Epistle 85: The Dual Avatar

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A/N: Hey there everyone! :D :D Here is the next update! :D :D

Happy Reading! :D :D

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6th November, 2007:

Oh. My. God.

You just won't believe what happened! The guy who I won 2000 bucks from the day before yesterday night at the bar...

He's my professor!

Yikes! I lured my professor into giving me two thousand dollars so stupidly! And not just that, but I even got drunk with him, roamed the whole city last night and became terribly good friends with him too! This is ludicrously absurd!

Alright, alright, I'll tell you what happened.

So the night before the last, you know how messed up I was. I'd gone for a stroll to get some fresh air to fill my stomach up a little. And somehow, I ended up at a bar. And not just that, but I ended up getting drunk on a whole new level, walked around half the city like that, and ended up asleep for almost eighteen hours knocked out cold. And then the next morning, during my Financial Law lecture when I finally felt the effects of the hangover fading away, I realized that he was actually my professor!

How much more horrific could it get!?

Oddly enough, there was a very weird exception this time. In spite of the horrible hangover I did have (as was to be expected since I binge drank when I was hungry), I still remembered all the events from that night. That usually would never be the case with country liquor, but the beer seems to have been fruitful in that way atleast. Thankfully when I woke up next, I was in my dorm and it was empty.

I don't know how I reached there too because the last part of the night was a little foggy, and it took me two glasses of lemon water and a painkiller for my throbbing headache to finally get my memory working. And well, this must be the most daredevil-ish sort of thing that I've ever done in my life. Roaming around half of Sydney drunk and that too with a stranger bleeding of so much money, no less.

But atleast from what I could make out, it was a lot of fun since from midnight to the next five (probably six?) hours from that beer competition, we've only been talking and talking! All kinds of random things about each other... likes, dislikes, funny stories, adventures, all of that sort. Somehow, I don't think we happened to discuss either of our personal lives at all. Just random blabbering that actually told us a lot about each other than we'd have normally known.

But all that I remember feeling was light the whole night. As though somebody had taken away all my burdens and had only left me with a calm that my mind, heart and soul refused to feel for the time being. It felt oddly... fulfilling, having someone beside you who for once in genuinely interested in listening to what you have to say rather than just be bound by the racial or any other sort of difference. Just two guys who are genuinely interested in what the other has to say (even though we were drunk). And do you know what the best part is? This didn't even happen coz we were drunk. Professor Finch is even better than that when he's sober.

But I'll get to that in a while.

So back to what happened when I woke up. Well, I did wake up by the midnight of the 5th leading to the 6th which is normal by my standards seeing how I'm usually knocked out cold for a minimum of fifteen to eighteen hours whenever I'm this drunk. And since I've been hardly getting any sleep in this one month, I think it fuelled it up a little more. But thankfully, my roommates were already fast asleep by then, so it was okay. Lesser questions to be asked and answered to.

So after two hours of painfully trying to rid myself of my hangover and recollecting most of the incidents from last night, I decided that it was best if I went over to the library and completed some of my research work rather than sit idle. I'm supposed to complete a fifty-five page thesis proposal by the end of the next week and I need to atleast get this submission done on time or else I'm screwed for good.

So putting on my jogging shoes at three in the morning, I quickly ran over to the library with all my books that I deposited at my favourite seat by the window from where I had the entire view of the brilliantly maintained gardens on the premises, before going for an hour-long run just to get the lethargy out from my system. This was the only problem whenever I got too drunk apart from the usual hangover - my system just seemed to crash and refuse to respond to any activity. So going on for a round of obsessive running was the only thing that helped.

So in spite of grumbling, whining and protesting to myself, I pushed myself out again from the library for a good run, flexing my legs and stretching my arms while hearing my bones crack from time to time. I could feel the strenuous running push away the lethargy from my limbs and mind, by the end of which I was as fresh I could hope to be with the only exception being that I still felt a little hungover.

