Once Upon a University Campus

Mr Oberoi is very fond of Miss Sunshine...

The new year had started on the right note. The semester was to start in a couple of days, so students had started trickling back to campus. As usual, they came back with horror stories of fog related delays, long distance trains running 5-10 hours behind schedule, flights getting delayed / cancelled. A few students Annika used to tutor brought her Pedas, homemade ladoos on their way back. It was generally fun times at the campus to have friends back and to finally see people in the mess, common areas and corridors of hostels..

Annika too was excited about the new research project. Given that this project would take up more time, she decided not to take up one-on-one tutoring this semester but she continued with her Hindi transition students. She had been doing her preliminary reading related to the new research project, it was going to be an uphill project.

IT folks from Oberoi industries had reached out to her and set up a time for her go to their office and pick up laptop to get started. Prof Phatak too had asked her to meet him at his office early that morning. She reached Prof Phatak's office a few minutes early. While she stood outside Prof Phatak's office waiting for him, a good looking young man in jeans, body hugging T-shirt and what looked like real Nike shoes also walked up to Prof Phatak's office. His attire definitely did not look like that of a student. Despite the cold he was not wearing a jacket or a sweater. Was he sporting a man bun?. It was not clear but Annika did not want to stare at him awkwardly from close quarters. The man walked around a bit but wound up close to Prof Phatak's office.

'Waiting for Prof Phatak?' He tried to strike a conversation with Annika. Annika nodded.

'I am Daksh Khurrana, I am Prof Phatak's new old student' he stretched out his hand.

'Ah! There you are, both of you.' It was Prof Phatak lumbering in with his huge bag and a bottle of coke that he always carried. 'Sorry to keep you waiting people, I am running a little late this morning. ' he continued while unlocking his office door. ' So have you met already.'

'She met me but I am yet to meet her' Daksh replies playfully.

'Oh Daksh! Are you ever going to grow up?. Annika this is Daksh. He used to be a student here, I think he is a couple of years your senior, but took up a corporate job soon after his post graduation. He was working with a famous consulting company in New York these few years. Now he wants to do his PhD, so he quit his cushy job and is back in India. He will be starting just this semester. Since he has worked in consulting before, I thought it would be a good idea for you both to team up and work on the Oberoi industry research project. You can do the data gathering and the other thankless tasks, me and you will write the analysis and prepare the report, while he can he can help us with formatting, presenting, graphs, power point slides and all the fancy things that these companies do. When we are at it, let's have some fun corporate style.' Prof Phatak elaborated. 

'But sir, you did not introduce her to me!'  Dakha beaming a naughty smile.

Prof Phatak suddenly remembered, ''Oh yeah, Daksh, this is Annika, my senior PhD student"

Daksh outstretched both his arms making a hugging gesture, but Annika quickly stepped behind a chair to avoid him. She was horrified that some one can do this to her in front of Prof Phatak. Annika was livid and if not for Prof Phatak, her Chandni would have given him a befitting reply.

'Just Kidding, it is very nice to meet you Annika'  Daksh said that with a dramatic bow.

'Daksh, think of Annika as my own daughter. If I hear anything unnecessary,  remember, this year you have coursework and your grade are here' Prof Phatak pointed out to himself.

'Sir, I will treat Annika like your own daughter, don't worry' stepping close to Prof Phatak he also said 'so shall I call you Sasurji from now on.'