In my "Life without Penny" series the four male principal characters in TBBT split up. Only Sheldon stays at Caltech, Leonard returns home to Princeton, Howard moves to the Kennedy Space Centre and Raj returns to his alma mater of Cambridge University. What happened to Raj? Part 7 - Raj meets Samina

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From: Samina dot Sharma at cam dot ac dot uk

To: Raj dot Koothrappali at cam dot ac dot uk

Dear Dr. Koothrappali, I am Dr. Samina Sharma, we should get to know each other before we start this potential relationship. I was born in London of Indian parents, I moved to India when I was 13, I did my first degree in Chemistry at Delhi University. I then returned to the UK 9 years ago to study for a Ph.D here in good old Cambridge. After my Ph.D I did a postdoc in France before returning to Cambridge. I have just been appointed as a lecturer in Chemistry. Now I have a permanent academic position I am thinking of settling down. My uncle works at the same hospital in Delhi as your father, I hear that you want a wife?

From: Raj dot Koothrappali at cam dot ac dot uk

To: Samina dot Sharma at cam dot ac dot uk

Dear Dr. Sharma, I am Dr. Rajesh Koothrappali. Your information is correct, I do want a wife and it looks like my father and your uncle have been talking. I am from Delhi, I did my first degree in Physics at Delhi University and then I came here to good old Cambridge to study for a Ph.D in Astrophysics. I left to do a postdoc at Caltech in the USA 9 years ago, I left Cambridge the year that you arrived. One year ago I returned to become lecturer in Astrophysics. I must warn you in advance that I have problems talking to unrelated women unless I am drunk or on medication. I understand that I am not a very nice person when I am like that.

From: Samina dot Sharma at cam dot ac dot uk

To: Raj dot Koothrappali at cam dot ac dot uk

Dear Raj. You can't talk to unrelated women? Think of me as a potential future relation. There is an Indian restaurant just off Kings Parade, do you want to meet there for dinner tomorrow night?

From: Raj dot Koothrappali at cam dot ac dot uk

To: Samina dot Sharma at cam dot ac dot uk

Dear Samina. You should know that I can't stand Indian food! There is a very nice Thai restaurant in the city centre, do you want to meet there?…

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In the Thai restaurant

Samina greeted Raj and took hold of both of his hands.

Raj tried to speak but all that came out of his mouth were a few high pitched squeaks.

"Don't panic Raj, potential future relation don't forget, lets sit down" as she led him to their table.

Raj sat down and Samina took his hands again. Then Raj very slowly began to speak.

"Thank you Samina for being so understanding."

"Oh just you wait until you discover some of my foibles Raj. It's good to finally meet you Dr. Koothrappali, people say that I talk too much. It is good to be with someone who won't be dominating the conversation. I understand that you are at Wolfson, I was at Darwin as a student and they have just invited me to become a college fellow. I chose Darwin as I was coming to Cambridge to be a scientist, a college named after a great Cambridge educated scientist looked like a good choice."

Then Raj rather hesitantly replied "I just picked a college at random and Wolfson snapped me up."

Samina gave his hands a squeeze "Well done Raj, join in when you can."

"How are you enjoying being a lecturer? I did some guest lecturing as a postdoc but next week I get to do it for real. I will get to teach introductory solid state chemistry to NatSci students. I am nervous but excited? How do you find lecturing."

"Provided I don't look at lady students I am OK."

"Looks like the waiter is here….."

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As they ate Samina asked a question

"So Raj, where is home? India, California, Cambridge?"

Raj was less hesitant in his reply

"I suppose India will always be home but I don't like it, too noisy and crowded."

"Me too, I am proud of my Indian heritage but England has always been home. I always felt like an outsider in India, the girl with the English accent. I was happy to come back to Cambridge. When were you last in India Raj?"

"I was last there 5 months ago, my sister got married. A week before I was in California for a friends wedding. Since I got back I have been thinking maybe it is time for me to get married."

"So here we are Dr. Koothrappali."

"Indeed here we are Dr. Sharma."

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After they left the restaurant Samina said "Thank you Raj, that was fun :-)"

"Yes, can we try your Indian restaurant next time….."