"Okay, class, I'm trying something new this semester." Our teacher, Desai, tells us, "I'm putting every one of you in a group of two, and you will be in the same group for the remainder of the semester." As everyone looks about, my eyes wander to Indra, seated on the first bench and paying attention to our teacher.

"Do we have to choose our partner?" Neha, seated next to me in class, asks the teacher a question.

"You can choose your partners, but group work is required. No working on a project alone," Ms. Desai tells Indra, "You need to work in groups. This last sentence was for you."

The response from the entire class was either a whine or a grunt. While some people were content to work with their partners, others were looking for partners. The teacher called each student by name and inquired about their preferred pairing for the following five minutes.

"Indraneel, who do you wish to work on a project with?" Ms. Desai asked him a question, and everyone knew the answer.

He says, "It's Neerja Raut."

"Neerja and Indraneel, you two are partners," Ms. Desai says.

I overheard some subtle remarks from the girls, some of whom expressed their sympathy for me to their partners, and others claimed that I'm fortunate to be coupled with Indra since he will handle all of the work while I get to laze around and do nothing. I must be made aware that Indraneel won't let me take a break and will force me to do my assigned tasks.

The teacher explained the project's topics, deadlines, and required format. We were given a list of projects because we are business administration students, but I am confident that Indraneel will have a different theme than the rest.

I was waiting for Indraneel after the classes ended so we could walk home. To ask specific questions, Indraneel was with the teacher. I was standing in the hallway and observing everyone boarding the bus. Some were laughing, some were exhausted, and the girls gossiped off as usual. My phone began to buzz, and it was Ma calling.

I greet Mumma, "Hello, we'll be home in the next fifteen minutes," I say while fiddling with the straps of my backpack.

"Good. But the reason I called was rather urgent since your Papa, and I are seeing a family member. We'll return home after dark." Ma replies, "I have told Indraneel to wait with you until we get there so you can order something from outside for dinner,"

I can hear Papa eagerly calling Mumma in the background.

I reassure her, "Okay, Mumma."

"Okay, Beta, get to studying and have dinner promptly." She says, "We'll be home shortly." I Hang up, and I keep the phone in my bag.

While waiting, Indraneel bursts in, saying, "Sorry I got late; I had to share my ideas with madam about my new thesis."

I ask Indra, "What are you working on?" as we begin to move toward our house.

"I've built a prototype for a new business strategy. I sought opinions on that. When I'm sure it will work, I'll show you the prototype someday," Indra says with a smile as we walk through the school's front gate.

I ask him, "So what ideas do you have for the project?"

"I haven't given that much thought, but we will come up with something. I'm hoping you can come up with some ideas for me, Neer," he teases, and I know he's playing a joke on me.

As I kick the stone, I tell him, "Yes, I have thought of many ideas, but I don't have any for now." The stone strikes a wall close before falling.

"All right, Neer, I've given the new project some thought. I'm considering a topic related to innovation and technology." He continues, "In electronic commerce...."

I don't respond since I need to know what needs to be done in that area.

"E-commerce strategy is a plan of action that determines every marketing and technical orientation of the organization," he adds as he stares at my expressionless face. "The strategy includes specified objectives, anticipated measurements, potential issues, and outlined solutions. E-commerce has undergone the most upheaval in the age of digital transformation than any other industry. Retail businesses must become well-known, establish a solid reputation, and develop distinctive customer benefits. Because large retailers like Amazon or Alibaba monopolize the market, smaller firms must create unique, alternative retail experiences to stand out."

I ask him the following questions after finally understanding an e-commerce strategy: "But what is an innovation in e-commerce?"

He responds, "Good question Neer; let me explain to you."

"Individuals can use business innovation in various contexts, including the supply chain, advertising, and touchpoints after the sale. It involves modifying current procedures and introducing fresh concepts, methods, products, or services to overcome obstacles, raise productivity, and frequently increase profits. It takes more than just establishing an online business to increase sales and revenue. Staying ahead of the curve and creating innovations are crucial if you want to succeed in the fiercely competitive world of e-commerce," he claims.

Again, I have no idea what he means when he says, "We are going to focus on the innovation made in Digital Stores." This serves as a helpful reminder for me to read more newspapers and keep up with current events.

I pressed him again, "Explain what digital marketplaces are."

He asks, "Okay, tell me, do you like offline buying or online shopping?"

I tell him, "I like both, but there are times when I prefer offline since it allows me to touch the fabric and see how the color looks on me, which online shopping doesn't allow."

"The fact that online businesses cannot duplicate the shopping experience provided by physical stores is one of their major problems. People still appreciate going to retail establishments to touch, feel, and try out objects in addition to just enjoying the adrenaline sensations of being there. This physical experience is not available when buying online. Cutting-edge technology assists online retailers by bridging the gap between online and offline buying. Pop-up stores, for instance, are being used by well-known companies like Walmart, Delta Airlines, eBay, and others to make shopping more enjoyable for its clients," he says.

"DO you have any examples of businesses working on digital frontiers?" I ask him a question and am sure that he will have an answer. He conducts numerous studies.

"Consider the American fashion label Rebecca Minkoff, which collaborated with an e-commerce development company called Magento to construct a "Smart In-store Dressing Room." Users can build a profile for them, and the smart fitting room then records various information, including the clothing users have tried on, what they have bought, and what they left behind. This information enables the app to notify consumers appropriately when a specific product is on sale," he says.

I tell him, "Okay, as technology advances, people may anticipate a seamless buying experience that merges online and offline shopping."

Indra says, "Bingo Neer, so we're going to do our research paper on it, and we're also going to search which Indian company does that and write project thesis on that," and I have to say, this person is a bundle of intelligence. We were already at home when we had our project discussion.

He again tormented me, saying, "Aunty had called, and she told me to babysit for you till they arrive at night."

I elevate my chin and declare with pride, "I don't need anyone to watch over me; I'm a twenty-two-year-old girl who is bold and courageous and can do all her job."

"Is it?" He said, "You don't need me, so I'm leaving. I'm going back home."

"All right, you may leave, but what about the project?" He smiles as he turns around to answer my question. He is aware that the dark and alone make me anxious.

"Okay," he responds, and we then get dressed, eat some Poha (Spicy flattened rice) that Mumma made, and begin our studies. Studying with Indraneel is always enjoyable since he clearly explains all the concepts. When we were through, it was soon dinnertime.

"I forgot to order for dinner, Indra. It's becoming late, but let me quickly order something; Mumma has advised me to order something," I tell him as I grab my phone to see which restaurant will deliver swiftly.

I hear Indra say, "It's dinner time, Neer, and all the restaurants will require a minimum delivery time of roughly 90 minutes, and I'm hungry."

"I used the app, and the minimum delivery time for all restaurants is approximately 90 minutes. It will be quite late when we place our order, and I'm also hungry. What shall we then do?" I interrogate him.

He grins and says, "I have a wild notion, we haven't done this before, but we can always try."

"Explain to me, Mr. Intelligent, what's your plan?" I ask him while biting an apple I just pulled out of the fridge.

"How about we make dinner together, my dearest friend?" He interrogates me before snatching the apple out of my fingers and devouring the other half. I've never even boiled an egg, I'm curious about how I will prepare food.