"The best performer of the year award goes to... Sanyukta Agarwal !!!!" and the hall broke into loud applause.
"Let me introduce you to my engineering prodigy" said Mr. Naik, Head of Designs, introducing Sanyukta to his counterparts in other departments at the post awards dinner party at Sumuzi Automobiles Pvt. Lt. (SAPL).
"I must say, that she is the best performing engineer in the Design's department in the history of SAPL. I have been here for last 20 years, and never have I seen such a deadly combination of Beauty with Brains" Mr. Naik was beaming with pride.
"Tell me Sanyukta, how it feels to be the best? Because as far as I know, you were the unanimous choice for this award this year, something that has not happened for a long time in the history of SAPL." said Mr. Bhall,a Head of Operations at SAPL.
Sanyukta just bowed down a little in acknowledgement of all the eulogy that was being rendered out to her. Just then something hit her mind and she felt a twinge in her heart. She excused herself from the group and turned towards the drinks counter.
"Tell me Sanyukta, how it feels to be the best?" the question reverberated in her mind. Suddenly the smile vanished from her lips, a glimpse of him from a long time ago flashed in her mind, she felt a lump in her throat and involuntarily her heart roared, "No Sanyukta! You are not the best."
"But Gosh! From where did he come? Why suddenly, am I missing him so much today?" Sanyukta flustered at this unlikely event, and for the rest of the evening she fought with her inner voice, faking smiles to the crowd which was eager to praise with all their might.
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"Look Mr. Nottigham, we have done our homework well. Now it is up to you to take it or leave it. But I can assure you of one thing. No one in the industry can provide you with exhaustive design solutions like us."
Confidence exhumed to such degree from the young man making the business proposition from across the table that Mr. Nottigham gave in to the deal. With almost 25 years in the industry, Mr. Nottigham knew he was paying a premium but the same years in the industry also told him that he was getting a premium on talent in return.
"Yes! We did it again!" he exclaimed as he swivelled on his chair.
"We! Did he just say we?" the middle-aged lady couldn't hold back her joy. "It's you who has done it son. You're a genius." she said not being able to contain her delight.
Suddenly his face bore a flat expression. He sighed heavily and said, "Look Miss. Sanyal, I joined you because it was a win win proposition for both of us. You needed to launch your Design Research Consultancy and I have always wanted to work in this area. That's it and nothing more. It was completely a professional decision. Thus I will appreciate if you don't bring in any personal references between the two of us." He couldn't get himself to look straight into his mother's eyes, but blurted out his displeasure at being called out son' by his once estranged mother.
Miss Sanyal nodded quietly; she wanted to say something but thought it better to remain silent for the time being. Nevertheless she couldn't stop feeling happy for her brilliant son's professional achievements. He had just cracked a million dollar deal with their first international client.
"Hmmm...But tell me one thing Randhir, you've always been the best, right? I mean I am sure that with your brilliance you have never had anyone to really compete with around you?"
"Not really." He replied with a faint smile, as he sulked in his chair thinking about her.
"All this looks just too easy and shallow without you being there to challenge me all the time. We were better than best when we were together. But alas! Your stupid focus v/s distraction logic. I am sure you're doing well for yourselves, Sanyukta!" Randhir's heart and soul lamented in unison.
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