“You reviewed the presentation for the sponsors?” Rupali came to Paritosh’ office and asked.

“I glanced through it. I will send you the comments by this evening. Rohan won’t stay even to finish his one-year contract?”

“No. I feel horrible, Dr. Khanna. It was really a professional decision for me to hire him. But he isn’t willing to stay on professional grounds. I don’t know what to do.”

“His situation is awkward. He should have behaved more professionally, but don’t hold a grudge him. And don’t worry. We’ll be able to get some help. I have spoken to some of the leading statisticians of the country.”

She smiled at him in gratitude.

“You look really tired,” he asked, “What happened?”

“Nothing. Was preparing for the extra lectures. I think I would be able to finish the syllabus by next week. I have also finished grading the mid-semester papers.” She wanted to be prepared for the eventuality that the worst news might come for Mouli and she’d have to go on a leave before the semester was over.

“You shouldn’t fall ill–”

“I am fine. I am going to leave early today. I will have another meeting with the research team to go over the final presentation tomorrow. Which reminds me of something. After the last meeting you had asked me about my students calling me by first name. What was the problem?”

“Problem is, Dr. Banerjee, that I am jealous.”

“Huh?”

“Because even my ex-students do not give me that privilege.”

“What privilege? Oh!” she smiled as his meaning dawned on her, “So you suddenly got this urge of being called by your first name by your ex-students?”

“At least by one.”

“Too late, Sir. You have to cultivate that habit from day one.”

“There has to be a way of undoing things.”

“If there is, find it,” she teased him with a challenging smile and left.

—

“Hello, Sir?” Rupali woke up from her sleep with Paritosh’ call. She had come home early, as she had told him that evening, and had gone to sleep.

“Sorry to wake you up, Rupali, but you might want to come to the hospital.”

“What happened?” she panicked.

“Ma is conscious. She is even able to talk a bit. Come over.”

“I will be there in twenty minutes.”

Rupali found Sunidhi and Aditya also at the hospital. Sunidhi and Paritosh were sitting beside Mouli’s bed and were talking to her. Rupali smiled and went by her side.

“Rupa,” Mouli smiled on seeing her.

“You look well, Mom,” Rupali smiled back and caressed her forehead affectionately.”

“Are you doing well, my child?”

“I am perfectly fine. Don’t stress yourself. And Aditya,” she turned to him, “How are you?”

“I am fine, Rupali. I and Sunidhi were passing by. So, we decided to drop by.”

“Good you did that.”

“And since so many people are here today and everyone is so happy, I want to do something that will make me very happy too,” Paritosh said suddenly.

Rupali was amused at the announcement, “Good to know that you think about your own happiness too. So, what is going to make you happy?”

“If, with your Mom’s permission, you will say ‘yes’ to me,” he said and took out a ring from his pocket. Rupali stared at him and the ring in surprise. He took her hand in his and asked, “May I?”

Her eyes became moist. She looked at Mouli, who smiled. Rupali turned back to Paritosh and nodded while blushing heavily. Paritosh slipped the ring on her finger. Sunidhi and Aditya clapped and handed a bouquet to Rupali, “Congratulations!”

“Where did this come from?” Rupali was surprised. Sunidhi, Aditya and Paritosh grinned in response. “You planned all this?” she asked Paritosh.

“Kind of. I had to do it some time. But when I saw that Ma was awake today, I thought this was the day. Thankfully, Sunidhi and Aditya could make it in time.”

“Thank you, Paritosh,” Mouli spoke now, “You can’t imagine how happy I am today.”

“Thank you,” Paritosh replied emphatically, “But for you, I would still be struggling with my confusions and insecurities.”

“What else are old people there for?”

Everybody laughed and Paritosh felt good that Mouli hadn’t lost her sense of humor even in her illness.

—

Paritosh kissed her hand near the ring he had slipped on her finger earlier in the evening. “Do you know what this means, Rupali?”

“I think I do. Everyone does. But perhaps you have a new meaning in mind.”

“No. Nothing new. By accepting this ring, you accepted to be my life partner. As my equal. And that is important!”

“Why?”

“Because this new relationship, of being equal partners, now supersedes any relationship we have had till now. Anything that made us unequal, teacher-student, boss-subordinate, mentor-mentee, they don’t matter any longer. This relationship is what matters.”

Rupali realized where this was leading to, “So, you have found a way of undoing things?”

“Have I succeeded?”

“I don’t know what am I supposed to do as an equal partner,” Rupali said sincerely, “You must know that I respect you a lot and still look up to you.”

“So do I. Mutual respect is a good thing for any relationship, don’t you think so?”

“Yeah,” Rupali chuckled feeling slightly stupid about what she had said, “And I want to share your responsibilities.”

“You are already are doing that. There is just one simple thing I want you to do.”

“I know. But you do realize that it is more a matter of habit, than equality.”

“Undo the habit!”

“I will try.”

“Trying is not enough. You have to do it.”

“All right, Sir,” Rupali said to tease him and then giggled.

“That was a bad idea, Dr. Rupali Banerjee,” he held her tight and pulled her close to him, “Now rectify it, right away.”

Rupali blushed and said, “Paritosh.”

“Say it again.”

“Paritosh.”

“Again.”

“Paritosh.”

He had closed in on her by then and rest of their words drowned in their kiss.

“This is the night of engagement, not the wedding, do you remember that?” Rupali said playfully, when even after breaking the kiss, he kept caressing her nape and back.

“I remember. But do you care?”

“No. Do you?”

“Not any longer. You have bewitched me, my sweet, dear fiancée,” he said and started kissing all over her face. Rupali responded with gusto as she nuzzled and nibbled on his neck and chest. She gasped, when he suddenly lifted her in his arms. She hadn’t realized how strong he was compared to her. Once she did, she relaxed, wrapped her hands around his neck and closed her eyes. He gently laid her down on the bed and climbed on top of her. He pinned her down and started a sweet assault on her senses as he kissed and caressed her entire body. Soon, she was writhing under him. “Please,” she hissed, “Paritosh. Please…” Hearing her utter his name did it for him as he let go of himself and finally collapsed on top of her. It took them a few minutes to catch their breath, after which he rolled off to lie down on the bed beside her, still keeping her in his arms. He pulled her closer to himself. After a while, he propped up on his arm and used his free hand to play with her hair. “Are you fine?” he asked softly.

“Very,” she replied with a blushing smile. He bent down, kissed her forehead and then lied back on the bed again.

—

To be continued