By the time I returned to the library, it was already four and I just had three hours in hand until the lectures began. I don't think I made much of a head start with the research work, but I did manage to find several markers that I'd be needing as reference points in the future. By the time dawn broke out, my eyes were already staring outside the window, admiring how the brilliant shade of light kissed nature like a mother kissing its child, the sky fathering its love and affection across everywhere with the same bountiful equality.

It was beautiful, this dawn. And all I could think about was when the last time that I'd enjoyed a dawn like this was? It was with Ishaani, ofcourse. On the last day of the Ganesh Chaturthi when my life changed forever. That dawn created a different world for me, and so did today's dawn. There are some dawns in your life that you know have changed your life forever. Whether for better or for worse, only time could tell. But I knew that this morning's dawn had certainly changed my life. Gut feeling.

And it was the first time that I think I went without thinking about Ishaani for so long. A day and six hours, out of which six hours I was drunken roaming around the city making friends with a stranger who was just plain kind, eighteen hours where I was just knocked out silly and the other four I spent in trying to rid myself of the after effects of the hangover, and the last two went in just trying to work on my research paper. That might have been a personal record for myself, I think.

Life was funny.

But the falling of the dawn meant that I had to get back to my class as soon as I could because the first lecture was Financial Law, a new subject introduced in the syllabus this year. And given that I had no Sharman to turn to for any help since I never took much interest in the subject, I am all alone over here and will have to tinker with the subject on my own.

So by the time the morning bell for the commencement of the first lecture went off, I found myself seated right in the center of the class, halfway torn between attending the lecture and going back to my room and going off to sleep. The hangover was beginning to fade off, but for some odd reason, I just kept feeling so sleepy! And how I prayed that the lecture just got cancelled so that I could go sleep. The alcohol had certainly messed up my brains.

And then, the "professor" of Financial Law finally entered the class at dot point seven-thirty five (as was our lecture time), and I think I can safely say that I thought someone had slapped me stupid or else my hangover from the previous night had just not gotten off. There was Finch (well, 'Professor Finch') in front of the class in a crisp, steely-grey three piece suit, looking as dapper as always.

But gone was the jovial twinkle from his eyes as he set down his suitcase upon the table and looked at the class solemnly. His eyes took in all of us thirty students' appearances until his eye finally caught mine. There was a momentarily flicker of the same shock and surprise upon his face before his gaze continued sweeping across the huge semi-circular classroom, showing no other sign of recognition.

And then, the lecture began. He started off a lecture just by introducing us to the concepts of Financial Law and how it was interlinked to a certain extent with the economic and financial aspect pertaining to tax planning and economic analysis for individual firms. It was a subject just introduced into the syllabus as a dry run to help the students gain a better insight into not just theoretic aspects of economic research and analysis but its practical applicability taking all circumstances into account as well.

And for the hour and a half that his lecture went up for, all I could think was whether this was the same man that I'd met at the bar two nights ago or no. Because clearly, there was no resemblance whatsoever between the guy he met at the bar and the one who was his teacher right now. The man at the bar was jovial, lively and kind. The one who was my teacher was crisp, no-nonsense and had a mesmerizing pull upon the class that even the noisiest of students shut up for the span of time that he was talking for.

And I have had a LOT of professors so far, but Professor Finch was just sheer brilliant!

I didn't even come to know when the lecture came to an end, I was so consumed in whatever point he had to say and make. And by the time I could catch up with him, the next faculty had already reached the class so there was no time for any sort of interaction. But one thing had happened for certain - by the end of Professor Finch's lecture, I'd lost any remaining trace of my hangover as well.

After the first and the biggest bomb of a surprise today, the rest of the day went pretty normal with lecturers appearing and flitting out from the class at their stipulated time, reminding us time and again about any upcoming assignments due in case they were given. By three, I was free from all my lectures and I rushed back to the library, pulling out the volumes where I'd done my marking to get cracking upon them since the due date was preponed for next Tuesday. And somehow, maybe it was seeing Professor Finch and his dual avatars or just the shock of it all that actually got my brain working faster than I'd have thought it would, considering my state just hours before.

