Professor Ali looks to be in his fifties, sporting a well-groomed, medium-length beard. He is taller than David and has a robust build—the kind of physique that suggests he might have moved a lot of bricks in his youth before becoming an academic.
David stands at their table, but his eyes drift. He is looking at the daughter, and for a few seconds, he physically cannot look away.
"Kid, I didn't call you over here just to stare at my daughter."
The Professor's voice snaps David back to reality. It is an awkward moment, but David decides to play it bold.
"Professor, your daughter is really very beautiful," David admits openly, then turns his gaze directly to the girl. "What are you doing? I mean, what are you studying?"
She clearly wasn't expecting her father's new acquaintance to be this direct. She looks momentarily at a loss for words.
"Mufeeda, he is asking you a question," the Professor prompts her. Even though he is a strict believer, he clearly doesn't believe that girls should be voiceless.
"Yes, Dad," she recovers quickly. "I am studying Chemical Engineering at Hyderabad University. What about you?"
David tries his best not to diverge from his mission, but beauty is always a cause of distraction.
"I completed my graduation in Agriculture," David replies. "Chemical Engineering is an excellent course with many opportunities. In my opinion, nations rely on their chemical patents to dominate industries."
Buzz.
NEAA vibrates slightly against his wrist, a subtle reminder to stay on topic. Right, the mission.
David pivots smoothly. "Similarly, meteorology and environmental science also need innovation. Don't you think so, Professor?"
"Yes, yes," the Professor nods, engaging with the topic. "Pollution in India is increasing, and government measures are not enough to cope with the population boom. As I wrote in my article, in the coming years, the frequency of natural calamities will increase manifold. So, tell me, David, what did you want to ask me?"
"Sir, I am a serious Civil Service aspirant. But every time I read news of a natural calamity, I find myself thinking of ways to mitigate it. I have actually designed a method for landslide reduction. My father is a farmer in Kerala, so I know the damage these disasters cause to agriculture. That's why I want to do something to at least reduce the effects."
"Sit down, David."
The Professor is touched. He is now almost certain this boy is here for knowledge, not just to chase his daughter.
"Let me introduce you properly. This is my wife; as you know, she is also a Professor. You can call her Madam or Aunty. And this is my son, Wajad. He is also studying at the University."
David doesn't want this conversation to drag on too long; his goal was just to establish a connection to get the email address later. He looks at the son to shift the focus.
"Hi, nice to meet you."
"I'm Wajad," the young man replies curtly. He seems uninterested in attention, despite being incredibly handsome.
"Professor," David smiles, "you have very good family genes. Both your son and daughter are good-looking, just like their father and mother."
"He is a smooth talker. Just like you," the Professor's wife says, nudging her husband playfully. Then she turns to David with a warm smile. "You should invite him to our house sometime, dear."
"Of course," the Professor agrees enthusiastically. "David, you must come to our house. You should bring your ideas and designs with you."
This is exactly what David wanted. But now that the offer is on the table, he needs to strike while the iron is hot without seeming desperate.
"Yes, I will surely come. I have so many things to discuss. I have the Professor's number, so I will definitely call before I visit." David slowly stands up. "Have you finished ordering?"
"Yes, we have. David, why don't you sit and eat with us?"
"No, Professor. My food is already served at my table, and my friends are waiting."
"Okay then."
"Don't forget—you must come to our home," the Professor's wife adds. It sounds more like an order than a request.
As soon as David turns his back, he slips his earphone into his ear. With the help of the watch, he can hear voices from meters away. He listens in on the family's conversation as he walks away.
"Youngsters these days are usually afraid of you," the wife is complaining to the Professor.
"How can that be? I have such a beautiful wife. If everyone was afraid of me, how did you become my wife?"
David stops listening. He has never had a girlfriend, and listening to this affectionate banter is not good for his heart. But involuntarily, he glances back over his shoulder.
At that exact moment, Mufeeda looks up. Their eyes meet.
Don't think too much, David tells himself, forcing his legs to move. She is too beautiful; I'm just hallucinating interest. Even if she is looking at me, I have to focus on the mission.
Beauties are always a cause of destruction.
He sits down, and immediately, there is a barrage of questions from Varun and Ajith.
"Did you talk to her? How old is she? Does she have a boyfriend?"
"When are you getting married?"
That last question comes from behind them.
David, Varun, and Ajith freeze. They turn to see Wajad standing there.
Sweat pours down the necks of the three friends. Even though they are older, Wajad's striking looks make them feel instantly inferior.
"David... is this her brother? Will he misunderstand?" Varun whispers in a terrified low voice.
David, however, knows how to handle people. He recovers instantly.
"Hey Wajad! Come, sit, sit. Did the Professor ask you to tell me something?" He laughs, waving a hand at his friends. "Don't mind these two. All they think about is how to find a girlfriend."
"Dad asked for your contact number so that he won't accidentally reject your call when you ring him," Wajad says calmly. He is unexpectedly introverted for someone with such a commanding presence.
David gives him the number, and Wajad leaves them without another word.
"So, now tell us everything," Varun demands, not letting the matter drop.
"Ha, ha. It's simple," David explains, leaning in. "Yesterday, I saw an article in the newspaper written by that Professor. So, I told him the article was good but the movie was bad, and I suggested a better movie. Then I thought having a famous professor's contact number would be useful, so I asked for it. That is how it happened. I honestly didn't know he had such a beautiful daughter. That was a pure coincidence."
"If she was from my caste, I would surely make her my girlfriend," Ajith sighs dreamily.
"No," Varun shakes his head. "Without knowing her character, even if she is a goddess, I wouldn't make her my girlfriend."
"Okay, stop it," David cuts them off. "I am not trying to make her my girlfriend. It was really just a coincidence. Let's finish eating and go back to the room. Tomorrow we have to pack our things."
The day after tomorrow, David and Ajith are finally going home after a very long stay in Hyderabad.