Once Upon a University Campus

Pepper Spray and Safety Alarm

It was rare day with plenty of sun for January. Annika woke up that morning with a relief that the laptop was no longer her headache. It turned out Prof Phatak called her up in the morning to ask her to take Daksh along with her to the Oberoi's office so she could introduce him to Mr Oberoi and his team. Prof Phatak must have made a similar call to Daksh as well and it was arranged that Annika and Daksh would meet up at the entrance of Oberoi's office right around the start of office hours. Annika was peeved that Prof Phatak was imposing on her a headache like Daksh but she could do nothing about it. She had her trump card with her if he got too nosy or flirtatious.

She grabbed a few books she thought she might need as she explored the data and walked over to Oberoi's office reaching earlier than expected. The adjacent parking lot was mostly empty. Annika inferred that people were yet to come into office. Daksh too was nowhere to be seen. After carrying the heavy books and walking all the way, her shoulders slightly ached. She put down her bag, settled down at the corner of the wide stairway that led to the main entrance with one of the books she was carrying. A few minutes into the book, she found something very relevant and start making notes on loose sheets of paper, as was lately her choice. It was difficult to edit notes in a book, but loose sheets can always be inserted into or removed from binders more conveniently. With the tender winter sun for company, she went on with her business unmindful of people walking into the office. Nor did anyone bother her. Daksh was woefully late, so much so that Annika pretty much forgot about him. She must have been there for an hour at the least.

"Ms Trivedi? "

Annika for a second forgot where she was and what she was up to and stood right up dropping her books, loose notes and pen.

"Mr Ou..beroi. How come you are here? " clumsily trying to pick up her loose sheets, book and the pen that was rolling away from her.

"Well, it turns out that I work here Ms. Trivedi." Mr Outsider said as he took off his shades.

Annika looked around and realized where she was and did not know what to say.

"Did you say why you are here on the stairs? " Mr Outsider quizzically

"I.. I am actually waiting for Daksh the research scholar who will be working with me. He should have been here but looks like some miscommunication and I am still waiting for him." Annika sounded apologetic.

"That is alright Ms Tridevi. You could wait in the lobby if you wish and ask the security staff to let in anyone by that name. It is a bit windy, and your loose sheet might fly away." Mr Outsider was now mocking her.

Annika nodded and Mr. Outsider went his way.

Daksh took some more time to arrive and Annika was really really mad at him. But she was helpless.But when he did come, he did it in style. He was wearing formal clothes, his hair was pulled back in a pompadour, shoes were shiny. It did appear that he had taken care to appear his best that day. Annika was still busy with her book and notes when he stopped by her and coughed to attract her attention. Of course she did not recognize him then and there.

"Hello sweetie, how is the morning treating my dear Annika" Daksh teased her. Annika gave him a confused look and it was amply clear that she did not recognize him.

"Oh my dear Anni, you do not recognize your hot teammate? I do look good, don't I" Daksh sounded very vain as he adjusted his tie.

" Oh Mr Khurana. Looks like you live in the Dubai. It is only there that it is 10 AM right now"

"How sweet of you dear Annika. So will you not escort me inside and introduce me to our new boss? By the way we got to spend some time to put our best foot forward"