1 Grandmother leaving

"Are you here for post-graduation?" One of the professors asked.

"Or graduation instead?"

"Are you here to play or something?" Another one asked seriously.

"What is going on?" One couldn't even understand what was going on even.

One by one questions started raising. Shubh looked at Pearl's impatient look. When he noticed her foot movement he saw her foot almost running away towards the classroom gate.

He almost laughed out loud at her reactions and at her uncomfortable look. Awkwardly coughing once he answered on her behalf.

"She is here for a doctorate and Ph.D. at the same time. She isn't here to play. She completed all those graduation degrees before the time."

"That's impossible." One of them retorted immediately.

"Why do you say that?" Shubh coldly asked.

His student proved herself a number of times. He has all the details of her achievements. Certificates, degrees, top results, every credential. She lacks no one. In fact, among all his students, she is the best. How can anyone even judge her?

The teachers around them instantly saw Shubh's possessiveness towards Pearl. Smiling gingerly at him, one of the female teachers carefully said. "She is just twenty-one, Mr. Wright. How can she complete her studies this fast?"

"She is the talent I accepted as my last student. You doubt my decisions?"

"No sir. We don't dare to. But she is too young to do research with you, Mr. Wright. All your students are very experienced, but she… not just young, but also has very little experience in your field compared to any of your students."

Shubh scoffed. Patting Pearl's head proudly, he confidently said. "I can bet on her with any of your ex-student or recent one... What do you say?"

"But..." None of the teachers could retort or come back to that.

When no one said anything for a while, Pearl took the liberty and said. "I'll take my leave first."

Shubh nodded his head in affirmation. "Sure."

Waiting for no one's approval in the room, Pearl went outside the class.

***

While going out of the block her phone rang, Rishi called her. "All done?" He asked.

"Hmm."

"Want me to pick you up?"

"... Everything is done."

Rishi could hear her unsaid words and her annoyance. However, he still wanted to ask again. "Can I pick you up, ma'am?"

"Are you too free to hang around me all the time?"

"Ma'am..."

"Ask someone to shift my desk to the CEO's room. Do not let anyone touch anything in that room except my stuff."

"Yes, ma'am I know. Your desk will be at the corner of the room. No one will touch Mr. Mallaya's stuff."

"Good then." With that she hung up the call.

She was going outside the campus when a voice called her and made her interrupt in her sentence.. "Miss Mallaya?"

Pearl instinctively turned back. In abroad many people only know about her either because of her achievement or because of her grandfather.

In the company, most of them do not call her Miss Sen or Miss Pearl, but Miss Mallaya. And that's why more than Mr. Sen, she preferred Miss. Mallaya.

When Pearl turned around to look out for the person, she couldn't find anyone whom she could recognize. She was about to turn away when a silhouette walked towards her with a polite smile.

"We met again." Yash spoke. He was thrilled to see her. The coincidence of meeting her again this soon, was really a fate.

Pearl's eyes narrowed with little doubt before remembering who that person was. The moment she remembered, her movements became restless and annoyed.

With a little bow, she greeted him. "Hello."

"Hi. It's so strange that we met again. Do you live in a hostel here?"

"..." Pearl said nothing in reply.

Yash didn't mind her ignorance and asked another question right away. "Why are you here? For enrollment?"

Pearl nodded her head in affirmation. "Hmm."

"You must be doing your graduation. In which course?" He asked again.

"..." Pearl felt impatient. Fortunately, her phone rang on time. Looking down at her phone screen she saw Emmett's number on it. Giving a faint smile to Yash she politely excused herself. "... I'll take my leave first."

Yash was about to say something to stop her, but Pearl swiftly turned her back to him. However, as she turned, another woman was standing behind her stopping her from going away.

"What is she doing here?" Sia asked.

Yash's eyes wavered with a conscience. Walking beside Sia he explained. "Just met with coincidence."

"Coincidence, three times in just a few days? That doesn't look like a coincidence but more like a planned meeting." Sia said sarcastically.

Yash was stunned by Sia's comment. He looked at Sia with bewilderment. How can someone talk to strangers that way?

Sia is a gentlewoman but also a possessive one. He understands that. Being in relationships always brings jealousy. However, there must be a time and to some extent, that must be taken into consideration before talking.

"Sia!"

"What?" She rolled her eyes with a scornful look. Hugging Yash's arm she shrugged her shoulders and said. "I am just kidding, Yash."

Yash turned towards Pearl to apologise, but she had already gone. It felt strange to see her going away this way. He wanted to explain but she left his side.

***

A few days later the funeral ceremony ended. Getting everything cleaned. That day Pearl took a break from the company stuff and rested. That day Emmett stayed back at Mallaya mansion.

Next day.

"Safe journey." Pearl said to her Grandmother, Saba.

Yesterday after completing all ceremonies, her grandmother wanted to leave, but as it was too late, Pearl didn't agree to it. Her grandmother had no say in that. Accepting all arrangements she decided to go the next day.

"Take care of everything." Saba said to Pearl.

"Hmm."

Emmett helped Mrs. Mallaya to take her seat in the car and said. "Ma'am happy journey."

Grandmother looked last time at Pearl. She was looking back to her too, but her eyes were blank.

Her fist tightened. Turning to Emmett, who was helping her with her foot placement, Grandmother said. "Emmett.... Take... care of... "

She took a few more deep breaths but said nothing more. Looking at Pearl standing away from her car she loudly said in a formal manner. "I am leaving."

"Hmm." Pearl hummed again.

Emmett faintly smiled at Mrs. Mallya. He can sense the discomfort but also her concern for Pearl at the same time. It was pretty cute how she behaved this way.

Covering her leg with a blanket Emmett whispered close to grandmother's ear. "Don't worry ma'am, I'll take care of her. For you and for Mr. Mallaya ''

Mrs. Mallaya's face instantly had an assuring calmness. Patting his head Mrs. Mallaya nodded and closed her eyes for the journey.