Sanyukta laid on her bed and stared out of the open window. It overlooked another neighbour's balcony. A mother and a teenage daughter were sitting and enjoying tea,she supposed. They were laughing. Sanyukta's eyes filled with tears. She remembered her mother,the only one who ever understood her. She wanted to call her and talk to her. But what would she say? She didn't know why she was feeling so low. Maybe because she missed her mother and Shimla so much,the simple lifestyle. Or maybe it was something completely else. It was almost a week since she joined SanCorp. She got used to the trends of the company. The CEOs of SanCorp were never there and it was Vardhan Shukla who operated everything and everyone. The CFO, Raj Nayar is not very fond of him but Sanyukta conjectured that he couldn't do anything about it. Vardhan Shukla had immense control over his peers and colleagues. She got the idea that Vidushee was a girl who could not be trusted. She always pretended to be something she could never be. "A girl with ulterior motives", Jiggy had told her. Sanyukta liked Jiggy. He was funny,confused but respected Sanyukta. And then...there was Randhir. A guy whom Sanyukta hardly talked nowadays. They never discussed anything even when the team was working on the project that was going on the floors in a few weeks.
"Sanyukta, are you going to just lie there all day?" asked Kaustuki. "Its really depressing to see you like this."
"Yeah,my head is just aching a little",lied Sanyukta.
"Do you want tea? I'll make some",said Kaustuki.
"No,you go ahead",said Sanyukta.
"Then bunk. I'll not drink..." Kaustuki's phone rang.
"I'll have to take this",said she and went into her room which was adjacent to Sanyukta's.
Sanyukta realized that this was not the reason why she had come to Delhi. Away from everything she loved. Everyone she loved. What happened with Randhir was a co-incident and she had to put it behind her and move on. She knew Kaustuki was not liking her the way she is behaving-all crumbled up on her bed all day,on a Sunday. It's going to be another hectic week again from tomorrow. Atleast she can enjoy the evening before the next Sunday comes.
She got up from her bed and decided to make tea for her and Kaustuki. She also decided to make some onion rings,she knew they were Kaustuki's favourites.
She decided to go to Kaustuki's room and let her know that she was feeling better. Just as she was about to enter she heard her talking on the phone, "...I said I'll get it done. I know I'm behind but I will get it done. Stop calling me like this. I will call you." Sanyukta reckoned it was best if she knocked first. So she did.
Kustuki turned around,surprised and quite taken aback. "Sanyukta,you're here!"
"Yeah,I decided to make that tea. I hope I did not interrupt you or anything."
"Um...no...when did you come?"
"Just a few seconds ago",said Sanyukta. Kaustuki was still a little stunned and looked a little worried. "Don't worry,I did not hear anything",assured Sanyukta and she went to the kitchen and put the kettle on for tea and got some onions ready for the rings.
"Its not that",said Kaustuki joining in "This case...its really...complicated."
"Well,can I know somethings about it? I mean only if you want to. I don't want to break any...client-lawyer privileges or anything..."
"Absolutely. Its fine. Well",began Kaustuki and she sat opposite to Sanyukta at the kitchen counter and helped her cut the onions. "I am a freelance lawyer like I've told you before. Well, I am assisting this small firm in a case. Its not public yet. Actually,you're probably the first person to know this who is not a lawyer."
"Well,you can stop if you want to",suggested Sanyukta.
"No. Its okay. Well,this small firm is investigating a critical case against this powerful man and he is really...shrewd and ...I don't know".
"How powerful are we exactly talking about?" asked Sanyukta poring the tempura battered onion rings into the hot oil."A politician?"
"No,not a politician. A powerful man with some strong connections. And he wants to get ahead of everyone and he is willing to do anything for that".
"Even murder?" smiled Sanyukta.
"Maybe",said Kaustuki sternly. Sanyukta's smile vanished.
Till that moment,Sanyukta thought that her life was difficult. She was facing the most complicated situations. But clearly she had ruled out her room mate who probably deals with 'dangerous' and 'complications' everyday. "I never bothered asking you anything about your job and you are always concerned about mine. Thank you for telling me this. I will keep this discreet",assured Sanyukta.
Kaustuki smiled.
Sunday evening was well spent. Kaustuki told her about growing up in her father's restaurant and how she would pray to god that she never would have to be a chef like him. "Its a lot of hard work",she said. They talked about families,friends and love interests. "Have you ever felt that strong emotions for someone?" Kaustuki asked.
"No,not really",replied Sanyukta.
"Well,its beautiful at first. The first meeting and that first talk you have with him,makes you feel special,makes you feel different",said Kaustuki.
Sanyukta remebered her second visit to Myara Cafe and her "accidental" meeting with Randhir and the events that followed after. "Seems like you certainly have fallen in love with someone",grinned Sanyukta.
"Had. Past tense",replied Kaustuki.
"Why? What happened?"
"Nothing...um...did not work out."
"Well,there certainly is a reason for that,isn't it?"
"Well,we decided it would be for the best."
"Arrey,aise kaise?"
"He...he is married. With a kid. I knew this when I pursued the relationship.I had known all along."
Sanyukta stopped. She just did not know what to say.
"You must think I'm pathetic?" asked Kaustuki.
"No,ofcourse not...I...I believe you genuinely loved him",replied Sanyukta.
"I did",said Kaustuki softly.
