After drinking until slightly drunk at the bar, the two drove home immediately. In fact, the United States does not allow drunk driving. In California, if the blood alcohol content exceeds 0.08%, you can be convicted and arrested immediately, facing fines, bail costs, towing fees, car storage fees, and other expenses. In serious cases, offenders may even face imprisonment, license suspension, and other penalties. Moreover, insurance premiums increase significantly after a DUI conviction.
In the show, Penny violated traffic regulations so many times that her insurance costs became so exorbitant she joked about having to buy insurance in the Cayman Islands. However, enforcement of drunk driving laws in the United States can be inconsistent. As long as the vehicle isn't being driven too erratically—weaving in S-curves or zigzagging patterns—drivers are rarely pulled over for random checks.
After returning home, it was a lingering, passionate affair. When morning came, Raj still sent Lalita away as planned, then headed back to school to meet with Paige. On the way, he received a call from the Koothrappali couple.
"Rajesh, how are you getting along with Lalita?" Dr. Koothrappali asked with genuine concern in his voice.
"Overall, it's pretty good," Raj responded thoughtfully. Lalita was both beautiful and intelligent, came from a good family background, and had been very gentle and considerate toward him during their time together. He genuinely thought Lalita was an excellent match. The only notable shortcoming was that Lalita and Howard couldn't seem to get along, which created some social awkwardness.
"I heard from Lalita's father that she is also very satisfied with you," Dr. Koothrappali said with evident satisfaction. "Rajesh, if this is the case, then we should move forward quickly and arrange the wedding. We're thinking of next spring—it would be perfect timing to avoid the rainy season."
"Papa, I've told you before that I don't want to get married too hastily," Raj immediately objected, his tone firm but respectful. "I hope to spend more time with Lalita first, to cultivate our relationship and get to know each other better. Just like you did with Mama before you married. Then we can think about getting married."
The time he had actually spent with Lalita was still remarkably short—they hadn't even been together for a full twenty-four hours yet. He thought it was far too hasty to decide on marriage at this point. He still didn't know enough about Lalita: what her true character was like, what hobbies and interests she had, what flaws or quirks she might possess—he hadn't figured any of it out yet. If he married her under these circumstances, it would be no different from the blind marriages that were common hundreds of years ago.
"She is satisfied with you, and you are satisfied with her. That's enough. What else do you need to know?" Dr. Koothrappali asked, genuinely puzzled by his son's hesitation.
"Papa, I hope to fall in love first and then get married, like you and Mama did," Raj explained patiently. "The time I've spent with Lalita is too short, and we still don't know enough about each other. Please give us some more time. Lalita shares the same opinion—we both want to enjoy our time together as a couple, to really experience dating, and we're not planning to rush into marriage."
"Then there must be some kind of timeline, some plan," Dr. Koothrappali pressed, unwilling to leave the matter completely open-ended.
"Lalita is just in her first year of graduate school, and she won't be graduating for at least another year. And my research has just started—it will take at least a year to produce meaningful results," Raj thought carefully before answering. "Well, at least give us one year."
Within one year, the quantum navigation system and the quantum communication system should be able to complete the debugging of their prototypes and secure cooperation agreements with commercial companies. The "Super Asymmetry Theory" work could also make significant progress. With these two major projects, it would be enough to make Raj both famous in his field and financially successful. And one year would be enough time for him to see clearly whether Lalita was truly suitable as a marriage partner.
"Okay, then one year," Dr. Koothrappali agreed after a moment of consideration. He didn't want to push his son too hard. Raj no longer needed the family's financial support, and the only real bond with the family now was emotional connection. If he pushed his son too far and that bond broke, Raj might distance himself permanently. Besides, what his son said made sense. Raj was just starting his career, and there was still this major invention that hadn't been successfully completed. Once he succeeded, his son would become a giant in the technology world, become famous internationally, and earn substantial income. At that point, finding an even better partner wouldn't be difficult.
Back at school, after meeting with Paige, Raj gave her a copy of his house key.
"Saturday, Sunday, or weekday evenings—whichever days you have time—come by and help me tidy up the place," he said with a friendly smile.
"Okay, thank you, Raj," Paige nodded gratefully.
"You're welcome," Raj smiled warmly. "Don't worry about working today, though. Hurry up and find a proper place to live, and move out as soon as possible. Otherwise, every additional day you stay in that neighborhood, I'll be worrying about your safety."
Paige was taken aback by his concern and looked at Raj with a hint of suspicion. "Raj, why are you being so kind to me? Are you treating me this way just because I'm attractive?"
"I have to be honest—beautiful people do receive special treatment in this world," Raj acknowledged frankly. "It's like with endangered animals: cute pandas get all the attention and conservation efforts, while ugly mountain tapirs, despite being equally endangered, get largely ignored because no one finds them appealing."
"But the reason I'm helping you this way is mainly because I try to be a good person," he continued with a self-deprecating laugh. "Before meeting you, I once sponsored a penguin at the Los Angeles Zoo. I even named it Doudou."
After listening to his explanation, Paige nodded with understanding. "Thank you, Raj."
"You're welcome. I'm helping you for my own peace of mind as much as for your benefit," Raj said sincerely. "If you ever feel that my help is interfering with your life or making you uncomfortable, please tell me directly. I'll back off."
"No, not at all," Paige quickly waved her hand in denial. "I'm very grateful for your help. Really."
"That's good to hear," Raj nodded with satisfaction.
Over the next day, Raj contacted a real estate agency and personally took Paige to view potential apartments. Although the timeframe was short and they didn't have many listings to choose from, even the most modest options they viewed were significantly better than Paige's current slum residence. At least these apartments only required money for rent, whereas her current neighborhood posed actual threats to her physical safety.
After viewing three different properties, Paige finally settled on an apartment on Windsor Avenue. This particular unit was the most affordable of their options, with a monthly rent of only one thousand dollars. However, the living environment was considerably better: the building had complete amenities, public transportation was convenient and reliable, and it was only fifteen kilometers from Caltech—just a thirty-minute bus ride. Most importantly, the neighborhood had good security and a very low crime rate. Single women could walk alone at night without significant danger. This safety factor was what appealed to Raj the most.
After choosing the apartment, Raj immediately began planning to help Paige move.
"Raj, my current lease isn't up for a few more days. I'll wait until then before moving," Paige suggested, trying to be financially prudent.
"Paige, what's more important—saving a few days' rent, or protecting your life?" Raj asked seriously. "You should move immediately. While I have time to help you now, you can save the cost of hiring movers. Otherwise, if you wait and have to hire a moving company later, that will cost money too."
Hearing his logical argument presented so directly, Paige thought for a moment and finally nodded in agreement.
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