Chapter 5
Sanyukta couldn't help gaping at the sight, as she realised how he had not changed even a bit in all these years.
Flashback-
Randhir had just taken to his bed, when he heard the beep of his mobile phone. Who could it be calling this late' he wondered as he checked the message.
Please meet me in the common room. Its urgent.' read Sanyukta's message.
Randhir shook his head and typed his reply, Is it something that can't wait until tomorrow?'
Its urgent I told you.' came the reply.
Randhir got up from his bed and walked upto the common room in disgust. This better be something seriously serious Sanyukta. Otherwise you are so dead today.' he muttered.
In the common room, Sanyukta was sitting with her laptop and a set of papers. She was fumbling between the laptop screen and the papers. She heard someone entering the room and looked upto Randhir, What took you so long? I have been waiting for you for like donkey years now.'
Randhir looked at her in disbelief, What are you doing with all this in the middle of the night? Has the work load got on to you. Seems like, you have lost it.'
Stop over-reacting RANDHIR, it doesn't suit you. You look like some C grade movies hero. Just sit down and look at this. I am sure all your sleep for the night will vanish.' Sanyukta signalled Randhir to go through the screen on her laptop.
Are you kidding me? There is this competition of such repute, going to happen and you mean to say that Professor Vardhan missed out on this. Very unlike him.' Randhir now took the laptop in his hands and read through the entire website that detailed each and every intricacy related to the competition.
Listen, we need to first submit our entries along with our responses to the preliminary quiz which is a qualifying round. We can talk to Professor Vardhan tomorrow morning, but by then the deadline would be over. We need to immediately submit our names. Before that we will need to solve these 10 questions and make sure that we submit the correct answers.' Sanyukta went on as she saw Randhir pick up the papers on the table and scribble something on them.
Are you listening to me. I mean we need to start working immediately.' Sanyukta held Randhir's shoulder and shook it as if she were in deep panic.
Stop ranting, you silly girl. I have already started working on the quiz questions. Look, I already have solved the first question. So if you please shut up and not disturb me, it'll be a favour to both of us.' Randhir said, immersing himslef back into the sheets of papers where he was scribbling calculations by now.
What you mean by don't disturb you. We are together a team right, I want to give my own inputs.' She tried snatching the papers from him.
Are you mad. Do you want to submit this entry on time or not. You will take ages to complete this. Let me handle it alone.' Randhir said, irritation evident in his tone now.
Its a two member team they have asked for. And you can't just take away all the credit all alone.' Sanyukta said in a very high pitch.
Ok! Ok! Take these 2 questions and sit in the corner of the desk. DO NOT DISTURB ME. Otherwise you will never see the dawn of this competition.' Randhir bellowed.
Sanyukta took the sheets of paper, looked at Randhir grudgingly, What does he think of himself? Hmmm... wants to take all the credit by himself. Let me solve these two questions first and then I'll take him on.' Sanyukta thought to herself.
Ok. Once I am done you can have a look at all the answers. But for now don't stand on my head and let me concerntrate.' Randhir said without raising his head. Sanyukta was perplexed at what he said, she bowed down to him, How do you know what I was thinking?' she whispered in an extremely guarded tone.
This time Randhir did bother to look upto her, Having worked with you... or rather should I say having borne you for the past 6 months, I can definitely predict this much about you. Isn't it?' He was grinning for a change while Sanyukta made an owl face and shifted to the other end to work on her questions.
It was 4 in morning by time Randhir had solved all the questions and for his word sake he thought he would let Sanyukta review them. He was surprised to see that Sanyukta on the other hand had herself solved all the questions.
Lets compare our answers' Sanyukta said.
There is no need for comparison. Ofcourse my answers are correct.' Randhir shot back.
Listen. Whats the harm in checking once.' Sanyukta commanded.
OK! Go ahead. I am going off to sleep. Any which ways, my answers are correct so don't change them with your answers.' Randhir said while leaving the common room.
Sanyukta hadn't been listening as she was busy with the answers already. Randhir! Wait a minute.' She called out.
What now?' Randhir turned back irritated.
You havn't taken into account the impact of gravitational force in the 4th question. That's why your answer's incorrect.' Sanyukta extended a sheet of paper out to Randhir.
What the hell are you talking about?' Randhir snatched the paper and started reading through it. In a minutes time his shoulders were drooping down. It was his turn to frown now. You are right, your answer's correct.' Sanyukta took a sigh of relief and before she could say something Randhir pounced on the laptop, Ok! You win! Lets check all the answers once again.'
Sanyukta smirked in her head without daring to make it evident to Randhir. Such a Chauvinist!' she thought as she saw Randhir back at work, busy comparing the problem workings and the solutions. I am only putting up with him because that way my chances of fulfilling my dream with flying colors are maximum. And other than his self obsessed chauvinistic ways, he is quite a non interfering team partner to have. So i should just stay put. It is the ends that matter and not the means.' Sanyukta thought to herself.
-------------------------
Sanyukta!' Randhir called out. Sanyukta! Are you listening' he shouted a little louder. Mr. Naik wants to see us in his cubicle with the work plan. You ought to tag along.' It was already 4 days of working together' and they had hardly interacted. Randhir had come to terms with the situation and kept his calm even as Sanyukta maintained an awkward ice between them.
At times he did feel quite frustrated, but then held on to his anxiety. What hurt him most was that the girl who had once insisted on being pragmatic and working together for common good was unable to look beyond her personal issues and reservations relating to him. He had already figured that if they continued to work like this, they would be heading nowhere. It was just a matter of time when he would have to do something about it.
Sanyukta stood up to follow Randhir to the Mr. Naik's cubicle. Mr. Naik looked through the workplan and made some notes. It is good and comprehensive. But Sanyukta you seem to have overlooked certain aspects that are integral to our work systems.' Mr. Naik said encircling certain parts on the work plan sheet.
Oh yes! Randhir I had given you these inputs.' She looked towards Randhir, who was looking back at her clueless raising both his arms, hands in a questioning gesture.
Sanyukta! You mean to say that you were not working with Randhir on this?' Mr. Naik asked in a stern voice. Sanyukta looked around to think of an excuse in her defence, Its just that... I thought I'll start work on the next phase, so that we don't waste time. So I gave my inputs to Randhir so that he could...' she stuttered.
Randhir, its already closing hours now. I guess that should be enough for the day. I'll see you tomorrow morning. Gud day.' Mr. Naik's, tone made it very clear to Randhir that he wanted to have a word with Sanyukta alone. Thanks for being this considerate sir. Good evening.' Randhir said as he rose from his chair to leave and shot a short glance at Sanyukta who was evidently extremely fidgety by now.
Listen Sanyukta! Since the very first day of your meeting Randhir that day in our office, I could make out that all has not been well or neutral between you and Randhir. I don't know and I don't care about what was there in the past. But I do know that you cannot jeopardise the progress of this project because of your personal issues.' Sanyukta looked up at her boss in shock and made a failed attempt to speak up and justify herself, but was cut off again. From tomorrow onwards, I want that Sanyukta back, for whom her work is of utmost importance. Mr. Naik commanded. Incase there is anything else I can help with do let me know.' He added in a more considerate and softened tone this time.
Sanyukta nodded; her eyes lowered in guilt, she rose to leave Mr. Naik's cubicle.
Tell me how it was ?
Real Estate
71