Tino already knew the scoreline. Team “T” always wins. Tesla, Toyota, Tino, Tasha, Together. Alliteration always wins. 

It was only two weeks till the finals. Something had to give. 

On the third revision session, Tasha pitched up. She’d hit a stumbling block in her reading. Social Psychology has always been tricky, even for its pioneers. Leon Festinger (and his theory of cognitive dissonance) stands out in this regard. 

Tasha could not wrap her head around the founding principle of “cognitive dissonance”. What exactly is it, and why does it matter? 

Tino tried his level best to explain. He chose to expand this oft-misunderstood principle through the eyes of the famed “yin-yang” hyperbole. Tasha’s beaming eyes told him he had done a sterling job. 

From that day, Tasha attended every revision session. Tino had gained her respect and admiration. 

Now, there were only two days before the final exams. A tête-à-tête was still due. It was high time to pull out the big guns. 

After the penultimate revision talk, Tino asked Tasha to stay behind. After dismissing the group, he said, “Tasha, may I have a brief word with you.” Tasha’s downward grin and the rest of the troupe’s “uuuuuuuu” revealed that everyone saw this coming. 

How helpful. Tino launched straight into the assault.

“Tasha, I like you. Can I see more of you after all this?”

Another deep sigh from Tasha. “Maybe I like you too. We’ll see.”

What more is there to see? It has been years!