||~Let It Be~|| Sandhir FF/chap13-P54(30/06) - Page 8

"It's a fundraiser. IGate does all this charity work across the country and invite glitterati from the elite' society. It was kind enough of Neha to invite me as her plus one. Boy,I am really nervous!",said Sanyukta.

"I am sure it will go well. And besides they have already approved you. And you have a substantial evidence to support that. It's against the law if they reject you now", said Kaustuki.

Sanyukta smiled. "Thanks Kaustuki. Now that I have a lawyer friend, I can relax about all this legal issues".

"So, the CEO will come to interview you personally?" asked Kaustuki.

"No,only the CMO...uh..Vardhan Shukla".

They were drinking coffee. Kaustuki put her cup down and looked at Sanyukta as soon as she mentioned Vardhan's name. "What happened?"asked Sanyukta.

"Nothing...it's just...do you know him personally...or anything about this Vardhan?"

"Not much,other than the fact that he is super brilliant in his job and believes in perfection. It would be an opportunity to work under him...there is so much you can learn from him".

"Just...just...be careful okay?" said Kaustuki,softly.

"Areey...I know what you are thinking. That he is really strict and that he might fire me if I do anything wrong...right? Don't worry...I'll take care".

Kaustuki smiled faintly and said "Yeah that is what I meant".

They were done drinking coffee and Sanyukta knew that she had to leave by 7pm or else she would be late. "You have to help me pick an outfit. Something different..like professional but not too formal".

"Acha...so let me see your wardrobe",said Kaustuki and Sanyukta led her to her wardrobe.

One thing was absolutely certain,that compared to Sanyukta,Kaustuki was like Sonam Kapoor or Audrey Hepburn. She knew what to wear and how to carry even the most risky outfits. Sanyukta admired her attitude to pull off almost anything,probably that's what all lawyers are like. Kaustuki shuffled among all the traditional Punjabi kurtis and salwars that Sanyukta brought from Shimla. She smiled all the way but Sanyukta knew that deep down,there was a sense of hopelessness in her wardrobe that even Kaustuki knew but could not say it aloud.

"You don't have to pretend to like my clothes just to make me feel better",said Sanyukta and sat down on her bed.

"No no,I really like your clothes,very colourful and bright",said Kaustuki still trying to find a suitable outfit for Sanyukta to wear.

"Kaustuki",began Sanyukta "If we are going to be friends I need you to be completely honest with me. If you can't find a suitable outfit for me then say so".

Kaustuki realized that there was no point going to through the same pile of clothes over and over again. She finally gave up and sat down beside Sanyukta.

"Look,it's not a big deal..not having the perfect wardrobe. But now that you are entering this corporate sector,you need to buy some really professional outfits,something that defines your job and also represents your company. I mean,let's face it,SanCorp is pretty big on its image".

"How do you know that?" asked Sanyukta.

Kaustuki was taken aback and said "I did my research".

"But what do I do know? I have to be there in 2 hours",. Sanyukta was severely depressed. Never in her life had her wardrobe made her depressed. She was always very confident about what she wore and took pride in her Punjabi outlook.

"Um,we can do one thing",suggested Kaustuki. "For tonight,you can wear something from my closet. Tomorrow,I'll take you shopping. I'll handpick all the necessities you need to look like a n engineer,a SanCorp engineer".

Sanyukta was really liking Delhi now. First she got a mentor like Neha who talked her through her first major job,then she had a roommate who completely understood her was starting to become her good friend (would not call it best friend that soon),and next the guy she met the other day in the cafe. Sanyukta still had not forgotten him. She was going to Marriott Hotel tonight and deep down inside her,there was a ray of hope that she would see him there as well. Probably flirting with someone else,even though he claimed that he was not into girls at all. All in all,she was happy,and that what's important in life.

Kaustuki's wardrobe was versatile. It had everything. For every occasion. Kaustuki gave Sanyukta a black skirt,knee-length and a white shirt. To top it all she gave her a light pink jacket. Sanyukta's legs were perfect,according to Kaustuki,so she need not wear stockings. "Leave your hair open,and pear pumps".

Sanyukta looked at the mirror and she could not recognize herself for a moment. She looked like those typical business women on TV or magazines. She never dressed like them before. "It is time that you do",recommended Kaustuki.

"I am so thankful to you for doing this Kaustuki. I truly am",said Sanyukta.

"Hey hey hey",said Kaustuki and stopped her. "In friendships,there are no thank yous and no sorry s".

JW Marriott was aone of those hotels you would dream of entering and experiencing. It was a huge huge HUGE 5 start hotel and the grandeur of it was just overwhelming. The inside was well furnished and the decor was spell-bounding.

The guests arrived and boy,were they looking like elites. All rich and expensive in their gowns and tuxedos. "Don't be intimidated",advised Neha. "These are all just for show. Half of these people could not even afford to spend on such stuff,they all borrow from the boutiques".

Neha was looking fabulous as always. She was wearing a knee-length couture dress.

"When are they going to get here?" asked Sanyukta,drinking her orange mocktail.

"Soon and please don't be worried. This is just an introduction. You'll be faced with bigger challenges once you start working at SanCorp",said Neha. "Now please enjoy the party."

Sanyukta smiled. But she could not. She was really freaking out,. She looked around and everyone seemed to be having a jolly good time. She saw many people writing cheques and dropping them inside a drop-box. But Neha did not. According to her,these funds don't go to charitable organizations like these companies promise.