Things we do---3

"Hello beautiful" some one said right behind her and Viji almost jumped out of her skin. She turned around to see a tall man with red hair and big smile.
"Excuse me" Viji said hesistantly "are you talking to me??"
"Ofcourse i am..i dont go around calling dude's beautiful" he said and on second glance she realized that the guy was probably not much older than her, just plain rude.
"I am Dan and i am your student advisor" he said when Viji continued to stare at him "i am here to help you get familarized with the department"
"i am sorry..but i was not told about it" Viji finally managed to break her stupor, for never in her life has she been addressed like this, not even by the rogues who harass girls in madras.
"well..duh that is why i am here to introduce myself" Dan said with a bright smile, his blue eyes were twinkling with mischief.
"oh...ok" Viji said quietly, she had landed in US two days back and since then it has been one confusion after another and with each passing moment she felt herself becoming very home sick. She just stood silently waiting for Dan to say something, something must have shown in her face for his smile faltered.
"well....how do you pronounce your name???" he asked
"Vijayalakshmi" she responded.
"Vijaayelesmi.." he returned and inspite of herself Viji smiled.
"No..well all my friends call me Viji" she said
"well that is much easier " Dan said and then spreading him arm about he said expansively "this is the place you are going to be enslaved if you are lucky for only five years..and you if you are a smart fella like me..an even ten" he laughed at his own joke and Viji smiled hesitantly at that.

"five years..i cant do it" she thought and all the tears she had been trying to control suddenly spilled out.
"huh...are you ok" Dan asked looking at her all mirth lost.
"yeah ..i am fine" She said and then sobbed. She missed home and her dad and in this strange new place there was no one to comfort and no place that she could feel safe in.
"ahem..i am sorry, gosh did not mean to make you cry" Dan said " me and my jokes, my ma always said that i have my dad's weird sense of humour but i never have made any one cry this much"
"its not you.." Viji managed "it is just so difficult"
"well it is a difficult transisition" Dan agreed "well i can show you around the department later, how about a cup of joe"
"huh???" Viji asked wiping her tears
"coffee i mean" Dan corrected.
"okie" Viji agreed, suddenly this cooky american did not seem all that bad or rude to her. "well he was the first one to ask me if i was ok " she thought and it made her feel cold.
"i promise you..the coffee will definitely perk you up.." Dan said with a smile as he led her out of the department "now beautiful tell me a bit about yourself..so i could guide you better.."

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The cuckoo clock chimed in the midnight hour breaking Viji out of her reverie, a small smile still curved her lips as she thought about how long she had talked to Dan that day, but she returned home light hearted and more importantly hopeful. Dan always made her feel that way, he made her laugh and hopeful.
She looked at the cordless once again and no call from Sekar yet..."i wish you would call me" she whispered, willing the phone to ring but it did not.

Continued...