Sandhir FF ~ The Long Route to Love //Chapter 13 Pg-50// - Page 16

Chapter - 7

Randhir lay in his bed, an angelic smile smothered on his face. His eyes lit bright like two shining stars as he spooled back the incidents of the evening just passed by. He lifted his hand and brushed it across his shoulder and the hollow of his neck, re-living the moment when Sanyukta had leant over him. He shuddered at the thought of her crying in distress and how he had been the reason for her abnormal behaviour over the past week. Suddenly the memories of the past overtook him and he found himself stifled with a sense of grief.

Sanyukta! You have always been like this, trying to take control of the situation single-handedly. Earlier also you took a call for yourself and in the process trimmed me off your life and even now you formed your own perception and created this completely un-called for unpleasantness throughout the week. How shall I make you believe that talking always helps. It helps to share problems with friends.'

Randhir chuckled to himself as he repeated the last sentence in a whisper. He was amazed how he had come to vouch by the same words which Sanyukta had said to him a couple of years back.

But no Sanyukta! This time I will not let you go away from me. Or rather, I will not let you distance me away from you. I am your friend, and will stick by you through thick and thin', Randhir resolved to himself and closed his eyes to give himself a good night's sleep before heading for another hectic working day.

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Next day, Mr. Naik summoned Randhir and Sanyukta before close of working hours for a quick update on the project. Both of them chirped into his cubicle with bright smiles across their face. Mr. Naik looked at them in amazement.

Seems like the weather conditions in the Design Works department have gone through a re-vamp over night.' he said with a grin.

Both of them looked at each other stealthily and returned a broad smile to Mr. Naik. Sanyukta took the lead, I am extremely sorry Boss, for my unprofessional behaviour. You will not see a repeat of the same ever.' she said confidently as Randhir nodded his head looking approvingly at Sanyukta.

Good! That's what I expect from my top performer.' MR. Naik said as he dug himself into the reports that Randhir had just passed on to him.

But Sanyukta have you checked the shopfloor layouts. As per the design recommendations made by you, the layout will need drastic changes. This will mean increase in cost, which may not go down well with the steering committee.' Mr. Naik pointed out as he removed his spectacles and placed them on the table.

Randhir immediately pounced to take hold of the report that Mr. Naik had just gone through. But Sanyukta dear, you did not attach the layout changes recommendation report in this bunch.'

As soon as Randhir completed his statement, he saw Sanyukta looking at him with both her eyebrows raised. What? Did I forget to give you the print out. Oh, am sorry Yaar, I'll just get it from my table.' Randhir rushed out of the cubicle and returned in no time with a print out of the recommended machine layout modifications.

Randhir noticed Mr. Naik smirking while Sanyukta was frowning as he handed out the report. Hmmm! Give me some time to go through these reports and get back to you with my feedback.' Mr. Naik was still smiling mockingly as Sanyukta gazed disapprovingly at Randhir and Randhir returned that gaze with confused expression.

Both of them continued to look at each other for a while until Mr. Naik coughed lightly and indicated to them to leave.

Sanyukta dashed out of her Boss's cubicle as Randhir followed her to their work desks. Sanyukta threw her work folder on her table with a force just enough to let Randhir know that she was annoyed at something.

Arre what happened? When we went in there you seemed quite alright. The review meeting was also good, then why are you upset?' Randhir was super confused at what had turned Sanyukta into a Drama Queen suddenly.

But Sanyukta dear!!! And what did you say after that? Oh, am sorry Yaar !!! What gives you this confidence Mr. Rnadhir Singh Shekhawat that you addressed me with such informality that too infront of my Boss.' Sanyukta said in a complaining tone.

Randhir looked back at her in disbelief. Thinking over again he realised that Sanyukta may not be ready to take such behaviour in office. Suddenly he was sulking, Sorry! I won't repeat it. I just got carried away. I've been on cloud nine since yesterday, since I realised that I've got my friend back.'

Sanyukta looked back at him thoughtfully. She saw not a successful professional who had proven himself in his field of work across various platforms. What she saw instead was an innocent boy who had been deprived of a toy for long and was rejoicing on being given that very same toy after a long time.

Hey Sanyukta! Why are you staring at me like that? I said I am sorry' Sanyukta shuddered out of her reverie and sadness crept into her heart. Nevertheless she successfully kept that sadness from becoming evident to Randhir and replied to him in a commanding tone, Its ok! Be carefull next time.' and with this broke into a smile.

She had just begun to sort out her papers to proceed to work, when Randhir called out, So you want me to be extremely formal with you while in public, right?' He posed as if he was working on his desktop and this question suddenly cropped up his mind which he threw at her very mindlessly. While in reality, his heart was pounding in anticipation of the response to the question which he was about to ask next.

Yes. Atleast we should maintain the sanctity of the professional relation we share in this office. Projecting ourselves as friends may lead to a lot of raised eyebrows from corporate ethics point of view, you know.' Sanyukta said in a very matter-of-fact tone as she took her seat.

Hmmm. So what should I address you as? Miss Sanyukta' he took a pause to hold his breath, Or, Mrs. Sanyukta' he let the words go off his mouth looking very intently at Sanyukta.

Suddenly Sanyukta lifted her eyes to meet his. She saw the intent and understood it too, but did not want to let go off that easily. She twisted her lips towards just one side to flash a wicked half smile and said, We work on a first name basis here, Randhir.' She took a pause to gauge his reactions and then added, Sanyukta, should do just fine.' and got back to working.

Randhir sighed hopelessly as he shook his head when he heard her voice, By the way, it still is Miss Sanyukta Agarwal.' she said this with a sarcastic surety which only made it evident to him that she had understood his real intent of throwing this googly at her, which she had responded to with a six.