Hello, Mr. Major General (1)

Chapter 106 - Leaving In A Hurry

Shehnaaz’s undergraduate thesis was fine tuned by Kartik, and she was highly skilled to boot. Thus the defense was a walk in the park and the defense committee unanimously approved and also declared her to be the best thesis in the graduating class.

Shehnaaz was not surprised by the results. To her, the defense wasn’t the challenge– rather, she had to concentrate her efforts to prepare for Kartik’s exam. This exam would determine if she would be one of the two students interning at the United States Congress. Shehnaaz began to regret not accepting his offer straight away, and now she had no choice but to study for a grueling exam. However once she finished all the readings on American law and the structure of the US Congress assigned by Kartik, she understood his intentions and agreed it was beneficial to sit through the exam. At least it would force her to quickly familiarize herself with the basics of the American law system and the constitution of law through the US Congress.

On June 15th, she only had time to gobble down her breakfast. She had came out of her thesis defense in the
conference room of the Law Building in the morning, and attended Kartik’s exam in the afternoon. Kartik’s exam format was very unique. It was not a typical paper exam, but was a live question and answer session that simulated the US Congress. He would integrate various types of knowledge questions to observe their grasp and
coping ability.

Kartik was hosting the exam from the States. All the students, with the exception of Shehnaaz, were located in B City. Hence this exam was conducted through a online video conference. Shehnaaz opened her laptop and connected to the exam address. Kartik’s handsome face appeared on the monitor. A pair of sultry eyes gazed at her through the screen, and they seemed eeriely capable of reading minds. Shehnaaz sighed internally, someone with such eyes should be a judge, rather than a lawyer. With just one glance, even the criminals with the tightest lips would
immediately blurt out a confession?

“…Before we begin the exam, I’ll take attendance first.” Kartik’s cold voice traveled from the headset and Shehnaaz hastily straightened in her seat. When her name was called, she answered crisply, “Here.”

Kartik was sitting alone in his large office. He clicked on the cursor lightly to enlarge Shehnaaz’s window, and the other 37 examinees shrunk into little black dots on the monitor…

“Today’s exam questions: Number 1, how does the US Congress introduce bills? –Enter your answer in the window, no need to speak. You have one minute.”

The short time limit ensured the students couldn’t look up the information. Shehnaaz easily answered all the knowledge questions and proceeded to the debate portion.
This also wasn’t difficult for her, as she was articulate to begin with and excelled at the ripping at deficiencies in other people’s arguments. She was unperturbed, even in face of doctorate students several years her senior. She attacked from all angles and sparkled with wit. Although her arguments left no room for rebuttal and were laced with sharp remarks, she spoke at an even pace and her voice was sweet. Even her opponents couldn’t resent her. Before they knew it, she was able to control the rhythm of the debate.

Kartik’s smile grew as the joy bloomed from his heart and melted into his shimmering eyes. Three hours quickly
passed, and the arduous exam was finally over. The examinees all collapsed in their seats, exhausted.
He Zhichu cooly remarked, “So exhausted by just that? Once the Congress is in session, it normally takes seven to eight days of this level of work to pass a bill.”

Everyone immediately straightened, afraid to relax. After the exam, it was time to await for results.

All the examinees already knew that one of the two positions would be given to Shehnaaz, the post-grade
student. Her performance was brilliant and the doctorate students accepted their defeat. As to who the other student would pass, that wasn’t Shehnaaz’s concern.

The truth was, Kartik had texted Shehnaaz within 10 minutes after the exam, “Congratulations, get ready to go to the States.”

Shehnaaz almost jumped out of her seat in joy. She didn’t even remember to disable the webcam before pumping her fists and screaming as she ran around the dorm. Because she was having a video conference exam, her roommates had all went out to give her privacy and hadn’t returned yet.
Gu Nianzhi was the only one there, and she totally lost all composure.

Kartik watched her happiness from the other side of the world, his hands propping up his chin as he rested his
elbows on the desk. He smiled faintly.
He closed all the windows of all the students, save for Shehnaaz and when she finally calmed down, he languidly
said, “Sana, your… webcam’s still on.”

Shehnaaz’s jaw dropped when she heard Kartik’s voice from the laptop speakers. She shuffled to the desk to see his handsome face in the monitor, his eyes full of amusement.

She closed her eyes and reached out to close the laptop with a bang.

Soon after, her ringtone sounded. Shehnaaz looked over and saw it was an overseas number.

She unlocked her phone, “Hi?”

“Sana, why did the connection fail just now?” It was Kartik’s cool voice.

Shehnaaz, “…” He was doing this on purpose?!

“Why aren’t you saying anything?” Kartik asked, “Did you get a visa? When can you come here?”

Shehnaaz sighed in relief, she had been so embarrassed earlier.

Thankfully Kartik was tactful and knew when to stop teasing her.

“My passport is renewed and I can only apply for the visa once I get proof from you.” Shehnaaz answered honestly, “If it’s just a travel visa, I won’t be able to intern at the Congress.”

Kartik nodded, “You don’t have to worry, I’ll be sending the documents for your visa right away. Apply for a F1 student visa and when you come, I’ll apply for OPT for you. Then you’ll be able to intern.”

“Thank you, Professor Sen.” Shehnaaz answered cordially, before hanging up the phone.

Today, aside from a minor mishap in front of Kartik, was very satisfying for Shehnaaz. The debate was over and she had passed Kartik’s test, so theoretically she was already his student. To her, her undergrad life had finally come to a close today. The passport was ready, next was to go to the US Embassy to schedule a visa application. Kartik’s documents quickly arrived and by the weekend,
Shehnaaz had received her American F1 student visa. Kartik kept asking for updates. As soon as he knew she had
the visa, he asked Rashmi to book tickets for her and another doctorate student. They would fly out June 20th for the States. Because they had a F1 student visa and Kartik was the recommending professor, they had to earn a certain number of credits to satisfy the visa requirements.

Rohit didn’t think it would happen so quickly. After he notified Sidharth, he packed his luggage to go to the States with Shehnaaz.

…

At the C City International Airport, Parth held Shehnaaz’s hand longingly, “You’ll come back, right?”

“Of course. I’m just going for six months. I’ll be going to B University next spring.” Shehnaaz smiled as she consoled him, “Don’t overthink it. It’s so easy to talk nowadays, remember to keep in touch.”

Parth nodded and walked Shehnaaz to security. Rohit didn’t stop him and followed from an even distance to conceal his identity. Parth only left unwillingly when he saw Shehnaaz’s back disappear past security.

However as soon as he left he terminal, he saw the person who had haunted his dreams walk out slowly towards him from the exit, luggage in tow. Parth froze. He didn’t recover his senses until after a long pause. The woman pushing the luggage stopped in front of him and exclaimed in surprise, “Parth? Why are you here?! I’m so glad to see you right after landing!”

It was his first love, Mahira Sharma.

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I hope you enjoy reading it.
Love you all.