he had to help her in whatever ways possible.

“That should do. Let’s write down the research proposals for the five projects we have discussed. Then I and Dr. Khanna will work on the presentation to be made to the possible sponsors. Our aim should be to write at least ten good papers based on these and then we can expect to have three or four accepted in the top journals.”

Paritosh could feel that the three other faculty members sitting in the room were excited and motivated. There was something satisfying about seeing her like this. The nervousness and lack of confidence he had witnessed in her earlier was not how he remembered her as a student. This confident Rupali, whom people willingly followed, was more reassuring.

—

“Paritosh. Am I disturbing you?”

“Mrs. Banerjee? What a pleasant surprise! Please come in,” Paritosh welcomed Mouli warmly into his office.

“I’m sorry. I have come without an appointment.”

“This isn’t the Prime Minister’s Office. You are welcome anytime.”

“That’s so sweet of you. I had come to pick Rupali up for a shopping sojourn! I thought I’d say ‘hi’ to you too.”

“That was a really good thought. I am so happy to see you here. What would you have? Coffee? Tea?”

“Nothing. Don’t bother with formalities. Rupali would be waiting for me.”

“Still–”

“Listen. I had to ask you something.”

“Yeah?”

“Do you mind my dragging you into our social circle?”

“What kind of question is that? Of course not. It’s a pleasure, in fact.”

“That’s great. Then you shouldn’t decline my invitation to you for a dinner tomorrow evening?”

“What’s the occasion?”

“No occasion. Just thought you could join me and Rupa for dinner. It’d be a change for all of us.”

“Does Rupali know?”

“Does either of us need her permission for this?”

“You are too clever with words, Mrs. Banerjee,” Paritosh laughed slightly, “No. We don’t need her permission. I’d be happy to join you.”

“Great then. Eight pm. Tomorrow. I look forward to seeing you.”

—

They were having coffee after dinner when Rupali got a call. She looked at the number and told Mouli, “It’s Sunidhi, Mom. I will be back in a while.”

“Sure.”

“Paritosh. I wanted to thank you for being a friend and mentor to Rupa. She really needs one.”

“You are embarrassing me by thanking me for that. It’s my duty.”

“She’s my daughter. And I have been a friend to her more than a mother. I know her strengths and weaknesses. Her father didn’t live long enough to be there for her. She didn’t have a responsible man in her life while growing up. Despite my best efforts, I couldn’t do anything to fill that gap in her life. She has suffered because of that. She needs a strong, guiding hand. Can I extract a selfish promise from you? Can you promise me to look after her?”

“You are worried about something. What is it?” her anxiety did not skip Paritosh’ notice.

“She doesn’t know about it yet. But I’m not going to live long. I am suffering from breast cancer. I can’t hide for long though. Soon enough, if I don’t tell her, my condition would.”

“Oh!” Paritosh was so shocked that he could hardly say anything.

“Sorry to bring you in between all this. But I’m a selfish mother–”

“Don’t say that. In fact, I have to thank you for trusting me so much. It means a lot for me. Really!”

“Thanks, Paritosh. I will tell her soon enough. Till then keep this a secret. But please promise me that you will look after her after I’m gone. She is intelligent. But she does have tendency to stumble about in life. And I’d die peacefully, if I know someone is there to support her when that happens.”

“I promise, Mrs. Banerjee! But you must not worry so much. You have raised a responsible daughter and–” He paused because they heard Rupali’s footsteps. She was coming back.

“Everything okay?” Rupali sensed the tension in the room. But Paritosh managed the situation.

“Yes. Rupali. Can I trouble you for another cup of coffee?” he said.

“That’s no trouble at all. I will get one. Mom. Shall I get one for you too?”

“Yes, dear. That would be awesome.”

Paritosh quickly turned to Mouli to complete his assurance, “I will be with her as her friend. Always. You have nothing to worry about.” He had to blink back his tears as he grasped the gravity of the situation.

“Thank you,” Mouli pressed Paritosh’ hands in gratitude.

—

“Sir, this is Rohan Moitra. He is joining us as an RA today. I already told you about him. Rohan, this is Dr. Paritosh Khanna. Our HOD. Make sure you keep him happy, else your meager salary won’t be released,” Rupali introduced them with the joke.

“Hi Rohan. Welcome. And don’t worry about keeping me happy. The toughest person to please here is Dr. Banerjee herself. If she is happy, everyone else will be.”

“Thanks, Dr. Khanna. I know that. Have known her for a while now.”

“Shut up, Rohan,” Rupali protested, “Focus on work now. After this, you should go back to Meher. She will help you finish all the other administrative formalities. I will be in my office if you need me.”

“Yes Ma’am!”

“So, Rohan,” Paritosh started the conversation after Rupali left, “What made you take up this job at a Social Sciences institute? Rupali told me you are a Computer Science graduate.”

“Yeah. I have been doing Computer Science for last five years. It’s good, but I needed a break and a change. I was considering various options, including working for some NGOs, but this looked like the most solid and challenging opportunity.”

“How so?”

“Rupali has a vision. You got to take it seriously.”

“Yeah,” Paritosh smiled. It wasn’t only him. She still had that ability to make people want to agree with her, he thought fondly, “You have known each other for long?”

“On and off. I was with her in school for couple of year. . But my parents changed cities often, so we lost touch. We met again in the US. Thanks to IGSA[1] of the university.”

“You went to NYU too?”

“Yes. I was in Computer Science though.”

“Hmm… Nice.”

—

To be continued