By eight in the evening, I'd already finished constructing 80% of the rough draft of the content to be used in the thesis paper, and I could not have been more thrilled! There was still a lot of formatting, organizing and structuring left to be done but atleast I was done with the major aspect which in itself felt like a miracle. But then again, after the last assignment, I had no margin of error left with this one. I'd missed dinner too because of the same, but I couldn't help it. This was on my top priority right now.

Finally deciding that I'd had too much done for the day, I packed away all of my things and took along two books from the library that I still required for my research paper and made my way towards my dorm. I'd barely left the library though when I bumped into someone.

And as ironic fate could have it, it was Professor Finch.

"Good- good evening, sir!" I stuttered and he shot me a broad smile.

"Sir? Uni time is over, Vaghela. You can call me Finch again," he joked as he thumped his hand upon my shoulder in a friendly manner. I flushed slightly. So he did remember my name afterall.

"Won't that be awkward?" I asked, thinking about how strict the teacher-student rapport would always usually be. Clearly there were a lot of exceptions happening over here already.

"You are such a strange man, Vaghela. Never mind, what are you up to now?" asked Professor Finch as he eyed my haversack curiously.

"Going back to my dorm to work on an assignment," I replied and he nodded his head with interest.

"Well, how's it going?" he asked, now looking intrigued. I wasn't sure whether the question was meant to be asked from a teacher's perspective or from a friend's one, but either way I gave him an honest answer.

"Completed 80% of the rough structure," I replied and his face lit up instantly.

"Brilliant! So you're coming to dinner with me then!" he suddenly exclaimed and I cocked my eyebrows at him in astonishment.

What was the matter with him anyway? Even Ishaani has never shown me this much enthusiasm as much as Professor Finch has! It's unnatural and makes me wonder what's so special about me that's caught his fancy.

"No excuses!" he exclaimed just as I was about to protest and I shut my mouth, not knowing what to say next. Finch gave me a jovial smile.

"Come on, give me a party atleast for the 2000 bucks you won!"

"You'll find the cheque in your jacket pocket," I replied quietly, eyeing him with dignity. I could never, ever have taken that cheque from him without killing my self-respect.

"Found it already, but it's not my problem that you didn't accept it. It was rightfully yours and you chose to refuse it," he replied indifferently and I shut my mouth, at a loss of what to reply to this infuriating statement. Professor Finch noticed the expression upon my face and smiled slyly.

"If you want to become something in life, remember that chivalry isn't going to take you anywhere. If you've won something fair and square, take it. The world isn't going to wait and stuff it into your palms," he told me, and I couldn't help but get swayed with the way he'd phrased it.

I guess he did have a good point. He didn't wait for a response but gave sufficient time for the statement to sink into my mind. And when I could think of nothing else to say, I went with the last option I had.

"Okay then, I'll give you a party. But I've only got a budget of $300," I replied grudgingly and Professor Finch smiled at me broadly once again.

"Splendid! We'll go to Mosbey's then. Take-out Chinese. It won't cost more than $30 for the whole meal inclusive of a soft drink," he whispered as though it was supposed to be some kind of an incentive. But all I could think was why would a rich guy like Finch eat road stuff? Apparently, Finch noticed the inquisitive look upon my face as well.

"What?" he asked and I shook my head vigorously.

I didn't want to sound stupid and blow this off. I really liked Professor Finch as a person. But he was smart enough, nonetheless. He caught on to what I was thinking anyway.

"You're wondering why I'd eat at a food truck when I go about handing heaps of money to people when I'm drunk?" he asked, and I flushed beetroot, I think.

No one has ever been able to read my thoughts this fast, maybe except Ishaani and that too after so many years. It'd been just two days meeting Professor Finch.

"How did you-" I began, and he shot me a shrewd smile.

