You're Just a Student, Professor!

7. Were Tom and Jerry Friends?

"I saw you at the restaurant that day."

"Hello to you too, professor and thanks for stating the obvious."

Naina gives the man a sickeningly sweet and fake plastic smile which he of course doesn't return, and settles down besides her, much to her dismay.

She remembers the librarian asking them both to change their seats, at least one of them but the question is, why would she? She had been sitting on this table since long ago. It was right next to the biggest window in the library which tended to disturb others but gave pleasure to her. This was the answer of the professor as well because before they had started talking or rather had started insulting each other, she had seen him at the table many times. And hence none of them agreed to change the seat.

Daksh clears his throat, gaining Naina's attention who was busy writing a paper for her minor course.

She looks at him but when he doesn't say anything, she shrugs, going back to her work.

He clears his throat once again, giving a small cough in his fist.

And before Naina could ask an irritated 'what', he speaks.

"You weren't looking very happy." He murmurs, almost in his mouth but Naina hears it crystal clear.

A small 'oh,' leaves her mouth at an observation she had never expected this man to make. She tries her best to dismiss it.

"Where did you get that idea? I was and am very happy." She fakes a smile again as as she says that but his face tells that he isn't buying it but nonetheless, he shrugs and says a small 'ok'.

And something about that easily silenced conversation, makes Naina feeling unsettled and so this time it's her who initiates it.

"I get happy with a selected few. The first lot of my friends..." She trails off, answering the unasked questions and drums her fingers over the table top when the man looks at her.

He nods. "Yeah, you seemed much happier after that guy came."

Naina squints her eyes, not believing the very calm answer, but nods anyway. "Yeah... Wait, how did you do that?"

He frowns in confusion, "what?"

"You started the conversation today with... without commenting on my knowledge or brain. Or calling me dumb. How?"

The professor rolls his eyes, an amused huff of breath escaping his mouth. "Why, do you miss it?" He asks rhetorically, before continuing.
"I anyways, only do that while you're solving a problem. Not all the time."

"So you admit doing that!"

He shrugs again, a sheepish look coming over his face. "Maybe..."

Naina is left gaping at the response, at least for a few seconds.

"Why?"

"What?"

"Why are you being like this today?"

"Like what?"

Naina frowns, "like this," she gestures between them. "Being so calm, so out of the character, agreeing with me so easily?"

"Really?"

"Yeah?"

"Well, maybe..."

"See! That's what I'm talking about. No argument at all." She complains and abruptly stops, a suspicious and insecure look hovering in her eyes.

"You're - you're not pitying me, right? You saw me at the restaurant like that, you must think...."

"Oh, please. I have way more important things to do then pity a girl all too eager to spend money on her friends." He says and lets out an amused laugh. His words lacks malice this time.