Miranda understood what Tina was trying to say. She merely smiled and didnât try to explain anything.
Tina asked, âIf Iâm not mistaken, you did your undergraduate studies at Bedford College, right? Which school are you trying to apply for this time?â
Miranda replied, âIâm still opting for Bedford College.â
âAre you going for a research Masterâs program or a taught Masterâs program?â
âResearch.â
âIn which major?â
âBiology.â
Tinaâs brows arched. Mirandaâs choices were the same as hers. âDo you have a lecturer you plan on asking to be your supervisor?â
Miranda didnât try to hide her plan. She nodded. âYes. Itâs Dr. Young.â
âWho? You mean Christine Young?â
Miranda hummed in assent. Tina recalled the time sheâd seen Miranda at Christineâs house and thought she was working partâtime as hired. help. She looked a little perplexed.
âYou⦠Youâre not under the impression that Dr. Young will agree to your request just because you helped out with her household chores, are you?â
Miranda smiled awkwardly. âThere was some misunderstanding at that
time.â
âMisunderstanding? Iâll be frank with you. Dr. Young is the most
Charles Doed
distinguished scholar in the field of biology, and sheâs wellâknown for being strict.
âAlso, sheâs mostly taken PhD students under her wing for the past few years but not Masterâs students. There are very limited spots, soâ¦â
Tina paused briefly. âItâs really difficult to get her to be your supervisor. Iâll be honest. Iâm applying to be her postgraduate student, too.
âYou may think Iâm saying this for my own good, but I still want to share this as advice. You should consider changing to another lecturer while itâs not too late. Thereâs still time for you to contact other lecturers before the results come out.â
Tina felt like sheâd given Miranda the most pragmatic, helpful -suggestion she could think of. That was the most she could do for the
latter.
âThank you.â Miranda gave Tina a slight nod. âIâll get going, then.â She walked away right after saying that.
Tina was left dumbfounded by Mirandaâs plain response.
Miranda managed to get on the 5:00 pm subway. Her fingers were freezing at that point. Fortunately, the warm air generated by the heater helped her feel much better.
Her phone, which sheâd stashed away in her bag, rang just then. Miranda took off her gloves.
The corners of her mouth lifted when she saw the number on the
screen. She said chirpily, âHello, Dr. Young.â
âSo, how did it go?â Christine asked in her usual gentle and cheerful
tone.
She didnât try to put any pressure on Miranda. It was as though she was
just asking about it in passing. owns all © content.
âWell, I answered everything I knew about,â Miranda replied honestly.
âThatâs good enough. I never had to worry about how you performed in tests.â Christine chuckled.
During her years in college, Miranda had scored full marks for most of her major courses and passed the compulsory courses with flying
colors.
âItâs really cold outside. Have you reached home? Be careful not to catch a cold out there.â
âIâm on the subway now. Iâve heard that youâre having leg pain again. Iâve bought some medicine. Iâll bring it to you once the exams are over.â
Christine had hurt her legs when sheâd been younger. Sheâd suffer severe pain in her legs during the winter, especially when it rained.
Her condition had improved after sheâd tried acupuncture treatment two years ago. However, sheâd recently started to suffer from the symptoms. again.
âSure. Iâm going to be home for the next few days.â
Christine looked at the calendar. The day after tomorrow was a Saturday. She could invite Miranda over for dinner.
Miranda lifted her gaze and noticed that she was almost at her stop.
After she hung up, she squeezed her way through the crowd of people. whoâd just gotten off work and headed for the second exit.
A gust of cold wind blew onto Mirandaâs face as soon as she got out of the station. She almost slipped as she was caught off guard.
Just then, a hand was placed against Mirandaâs back. A shadow
loomed over her.
-
She raised her head and spotted Paul. She beamed. âHow come youâre here?â
Iâm on my way back to get some materials I need. Itâs a little risky to drive in this weather since the roads are slippery. So, I used the subway. *Paul helped her regain her footing.
The two of them walked side by side and chatted.
âHow was the exam?â
Miranda responded, âI think it went well.â
Paul smiled faintly and said nothing.