"I'm a lawyer by profession, Vaghela. It's our job to read people in and out. And you aren't even as complicated as you make yourself out to be. Keep your haversack in the room and meet me directly over there," he said, before quickly making his way towards the gates even before I had a chance to protest.

And I would have so dearly had I not been that hungry either. So grudgingly, I made my way towards my room, deposited my bag and slipped on a jacket upon my T-shirt because the air had grown chilly. I didn't even give my roommates the time to ask me where I was headed out to, even though I knew that judging by their reactions, they must have probably found out about what had happened at the bar that night. Gossips were one thing that didn't spare any part of the world. 

Reaching the food truck that was nicknamed as the 'Life Saver' by more than half of the students, I saw Finch standing near the truck with two boxes already in his hand along with two bottles of beer as well. I walked towards him and accepted my box and the beer, looking at him uncertainly.

"Don't worry, its non-alcoholic. And I thought I'd better order since it's gotten too crowded now. Noodles with Manchurian Gravy and two Spring Rolls. I hope that's okay with you."

"It's... perfect. Thanks," was all that I could tell him, really.

It smelt so delicious that the aroma alone filled up half of my appetite. Both of us walked back towards the campus area where a couple of benches lay empty in the gardens. Occupying one of them, the two of us sat quietly for a few minutes before I remembered that I had to pay him for the dinner.

"Don't even think about touching your wallet," spat out Professor Finch angrily when my hand found the cavity of my lining to retrieve my wallet.

He looked pissed enough to argue with him any further and seeing him in the class this morning was enough to let me know that he could really get nasty when he wanted to. So I dropped it. I'll find another way of covering it up sometime or the other.

Finch gave me a satisfied look and dug into his box, and so did I. Thankfully, they gave forks and spoons over here instead of the traditional chopsticks. Those sticks I still can't navigate with. The two of us ate our dinner in silence for some time before Professor Finch spoke up again.

"So tell me, Vaghela. How'd you find this?" he asked, looking at me as though I was some kind of curio piece.

"Brilliant, really," was all I could reply since my mouth was stuffed with the spring roll. "Only had such kind of food if we got the leftovers from our masters from parties, although my master would get me some at times because he knew I loved Chinese," I let slip and he looked at me, confused.

"Master?" he asked and I gave him a small smile. This would decide what I was going to receive from this point forth - sympathy or scorn.

"Oh yeah, my parents were helpers. My father and I moved to Mumbai when I was nine and he worked as a driver at the household we worked at. My mother stayed back at the village but whenever she'd come over to Mumbai, she'd be a personal maid to my master's mother," I confessed, staring at Professor Finch's face greedily, hoping to see the first sign of either of the two feelings break upon his face. But neither did and nor was he blank faced.

If anything, he looked even more interested now. Professor Finch is hands down the weirdest guy I've met in Sydney so far.

"Humble beginnings," surmised Professor Finch and I gave him a small smile.

Somehow, he just didn't seem judgmental about anything in relation to my background at all the whole time. Except ofcourse, Baa with the whip. She, he deemed a psychopath.

"I'm pretty sure you must be regretting your decision for befriending me," I stated, wondering for a moment whether my longing for a friend was clogging my judgment on Professor Finch or whether I was just being too pessimistic to hope that someone would actually for once want to befriend me for who I truly was leaving aside my social status, apart from Ishaani. She was always an exception to everything.

"Regret? Why?" he asked me, looking surprised.

"Because you're rich and I'm poor," I stated, a little more bitterly than I wished to. Finch shot me a sly smile before he 'tcched' mockingly.

"Oh Vaghela, have you even known me?" he spoke in a sing-song tone and I frowned at him. What was he up to, I couldn't understand. But I kept forgetting that he's got the blood of a lawyer in him - he knows how to get his point forth.

"I don't-" I began, wondering what he was trying to say when his expression turned serious, and so did he.

