18

Chapter 13

Time flew so fast and Nil and Nisha didn't realize when they finished 4 hours of study session. They hurriedly packed their bags because the lecture was about to start. As Nisha packed her bag, she thought for a moment about asking Nil to participate in the competition. She knew that he was equally fascinated by the idea, but she wasn't sure how to do that.

She packed her bag, but Nil was still packing. As he leaned to grab the one book, his bag fell on the floor and all the notes scattered. Nisha, sensing what happened from the corner of her eyes, helped him to collect the notes when she noticed some clothes were peaking out from his bag with a yellow tennis ball. She just ignored it and helped him. Since the lecture was about to start, they both left the library and while walking Nil requested as he pointed at his mask,

"Nisha, please keep it a secret."

"Um, yes, don't worry about it." Nisha said, but she thought what if she asked him to participate, in exchange for keeping a secret? But then she felt that it would be cruel, and she dropped that plan.

So they entered the lecture hall. The lecture was about integrals and it was by far the most frustrating topic for everyone. Nisha and Nil sat beside Aarush, who was surprisingly sitting in the first row.

"Where have you been?" Aarush asked Nisha in a lower voice.

"Sorry... I was studying in the library." Nisha replied in a lower voice as well while hiding the part about teaching Nil mechanics. "No worries... I thought you fell sick again." He said with a smile and focused on the lecture. Nisha smiled at his reply but forced herself to not go again into crush stuff.

Near 4 PM, Nisha was free from lectures and practicals for today. She still had some study to complete, but before that, she went to take a coffee break in the café Latte Zone alone. As she sat near the window table with her coffee, she returned to her thoughts. With each sip, her thoughts were running towards nowhere. Suddenly the train of thought stopped as her phone buzzed with caller ID 'MOM'.

She picked it up quickly.

Nisha: Yes Mom...

Mom: Busy?

Nisha: No, I took a coffee break.

Mom: How many times I have told you that don't drink much coffee?

Nisha: Hmm... but why you called?

Mom: To tell you something. I got a promotion.

Nisha (In an excitedly louder voice): What? Which post?

Nisha realized it was too loud, so she apologized other softly.

Mom: AVP, Assistant Vice President and you are the first one to know this.

Nisha (Smiled): Wow Mom.... now all aunts and you're the mother-in-law will be jealous.

Mom: Who knows? It wasn't my intention at all, they all were just against my IT job idea, but who cares now?

Nisha: Yes, it means a salary increase as well, right?

Mom: Yes, but let me tell you one thing, since I haven't graduated from a top university like the ex-AVP, I won't get as much salary as he got.

Nisha: Wait, does the rank of the university also matter?

Mom: Yes, for example, imagine you and Aarav have the same post, but because of graduating from IIT Bombay, he will get a higher salary than you.

Nisha: Ah... got it.

Mom: Well Aarav told me that he is coming to Pune for some exhibition, go with him. You will learn something. Got it?