Chapter 7:
The Professor
Andy was sitting in the office of Dr. Puri. The office was part of his house and lab. Andy looked around to see his assistant busily writing a report. Andy smiled at him with no response. He once again rehearsed in his mind the words to be spoken to the professor.
The previous day as Rani suggested Andy called Dr. Puri. Initially he could not recollect the guide. As Andy described how he got an antique for a cheaper prize, he remembered. Andy asked for an appointment to discuss about a situation which needs scientific help. The professor was curious and puzzled. He said he was available the next day. So, Andy had taken a bus to Jodhpur in the early hours, reached Jodhpur by 11, now he was there patiently waiting for the Professor to come.
The assistant looked furious. He was muttering something under his breath. He looked tensed too! Andy wanted to chat with him. With a furious glare he put it off. But suddenly he cried in a soft voice cursing the professor.
"You Ok bro?" asked Andy.
"Do I look ok? I am stuck! I am stuck forever. This man is not going to accept my thesis. I am going to be his assistant for the rest of my life." He buried his head and leaned on the desk.
Andy felt bad for him. He stood up and went near the fellow.
"Can I help? May be fresh air can help you. Come with me and have a cup of coffee!" said Andy in a friendly voice.
The assistant looked at him and nodded his head.
"Thanks buddy! I need this! Yes! Let's go! The coffee and the snacks on me."
Both stepped out. The Sun was furiously blazing. The professor's house was in the elite part of the city. The roads were broad and clean. At the corner there was a coffee shop. Both entered and sat down.
"I am Pratik! Pratik Pareek. Research assistant to Dr. Puri the terror." Introducing himself to Andy. Andy in turn introduced himself.
"A guide? A guide you say. What brings you to the professor? You want a job in the university? Then this is the wrong place bro! This man will not help anyone." Said Pratik.
Andy was not prepared to tell him about the Senlings. He simply nodded. Pratik was more interested in describing his woe.
"You know Andy? I have been working for 6 years. I have done all research, collected hell number of data, analyzed them. But will he accept my thesis? NO! Why? He is afraid he might lose his best assistant. If I am not there, who will remind him about his appointment? Who will remind him about his meetings? Who will fix appointment with dentist?"
It looked like as if Pratik could go on forever.
"For these trivial reasons he is not accepting your thesis?" asked Andy. He had no idea what a thesis was. But it seemed very important to Pratik. So, he gave a shot.
"Yes! You get that too, right? For God's sake can't he get a secretary? Why me? Why spoils my future?" said Pratik in a disgusted tone.
"So, you have plans about your future?"
"I have! I have this plan for the past 6 years. A doctorate from Jodhpur University and post-doctoral in the USA. I have been communicating with one of the best universities there. They are willing to accept me. But this man? No! Will not accept my thesis." Said Pratik.
He was going on and on about how he had worked hard for the professor. How he was illtreating. How his girlfriend Anu Iyer broke up with him because of this man. Andy felt very sorry for Pratik. But he was also worried about the professor. It was getting late. If the professor came to office and found Andy missing, might not be a desirable situation.
"Ahem! Pratik! Do you mind If we leave?" asked Andy.
"I am sorry Bro! You go! Will take a few minutes for me! Please don't repeat what I said to you!" said Pratik. Nodding his head Andy rushed to the office. Fortunately, the professor was not there yet! He sat on the chair and exhaled deeply. The professor opened the door and entered.
"Yes! Andy! I remember you now! You are the one who brought a fossil for a dead cheap prize. Yes, what can I do for you?" asked the professor in a pompous voice.
"Ahem! Doctor! I am in a delicate situation, only you can help me out! I…."
He was interrupted by the Professor.
"The same story! I have been hearing this lately. I do not have any job to offer you or give away money in charity! Don't waste my time."
Andy got really irritated and offended. Why would he think I had come for begging?
"No! Professor! I have not come for job or money! Please hear me out!"
The professor was taken aback by his words. It clearly looked he was not used to back talking.
"So, no job! No money? Eh?" asked in a skeptical tone.
Andy simply nodded his head and proceeded to explain the purpose of his visit. As he was narrating, the professor's interest was roused. He started listening with utmost attention. When Andy told him about the fuel, he clapped his hands. Andy finished his story. The professor did not say anything for a minute or two. He kept on thinking. His fingers were drumming on the desk.
"Um…...So you say, you have interacted with aliens, and they need your help to go back?" asked he.
Andy was exasperated.
"You want me to make the fuel for them? Right?"
Again, head nod.
"Um...let me think! Either you are telling the truth, or you have some mental problem. Do you have any proof of these aliens? asked the professor. Andy realized he had none. They have not thought of that at all. Now what would he tell the professor to make him believe? Andy simply sat there. He could not come with a word.
"You don't have proof? Right?" asked the professor.
"Well…. actually…...no…but…."
The professor sat there thinking deeply.
"Sir! Why don't you visit Khuldhara? You are not to lose anything by that! I can show them, and you can talk to them. If you think it's a hoax, you can report me to the police." Said Andy earnestly.
The professor got up from his chair walked across his office like a caged lion, suddenly he patted the back of Andy, he jumped.
"Well! I think you are telling the truth! I will send my assistant with you. After his report I will start preparing the fuel. You got me?"
Andy felt happy. The professor made him say everything again and listened. He asked questions in between. He was checking whether Andy told the exact things he said previously. When the professor was satisfied, he called his assistant.
"Listen Pratik! I have a job for you! Go with this man and meet some persons, he shows. Be prepared to be surprised. You will come back tomorrow and give me a detailed report." Said the professor. It was as if he was commanding.
The assistant was puzzled. Whom he had to meet? Write a report about what? He looked at Andy. Andy wanted to assure but was not sure the professor might like it. He gave a slight nod. The assistant understood.
"Do we have Sulphur di oxide? Or it needed to be ordered? Asked the professor.
Pratik hesitated for a second.
"What? Your tongue got stuck?" asked the irritated professor. Andy pitied Pratik.
"How much will you be needing professor?" asked Pratik humbly.
"May be for a tank full!"
Again, Pratik blinked. "Sir we have very little left! I will order now!" said Pratik. With a hand gesture the professor made Pratik go out of the room.
"Useless fellow!" muttered between his teeth.
Suddenly Andy remembered something.
"Sir! I have not told the very important thing!"
The professor threw his hand in exasperation.
"Sir…ahem…...Xezo…. ahem the Senlings wanted their presence to be kept away from others. Especially ISRO. So please I am asking you to swear to secrecy." Andy said.
Dr. Puri gave him a haughty look. As if to say, who are you? But Andy was not taking a no! It was the life of his friends.
"Sir! I insist! You must not tell anyone! Please promise me!" Said Andy. He was now really worried about the safety of Senlings!
The Doctor thought for a while.
"Ok! But what do I gain?" asked Dr. Puri.
Andy was not prepared for this. Dr. Puri a renowned professor, a wealthy man, why would he expect something in return? What did he want?
"Er…sir! Gain? I do not understand"
"Something has to be there to motivate me, right?" said Dr Puri in a calm voice.
"Maybe they could give you a memento! Once they are out of Earth, you can tell ISRO or even NASA about them. That way you will become famous and rich." Said Andy.
The words famous and rich made an effect on Professor Puri. He put out his hands to Andy and shook it.
"Now! We are partners in this project. I call it Project Full moon. My assistant will leave with you today. Once he comes up with the report, I need only 2 days' time. I can prepare the fuel. I will carry it and see those Senlings off! Happy?" asked the Dr. Puri.
With a happy heart Andy shook his hands.