"I have loads and loads of friends, Vaghela. But they love my money, not me. For the first time in my life two nights ago, I met a man who didn't give a rat's ass to what my background was or how much money I had. All you were bothered about was me and you even dropped me home in that drunken state just to make sure that I was okay even though you were much more drunk than I was. And you refused to take money in that state and even managed to slip that cheque back into the pocket."

"Yes, but-" I tried to speak, not knowing how best to put forth my point now that I felt so stupid and embarrassed with his outburst. Thankfully, he didn't even give me the chance to speak as well.

"I don't give a damn whether you're rich or poor, Vaghela. You're a keeper and I'm not letting go of you that quick," he exclaimed with finality before both of us fell silent again.

He tore apart his spring roll a little more forcefully than was required and stuffed a piece of it in his mouth, fuming. And I don't know why, but I suddenly found the whole situation incredibly funny, with Professor Finch resembling a tantrum-throwing child to me. And I think I did laugh out as well by mistake.

"What's so funny?" asked Professor Finch, who in his haste of asking me why I was laughing, swallowed the bite a little too quickly and choked upon it. I let him drink a little more beer to ease his track up before I finally answered.

"I thought that I was going to die a loner in this city, just like I thought I'd die in Mumbai," were my exact words, I think. Professor Finch gave me a baffled look, urging me to speak more. 

"Got proved wrong the second time," I added and I could suddenly see the same curiosity flicker in his eyes that did that night at the bar as well.

"Who saved you the first time?" he asked. I remained silent for some time, wondering whether or not was I to tell him everything about my life, and everything I was going through in this current moment. And trusting my instinct, I did.

"My master's daughter."

And I told him everything about my life in Mumbai. About my parents. About the Parekh family. About Mota Babuji. About Ishaani. About those eleven years with her. About my love her for. About my insecurities and fears with regards to everything that was happening to me. About my dreams and my ambitions. About what I was doing in Sydney. About what I had to achieve in life till I got to the end line - Ishaani. Everything.

And he sat through patiently, listening to everything I told him with the utmost of attention. He was a good audience, I'll admit. 'Oohed' and 'aahed' at the right places and gave the perfect reactions and cries out outrage whenever necessary. And somewhere along the line, it felt good letting someone know about all of this. The real picture. Uncensored. With my feelings and everything. By the end of it all, Finch simply stared at me with his mouth open.

"God, that's just... wow, I mean... Okay seriously, I've got to stop stuttering like this," he reprimanded himself as he slapped his palm upon his forehead and shook it vehemently like a puppy trying to rid itself of water from its ears.

I do realize that it was a lot of information to take. And I think he finally managed to get something out once the shock was absorbed.

"Is that old woman- Baa, right? Is she retarded or a psychopath? Who uses a goddamn whip on a kid in this generation!?" he yelled out aloud and this for some reason made me laugh a little more.

"Yes, she was rather extraordinary. I do miss her the most at times," I joked and Finch gave me a deadpan look.

"Not funny, man. And this scholarship... God, this is the chance of a lifetime for you!"

"I know," was all that I could say.

I could see it that he understood the pain it was taking me to see this through and the fact that he seemed touched and a tad bit proud about it (if I'm right to surmise) did feel a little... I don't know, reassuring. Maybe I had to see this from a third person's perspective too to know whether what I was doing made sense or no. It does make sense.

"So tell me now. Would you still want to remain friends with me?" I asked, giving him a sheepish smile. Professor Finch punched my shoulder playfully.

"Now more so than ever. Although I think I might drop you off at the art gallery sometime in one of the show pieces for the whole of Sydney to look at you. One of a kind, you truly are," he added and both of us chuckled a little as we drained the last bits of our beer.

"But enough about me. Tell me about yourself now," I stated and he suddenly looked shy.

"The opposite of how your life has been. Oldest son, born with a golden spoon in my mouth. My father runs the biggest law firm in Sydney, and well, I'm raking rich with a good social life. Popular, decent looking with decent brains I suppose, and happy," he added awkwardly, and I laughed.

