***
When they reached the university, Lucky offered to help Raj to complete all of his immigration procedures and registration, and Vijay went to his laboratory. As Lucky and Raj walked from one office to another throughout the morning, Lucky shared his personal story, and Raj was genuinely touched to hear all about Lucky's struggles.
At noon, they met up with Vijay and decided to go their familiar pizza place for lunch. They bought a few slices, loaded them up with as many spices as they could, and found a bench in a nearby garden where they could eat.
"So how was your day? Did you finish registration and everything?" Vijay asked Raj.
"Yes. Lucky helped me a lot. Now I just have to find the money to pay my tuition," Raj said between bites.
"You do not have a scholarship?" Lucky asked. "Otherwise, it is going to be very expensive."
"No, I don't have a good record like you guys, so I'm not going to get any scholarships or on-campus jobs," Raj explained.
"Then how are you going to manage so much money? Your parents are helping you?" Lucky asked.
"No. I heard that some students work outside the university to make money. Is that true?" Raj asked.
Vijay looked at Lucky before replying. "Hmm?I don't know?I've heard some students do it, but it's illegal." Vijay and Lucky had just met Raj, and they were reluctant to tell him about their illegal outside jobs. "What about housing?" Vijay asked, trying to change the subject.
"I don't know yet. We talked to the Indian Students Association like you suggested, but they were not very helpful. They made fun of my program," Raj replied. "They were saying things like, what kind of Indian would go for a degree in the arts, especially with his own money?"
"Well?I am sorry," Lucky said. "But, actually, I was also wondering same. We are Indians! We can be doctors or engineers. No one comes here for degree in fine arts!" Lucky laughed.
"Come on, stop it," Vijay gently chided Lucky. "It's not right that we should be only engineers or doctors, or to presume that doctors and engineers are better than artists. But my question is why you came to this particular university," he said, addressing Raj. "This school is not known for its program in the arts. You could have gone somewhere else and gotten a degree from some other well-known arts school, and paid less than what you're going to have to pay to be here. You must come from a filthy rich family!" Vijay said.
Raj looked as though he were going to reply, but changed his mind. "Are we done? Let's go then," he said, wiping his mouth with a paper napkin. "I need to talk to few more people about accommodations." Raj stood without further explanation.
"So, is your family?" Lucky began, but Vijay looked at him, and shook his head to discourage Lucky from pursuing the matter further. Vijay was concerned that somehow they had hurt Raj's feelings, and he wanted to drop the issue.
"I have a lot of work to do today, so you guys go home after you're done. I'll come home late today," Vijay said.
"What about Anna? Is she there? Did she ask for me? I can stay there with you if you want. Maybe I should come with you to the lab?" Lucky asked, as he quickly gathered his plate and napkins from the bench and threw them away.
"She did ask about you, but she couldn't remember your name," Vijay replied.
"Really! What did she say about me?" Lucky was excited.
"That she couldn't remember your name," Vijay said with a straight face.
Lucky punched Vijay's shoulder. "Come on, dude, I mean what else!"
"You are really in love with that girl, aren't you?" Vijay smiled, shaking his head. Raj patted Lucky's back.
"Oh, no. Nothing like that. She is just my friend. I want to concentrate on my studies," Lucky replied.
"Let's see what happens, Mr. Lucky. Time will tell," Vijay teased as they started walking back to the university.
Namaste New York: A Novel Page 10