"Get out of the office. Knock. And wait till I ask you to come in," it was very difficult to neglect the authority in Mr. Yadav's voice.
He has been teaching physics for 14 years in Harods College of Science and Technology now; a gold medalist in his yesteryears and a force to reckon when it comes to the knowledge about his subject. Even in his thirties, he carried himself with the agility of a strongly built youngster, indicating the hours he spent in the gym and his greying sideburns only added to his authoritative persona like an old wine getting better with age.
A bit taken aback, Srishti walked out of the office and knocked the door and waited patiently for Professor to respond. A couple of minutes had passed before he responded with a calm but definite, "Come in."
She walked in quietly and stood in front of his large, oval shaped, oak desk which was covered with neatly arranged papers and files. She had newly enrolled herself into the college for her PhD and it was very much imperative to meet Professor Yadav to get an idea about how to go about and make it good, if not excel, and the college Dean had made it a customery habit to ask the newcomers to see Physics Professor before choosing their optionals.
She looked around at the brightly lit office. It was circular in shape with an array of books arranged on the right and behind Professor's seat. A fireplace with a small fire shimmered on his left. Her eyes trailed to the wooden work which adorned the room, as she craned her neck to observe the glass chandelier hanging from the ceiling.
"Isn't it beautiful?" He looked up for the first time since her arrival.
"Yes it is, Professer," she was barely audible.
He placed the pencil between the pages of his book and closed it, putting his hands on the desk.
"What is your name?"
"Srishti."
"Srishti what?"
"Srishti Kulkarni."
He pushed his chair back, standing and walked to the book rack on his right.
"And what brings you here Srishti Kulkarni?" he rummaged through the array of thick, brown covered
books before pausing on one and tilting it out.
"Dean asked me to come and see you, Professor,"
"Ohh a new student, are you?" he showed the first signs of interest, placing the book on his desk and looking up at Srishti.
His eyes were slightly brown, and his gaze deep and inquisitive.
"Yes Professor," she replied with a small smile and a sweet dimple formed on her right cheek.
He observed her for a moment. She was a pretty, young woman with slightly curled hair which she had braided into a casual pony.
"Have a seat," he pointed to the wooden chair and sat back.
"Do you like Physics? "
"I'm not sure professor," she shrugged, "I like it and don't like it at the same time." she replied with a small chuckle.
He did not smile.
"I see," he took his glasses off, "Stand up and fetch that box for me,"
"Sir?"
"Stand up and fetch that box for me," he repeated, pointing to a small desk kept by the fireplace.
She got up, a bit confused, and walked to the desk. It had three thick books piled up and a small wooden box at the top. She took the box placed at the top and walked back to him, but not before catching a glimpse of the dark cover of the book. It had a girl, with her hands cuffed in metallic cuffs and sitting on floor by a chair. A man sat snugly on the chair with his hand holding a leash. Her mind was boggled for a moment as her instincts urged her to take a second look, to make sure that she was not imagining things.
She felt her throat going dry for a moment as she recollected her modest demure and walked back, placing the box on his desk, "Sir," she mumbled, settling back in the chair.
"Did I ask you to sit?"
"No Sir," she immediately stood up, looking a bit embarrassed.
The sun outside the window had turned orange, throwing its last rays.
"Physics is the reason we all are enjoying our comfortable, luxurious lives with impeccable technology at our disposal," he had a nice hoarse voice with a tincture of domination, "and everything you have around, has to directly or indirectly acknowledge the contribution of physics for its existence." He opened the box and took out a pyramid shaped glass and placed it articulately on his desk against the sun rays. A rich spectrum of colors had erupted from the opposite side. His lips spread into a smile for the first time. He had a serious face with slightly hollow cheeks, a strong jaw and neatly trimmed facial hair.
"You see what happens?"
"Yes, Professor," she smiled back.
"Good. Take physics as your optional and I promise you that I will make you fall in love," he took his gaze away from the prism and looked into her eyes, "with Physics of course."