Next day was a very busy day at SanCorp. The first thing Sanyukta came to know as he stepped inside the huge building was that Vardhan sir needed a solid plan of the outline of the smart house. An architectural team was arriving from Mumbai to design the houses and facilitate all the technologies and complete the Smart House. They got so busy that none of them took lunch breaks even though they were hugely starving (Vidushee tried but she realized that that would upset Randhir and that was the last thing she needed at the moment).
"Okay guys",announced Randhir. "I need to test the fire alarm operator. Jiggy,light a match stick".
Jiggy took out a lighter from his pocket (he smoked to ease stress) and lit it under a bell shaped dome. But nothing happened.
"Impossible!" yelled Randhir. "I am sure I did everything correctly".
"Have you checked the wiring? The one that connects the oxygen fuel to the alarm?" asked Sanyukta. Randhir looked at her and said, "You think I am that careless. Ofcourse I did!"
"No you did not",said Sahil,another project member as he was going through the wiring. The all looked at the loose connection that he was pointing at. The basic idea was that whenever there would be an out-of-controlled fire,the member living inside the Smart House would press an alarm that would immediately suck out all the oxygen from the entire house. That would prevent the fire from spreading and without the supply of oxygen,it would extinguish without causing much harm. Meanwhile the members of the Smart House would have enough time to evacuate and leave the house so that they can get the oxygen to breathe.
Randhir looked at Sahil and fixed the wiring. Vidushee thought that this was her moment to shine. "Well,it was a careless mistake. It could have happened to anyone. Don't get all offensive on Randhir. He is doing all the hard work here",she said.
No one responded,not even agreed. Sanyukta went back to her bench and did the outlining for the other details while Randhir and Jiggy tested the fire alarm system.
Just then a peon came and said that Vardhan sir had called the entire team in his office. The team immediately left things the way they were and followed him.
Vardhan was in his office with Raj Nayar,the CFO. They were discussing something when Randhir knocked and they all entered.
"How is progress?" Vardhan asked.
"Really good sir",said Randhir. "We just tested an important function of our Smart House,the fire alarm system and it worked beautifully without a problem." He looked at Sanyukta for a slight moment but she did not react. She was rather calm and collected.
"Interesting. Very interesting",said Vardhan.
"We have some very demanding sponsors",began Raj "They are very enthusiastic about this innovative idea and they are willing to contribute any sum of money you all require towards building the Smart House."
"Well,we would like to hold onto some of that funds for future innovations. Thank you so much sir",said Randhir. He then turned to Vardhan and asked, "Sir,this architectural team you told us about earlier this week...who are they,if I may ask."
"Yes,the team who will give your smart house the body it needs. They will be arriving tomorrow from Mumbai. Now these guys,I think 5 of them will be coming,are some solid architects. They have been working with the best and have projects all over the country.They are currently working on the Koachin Port Bridge in Kerala but the CEO were able to send some of the best players for us",said Vardhan.
"Sir,mind if I ask which company?" said Sanyukta,crossing her fingers.
"Not at all. Divergent Constructions".
Sanyukta stared at Vardhan. Ever since she ha dcome to know about this team from Mumbai,she had anticipated something,deep down,that it would be her brother,Ankit's company. His brother is one of the leading architects of the company and was fully aware that his sister is working in Sancorp in Delhi. There was no way in hell would he miss the opportunity and come and witness her himself in the name of work. But she had to be sure.
"Wow Thank you sir,to both of you",said Randhir. "Divergent is one of the leading construction companies in the country. "
"And you all better make full use of this situation",suggested Vardhan. "Now get back to work."
They all left the office.
Outside, as everyone was approaching the office, Sanyukta noticed that Jiggy was a feeling a little low for some odd reason. "Kya hua?" she asked.
"Nothing,...its just that...the CFO always has funds and sponsors for the Smart House but never for the Smart App", and saying this he went back to the room they were all working.
Randhir was drinking a a glass of water when Vidushee came to him and said, "I know that you have high hopes for this Smart House Project and trust me,we are all here to support you,especially me",and saying this he gradually got a little closer to Randhir.
"Thanks",said Randhir and took another sip of the water.
"You know,if there is anything you need me to do for you,you just have to say it. And it'll be done. no hard feelings at all."
Randhir looked at Vidushhe and said firmly, "For now, I need you to get away from me. Its a little too hot for you to be standing so close to someone like that".And he went to the room.
Sanyukta,at first decided to call Ankit herself and know the truth. But she then figured that it would be a little too risky. Plus,he would say something 'ulta-sidha'. She decided to call Ankit's office, Divergent Constructions in Mumbai. She had the number ever since Ankit went to Mumbai.
"Hello?" said a cool female voice from the other end of the phone.
"Hi, can I please speak to mr. Ankit Aggarwal please. It's an emergency!" said Sanyukta.
"I am sorry, Mr. Aggarwal has just left for the airport. He will be in Delhi for a few weeks due to some work. But if you could kindly leave your name and contact details he'll get back to you shortly."
Sanyukta immediately hung up,knowing that her worst fear had just come true.
NOTE:Guys,some of you may find this chapter a little uninteresting considering there are no SanDhir moments. But I mean it when I say that every chapter has a significant impact on the FF as it helps to gear the story towards its ultimatum. Please comment/criticize and don't forget to press the 'LIKE' button below.
12