Sanyukta did not sleep well for the past two days. Her head was aching and she had to take aspirin to control the pain. Kaustuki took her shopping to Pacific Mall. They bought trousers and jackets and formal tops. Sanyukta still wanted to wear something traditional so Kaustuki bought some kurtis and patialas that were less colourful and vibrant. They had a really good time,or at least that is what Kaustuki felt. Sanyukta's mind were filled with thoughts. She wondered about last night's unexpected meeting and tomorrow's first day at her dream job. She thought Delhi was good,it was growing on her. But it felt as if all of a sudden everything was just snatched away from her and she was left with nothing at all.
Kaustuki asked her about the meeting-how it went,what they thought of her and how she replied. But mostly,she kept asking about Vardhan Shukla. Sanyukta did not ask why she was so curious about her boss because she had other things in mind.
Kaustuki made Sanyukta breakfast. "Today is a big day for you. You have to eat. Have faith",she advised .
Sanyukta was not in the mood to eat anything. She was tensed. She felt nauseous. But still,for Kaustuki's sake,she somehow managed to swallow the sandwich and some orange juice. She wore her new 'formal' clothes took her bag and went to work.
It was suffice to say that Sanyukta was not welcomed, like she had anticipated. People stared at her. She wore the right outfit,but not the right attitude,it seemed. She kept looking everywhere for Randhir. The receptionist had told her to go to Vardhan's office as he would like to brief her about her first project. The peon showed her the way but she still kept looking everywhere.
She almost bumped into Vidushee. "Watch where...",Vidushee stopped. She had never seen Sanyukta before and immediately understood that she was the new employee and partner in her Smart House project.
"I am so sorry",apologized Sanyukta.
"It's okay. You must be new here?" asked Vidushee.
"Yes,Sanyukta",she said and reached out her hand.
"Good luck",said Vidushee,grinned and went away without shaking Sanyukta's hand.
Soon she approached Vardhan's office. On the wooden door there was a plate that said,
VARDHAN SHUKLA
CHIEF MANAGERIAL OFFICER
"Wipe that tragic look off your face Sanyu",Sanyukta told herself and knocked.
"Come in",a deep and heavy voice said from inside.
Sanyukta turned the knob around and entered Vardhan's office. It was really big and had big glass windows that overlooked the busy street. Vardhan was facing towards the window and smoking a cigarette. Sanyukta was a little hesitant about approaching the desk. Vardhan turned and looked at Sanyukta,the cigarette stuck between his index and middle finger of his right hand. "Please sit down".
Sanyukta nodded and took a seat. There were loads of files on the desk.
Vardhan tookhis eat opposite her and said, "Enjoying your first day at work?"
Sanyukta looked a bit confused and said, "Sir,I haven't even started".
"And that is how you should be,straight and direct",said Vardhan with a raised voice that startled Sanyukta a little. "I saw you coming in and you looked very scared,very scared indeed. It was depressing. And I don't want depressed people working for this company."
Sanyukta said, "I understand sir."
"You better understand. SanCorp is one of the peak companies in the making. Its market capital is rising every day every minute. And it is because we are building stuff without any hesitation. Our workers,from the receptionist downstairs to our Marketing Team are all up in their game. We had a bummer last year but we have come out of it with flying colours and I will not see all that hard work going down the drains again."
Sanyukta nodded.
"Now you will go to room no11.the Smart House project team is working. I'm sure you have read all the briefs about this project and where we want to take this?" asked Vardhan.
"I have sir. And I think it is an innovative idea. It will definitely guarantee safety and will also take science and technology to its brim and a little beyond",said Sanyukta,suddenly gaining a sense of self-confidence.
"That is the attitude I want to see in you",said Vardhan. "You may leave".
Sanyukta thanked Vardhan for his time and went away,closing the door behind her.
"Interesting,very interesting",said Vardhan to himself after she had left.
Room no 11 was just round the corner of Vardhan's office. She took a deep breath and entered. There was no one inside the room,except Randhir. Sanyukta let go of her breath and approached the table where Randhir was working.