Well, it was an irony truly. But then again, I was here to write my future, not cry upon my past.

"Why'd you take up teaching? I mean, aren't you a lawyer?" I asked, remembering how he'd told that he was a lawyer in the classroom this morning. Professor Finch smiled at me before he plunged into speech.

"Oh yes, very good question. I've never known what to do with my life, like is the case with most people who've only ever known luxury like I have. My father obviously wanted me to become a lawyer since it's a profession running in my family from six generations. I was very sharp as a child like that - smart, cunning, argumentative, resourceful. I managed to find loopholes in everything - a trait every lawyer must possess of seeing the unseen. And since I didn't have anything better, I decided to take to Law as a last resort."

"And?" I asked, and he continued.

"Well, I loved it! I have a natural aptitude towards the subject and I've been at the top of my class all four years at Oxford. But during that time, Monica happened," he exclaimed suddenly, and I could see the blush creep upon his face at the mention of her name, along with a dreamy look.

"Monica?" I asked once again and he blushed.

"Oh yes, the woman I love. I remember seeing her for the first time during a boring seminar on Psychology that my friend had dragged me for because we had nothing better to do. She was the one who was giving the introductory notes for the guest of honour. Red-haired, stunning and just... wow. And I swear, I think I fell in love with her at the first sight. And I just knew in that moment that she was the woman I wanted to marry! I know I sound so stupid, but that's true. I waited back after the seminar to go talk to her and well... I just messed up. Me, and messing it up! And you know what she did? She actually slapped me for trying to flirt!" he exclaimed and it was with great difficulty that I controlled my laughter.

"What happened then?" I asked, the image of a younger Professor Finch getting slapped by an unknown auburn-haired girl.

"Well, we had a mutual friend who studied in my batch and was a good friend of hers. So I managed to get her basic profile and details and I went over with a bouquet the next day to apologize to her. I was so afraid that she'd throw the bouquet on my face and she was almost going to do that too, but well, I was really sorry so she decided to give me another chance anyway. I asked her out for a cup of coffee, and then one thing led to another and before I knew it, we were the best of friends! By the end of my third year, I confessed to her," he said and I couldn't help but ponder upon one thing.

"It took you three years to confess to her?" I finally questioned, putting my thoughts into words. Professor Finch gave me a flabbergasted look.

"Hey! It's been eleven years and you haven't confessed yet!" he shot back and it was my turn to give the same reaction.

"I'm a recluse and an idiot bound with a lot of circumstantial issues. What's your excuse?" I retorted again, and he bit his lip.

"I was serious about her and I had to make sure that she was serious about me too. And then, we both had our careers on the line and I didn't want to sabotage that either. And well... You know better than all how difficult it is to confess, especially when that person becomes your best friend!" he confesses, looking harried. Well... I did understand his point of view.

"But how does this connect to you teaching?" I asked, and he gave me a sheepish smile.

"Well, its Monica who made me realize this. She'd always ask me to help her out with terminology whenever she had trouble understanding them. Our streams were different but I always had a way of simplifying them and it was during all those study sessions that I realized that I genuinely enjoyed teaching. And I told Monica about this and she agreed that if I liked teaching so much, maybe I should take that up for a couple of years before stepping into the world of law. So I did a correspondence side by side. Got a First Class. Missed the Distinction by 9 marks," he added ruefully and I smirked. So I was not the only one who cried upon marks then. People like Professor Finch did too.

"So do you want to pursue a career in Law then?" I question further after some time and he gave my question a good thought.

"Yes, I do. This is my second year teaching at any educational institution and well, there's a thrill about teaching I can't ignore. I may have not known what I want to do with my life but I was certain that I didn't want to spend the next fifty years of my life planning and plotting witnesses, manipulating juries and creating alibis with sheer cunning and resourcefulness. I wanted a little adventure in life before it all got mundane and serious and so I found it in teaching," he explained.

