The entire team was busy with the completion of the Smart House Project. Only one week was left till the project went on the floors. Divergent had designed amazing houses and apartments with the new technology and it could not have been better. For simplicity,Ankit had divided the entire team into pairs comprising of one mechanical engineer and an architect. Since Randhir was the project head,he requested to be with Ankit. Sanyukta and Parth were paired together. The pairs were working on their individual parts. Vardhan had already announced that it might be along night for the entire team. So Sanyukta decided to call up Kaustuki and told her not to stay awake for her.
"Yes yes,I have a spare key. You go to bed. Don't worry about me",she said on the phone and then hung up. She then joined Parth at their work bench.
"Your roommate huh?" he asked.
"Yeah. She's a lawyer. Freelancer",replied Sanyukta. "So where were we?"
Parth gave her a blueprint. "This is the design that I came up with for the pool side. The sliding door will cover the entire pool if there is a theft."
"Acha,so the door will be like a bullet-proof?"
"That is upto to you guys isn't it?" smiled Parth.
Sanyukta was embarrassed. Randhir never let her know enough about the project as a whole,just her parts. "Yeah yeah, I forgot",she lied.
Parth laughed a little. "You are really confussed and funny".
"People say that to me a lot",she said. "Not the funny part,the confussed part".
"Acha? Kyun?"
"I don't know...I guess I am. What about you?"
"What about me?"
"You always keep asking about me. But you never say anything about yourself."
"Okay,fine. What do you want to know?"
"Anything. Like what made you become an architect or something like that..."
"Nothing. It just came onto me. I grew up in a boarding school in Dehra Dun and one day,the library ceiling broke down. I was a prefect then. So the principal told some of the badge holders,including me to monitor the maintenance work as it was during winter and all the staff members were off-duty. And watching them fix the ceiling...you know the planning...the smell of cement just made me realize that I want be that person. Not fixing the ceiling ofcourse but build stuff,strong stuff. And bas...ho gaya main architect".
"Wow! That was very inspirational. And growing up in a boarding...was it difficult? I mean staying away from your family?"
"My parents both lived in Toronto that time. They were both teachers. I was born there but they decided that it was best if I grew up in my country's soil."
"I completely agree. Growing up in the hills is the best thing childhood needs. Snow,fresh cool air. The view and the handicrafts. Miss them so much."
"Wow,you are quiet the romantic. We have a lot in common",said Parth and they both laughed.
Randhir was looking at them the entire time. Ankit was explaining to him something important but he was hardly paying any attention.
"Can you excuse me Ankit?" requested Randhir and went towards Parth and Sanyukta.
"If you guys are done giggling mind getting back to work?" he said.
The smile on Sanyukta's face vanished immediately and she pretended observing the blueprints.
"We are almost done Randhir. Don't worry",said Parth and smiled.
"Acha? Itna confidence?" asked Randhir.
Parth picked up the plan he and Sanyukta were working on and handed it to him. "See for yourself".
Randhir was taken aback. He looked at the finished product and was at a loss of words.
"It's okay na?" asked Parth.
"Yeah...yeah it seems fine",and saying this he got back with Ankit.
"That guy is really irritating",said Sanyukta after Randhir was gone.
"Why? He seemed okay to me," replied Parth.
"That's because you don't know him that well. He is really irritating and does not respect woman. He pretends to be the only person to work on this project. Ridiculous!"
"Well,id these allegations are true,then I don't know what to say. I hate a man who disrespects woman."
Sanyukta smiled. Finally am man who complimented her thinking and did not treat her like some rubbish. "Its sort of bad that you all will soon be gone. I will terribly miss my brother",lied Sanyukta.
Parth smiled and said, "Promise me you will keep this secret to yourself if I tell you."
"Sure",said Sanyukta.
"Acha listen",Parth whispered. "We will be staying in Delhi for another 3 months. Divergent is working on a construction project here. Nobody knows. Ankit was planning to make this announcement at the inauguration party of the Smart House and surprise you. But please don't tell him that you already know. Just act surprise okay?"
Sanyukta was less surprised and more shocked. She lied to Parth from the bottom of her heart. Maybe she would have missed him but definitely not Ankit. She was counting the days till he was gone. Now he would monitor her for a whole 3 months! And top of all that,the stupid marriage proposal with one of his own. God knows who that jerk would be.Maybe another Ankit material. Or worse...someone like Randhir!
"That's such good news",said Sanyukta with a fake smile.
"I know,he always tells me how much he misses you",smiled Parth.
"Oh i can't imagine",said Sanyukta softly.
Vidushee decided to take a bathroom break. She entered the ladies' room and saw Aditi,her senior fixing her hair. Aditi saw her and smiled.
"Busy lately?" she asked.
"More like tortured",replied Vidushee and washed her face. "If I knew this Smart House thing was such a piece of work,I would have opted out of it if I could."
"Then you wouldn't be able to get closer to Randhir",she smirked.
Vidushee was terrified and looked around. "Relax,the room is empty. Noone is here. I checked",replied Aditi. "Have you made a move on him yet?"
"No",said Vidushee drying her face with a tissue.
"So what? You are just going to see him walk away with someone else? Are you that crazy?"
Vidushee looked at Aditi and smiled. "You know,if there is one thing I have learned from you is that never compromise when it comes to your body",she said.
"What does that mean?" Aditi asked,suddenly interested.
"I found someone else."
"Really? And is it serious?"
"Nothing has happened...YET. But I have a clear shot with this one."
"Tell me about him,do I know him?"
"Not really. He is an architect based in Mumbai."
"Oh yeah. That's right. Divergent has come. I heard the team head is your colleague's big brother. Are you seriously hitting on him?"
"Absolutely not! But yes,he is from Divergent. His name is Parth. Parth Kashyap. Hunky. Tall. Dark. And much better than Randhir."
"Better than Randhir? If Randhir was a little older,I would have tried my hands on him for sure. Who is he, Johnny Depp?"
Vidushee laughed. "Sort of. But he is so much better. Plus,if I hook up with him,I won't be breaking any office policy. I won't be compromising on my job. I can keep him and my job to myself."
"Nice. Nasty! You go girl! So when are you planning on doing it?"
"Soon. I saw how he looks at me,I guess the feeling is mutual. Right after this project is over, I'll make a move on him. I overheard him telling Sanyukta that he will be staying in Delhi for another 3 months. I can make things happen by then."
"You are like three steps ahead of me. Am glad! Don't wait. Just jump!"
Vidushee smiled. "Okay,I've to go. Bye!"
She entered the room and almost bumped into Parth. "Vidushee I was just looking for you",he said.
It was like a blessing from God himself. Vidushee was immediately excited but did not react. "Yeah I am here."
"I desperately need your help."
"Bolo",she said and took a step closer.
"Sanyukta and I lost a copy of that kitchen alarm design. Randhir said you have a spare one. Please can you lend it to us?"
All the excitement faded. A grumpy look replaced her face and she said, "Sure,I have it right here."
She got to her work bench and took out a copy of that design and gave it to him.
"Thank you so much",said Parth.
"You're welcome. And if you need anything else from me,don't hesitate",she said.
Parth smiled and left,completely unable to take a hint.
NOTE: Okay now you guys have to applaud for me. I am really speeding things up aren't I? Comment/criticize/suggest below. And press the 'LIKE' button if you think this chapter deserves it. And for the record,all of you are about to get onto a roller-coaster ride.
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