Randhir had noticed her entering but he did not react. He had made a solemn promise to himself that her presence won't distract her even if she tried.
"I need to know how much has you team progressed so that I can catch up",said Sanyukta,with a stern voice.
Randhir's promise was very short-lived.
"I am working on it right now",said Randhir.
"Well, I want to join in",said Sanyukta.
"I don't need your help. Besides,how much do you really know about this project?"
"As much as you do. I read the briefs and now I want to pitch in".
Randhir got up from his chair,angrily. "Don't you understand?" he grabbed her and shouted. "I don't need your help!"
The room was soundproof or else every person on the floor would have gathered inside the room.
"You're hurting me! Leave me!" yelled Sanyukta.
Randhir realizing that he had just crossed his line let her go and began to resume his work. "I don't need your help!",he said one last time.
"Yeah you do",said Sanyukta. And this time she was really angry. All that fear inside her had suddenly turned to anger. "Or else Vardhan sir would have never hired a ninth member in this project".
"What did you say just now?" Randhir asked her,he was now angry and stunned. "Don't forget you are new here".
"I do know that and thank you for reminding me. But when I am inside the building, I expect you and everyone else to treat me with some respect."
"Now you are just crossing your ethical line..." began Randhir but Sanyukta cut him short.
"And what you just did a minute ago was what...staying within the boundary of that ethical line?"
Randhir began to work on a small machine. He realized it was pointless arguing with Sanyukta. He had to get this smart house done. The deadline ends in two months and till today he has never missed it. And this new girl would certainly not be the reason for his failure.
Sanyukta took a deep breath and approached him again "Look I understand I am not the person you want to listen right now,but we have to put that night aside and move on. We need to have a professional relationship or else everything we...I mean you have worked for will fall apart."
"Professional relationship with you? Give me a break. I would pay my entire month's salary if anyone can put up with you in this company."
"Fine. Don't keep a professional relationship with me. Do your own stuff..."
"That is exactly the way I work. That is the way I would like to work...and I would never allow anyone else to come inbetween that...especially you Miss. Sanyukta Aggarwal! You think I am proud of what happened that say between us?"
"Nothing happened between us! We just talked and you rove me home..."
"My first mistake! I should have left you alone at that party...for some other guy".
Sanyukta was furious. Nobody had spoken to her like that ever.She was about to raise her finger and give Randhir a mouthful but just then some people entered. It was Vidushee and Jiggy. "Hey Randhir",,said Vidushee.
Randhir immediately resumed his work and Sanyukta tried to calm herself down and pretend that nothing was wrong.
"Arrey aap kaun?" asked Jiggy and approached Sanyukta.
"Sanyukta Aggarwal",she replied looking one more time at Randhir.
"Oh you are Sanyukta? Nice to meet you,myself Jignesh. But please call me Jiggy",he said it with a smile and took Sanyukta's hand,much to her surprise, and shook it with both his hands."Nice to meet you,Sanyukta."
"Likewise",replied Sanyukta.
"Vidushee",said the girl who started working on some files. "Hope you are enjoying the ambiance of this place?"
Sanyukta nodded. Vidushee observed her from head to toe and then looked at Randhir. He was busy constructing a part of an alarm system. It was clear that Vidushee had noticed a sense of tension between Randhir and Sanyukta just as she was entering the room with Jiggy. She looked at Sanyukta again and then looked away.
"Come Sanyukta,I'll show you what you have to do",said Jiggy.
Randhir looked at Sanyukta as she was heading towards another table with Jiggy. This was also noticed by Vidushee who probably came up with many conclusions.
"I don't care how talented and nice you maybe Sanyukta. But I am sure won't hell let you get close to me. I know you,the kinds of you. Trying to get cozy to successful men so that you can devour his wealth. You just wait and see...you soon will understand why its so hard to compete with me,compete against me!" thought Randhir to himself.
"Randhir,I think the alarm system that you are making will take this Smart House ahead",said Vidushee and smiled,hoping he would look at her.
Randhir did not reply.
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