"So... er, basically, you're saying that you took up teaching because you wanted an adventure?" I asked, framing all the facts in order to come to a proper conclusion. This was really amusing for some odd reason, what Professor Finch was doing with his life.

"You can judge me all you want, Vaghela," he said, giving me a sly look. And in that moment, I don't know why but I was kind of awestruck. This was a kind of life I could not imagine myself ever having in even across a hundred timelines!

"I'm not. Wow, you just keep getting better and better," I commended, and Finch gave me a suspicious look now.

"Not sure whether that's meant to be a compliment, but alright," he said cheerfully, shrugging his shoulders alongside. I rested my back upon the bench tiredly and shot my next query towards him.

"Why didn't you take up a job in London?" 

"I did," accepted Professor Finch and I sat up alert again. "And I even got my acceptance letter from Magdalene as well. Monica was thrilled because that meant that we'd get more time to spend together as well till I could ask for her hand in marriage. But well, my mother bombed my plans. She suffered from a major stroke that was nearly fatal and Dad called me back at once immediately. Nobody back home knew about Monica and since I was the eldest of the lot, I had to come back. Dad told me that he'd get me a teaching post in UoS if I was this passionate about teaching and well... I had no say. I had to come back," he ended resentfully.

"And what about Monica?" I wondered aloud, and this time he was swift to answer.

"Well, we've been having a long distance relationship since a year now. It's difficult and much of our time goes into fighting and making up rather than anything fruitful, but we're both serious about each other. We aren't willing to let go. Maybe next year, I might as well start out by interning with a law firm to complete my LPC and then my LLM if I want to talk to Monica's dad about this," he said seriously and I sighed. Life and its unfair means.

"How is your mother now?" I asked and he sighed tiredly.

"She's okay. Recovering slowly, but the doctor says that if she takes care of herself, she'll make a full recovery by next year," he replied and I questioned further.

"Does anyone know about your relationship?"

"No. I'm planning on telling them next year, maybe," he responded and I couldn't keep my curiosity at bay. I guess staying with Ishaani after all these years has made me become nosy as well. I'm really surprised that Professor Finch was sporting, but then again, if I could tell him everything about myself, I guess it was fair enough too.

"Why're you waiting for next year?" I inquired, and Finch shot me a fiery look.

"For Monica to complete her masters. I'm not going to let anything come in between her career, even if that means staying away from her," he added strongly, and I could see the same passion flare in his eyes that I'd feel at the thought for Ishaani. Love indeed taught us new ways of dying in it every day.

"Wow... she's a really lucky girl," was all that I could say because there was nothing else to be said. Everything was silently understood between the two of when it came to our stories and our love interests.

"And so is your girl. I hope you do manage to accomplish what you've set out to do. Like I said, it's pretty rare, what you have for her," added Professor Finch and I couldn't help but blush.

Assurance was all that I badly needed about what I was doing and somehow what Professor Finch seemed to tell me had an oddly reassuring effect upon me when it came to Ishaani. I'm glad that I do have someone to talk to now.

"Thanks for the dinner. It was fun," I said as I stood up and stretched my arms that left heavy after the inactivity. Professor Finch stood up too and yawned softly.

"Good. Off you go now, Vaghela. We'll catch up tomorrow then," he said and we both shook hands. 

I made my way back to my room where my roommates had already fallen asleep. But I knew that I couldn't, because I still had work to be done. Professor Finch may have said that what I felt for Ishaani was rare, but my job doesn't end over here. It only means that I'd have to give it my 110% if I have to become something in life before going back to her and asking for her hand in marriage. The journey has just begun, and there's a long, long way to go yet.

But for now, I'll have to let the man with the dual avatar inspire me with just words. 

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Constructive criticism will be more than welcome and sorry for any typos. :D :D

Next chapter:
Epistle 86

LadyMeringue2016-12-04 05:02:27