AGARWAL AUTOMOBILE

Sanyukta walked through the corridor of her father's company, her company. This was her dream, her childhood dream. She smiled recollecting her time as a kid here. Sanyukta had always been a well-behaved child but whenever her father got her here, she used to flip out. Running around the corridor and work floor, checking out the machines. She used to be awestruck watching the workers at the machines. Somehow, she was fascinated by the idea of repairing machines. From the frequent visits here, she became determined to be an engineer, a mechanical engineer.

Sanyukta felt her heartbeat increase as she approached the work area. The muttering of the workers, the sounds of the machines. She became sweaty. Sanyukta loved machines like crazy, it was her passion and now, the very machines have become her biggest phobia. She gulped and lowered her head as she entered the floor area. She was walking as quickly as she could but stopped when she heard a strong baritone, - 'Sanyukta.' She doesn't turn around.

A tall man came and stood beside her, she avoided looking at him. Instead, she stared at his black leather shoes.

'Sanyukta. There is a faulty machine.' He said. Slowly, she looked up at him. She tried focusing on his face rather than look behind him, at the machines.

'You are not an intern anymore, Raghu. You fix it yourself.' She said and turned to look down again. Raghu frowned.

'But you are the MD. If I don't tell you then-'

'Speak with Mr. Agarwal about this.' Sanyukta interrupted. She then took a step to walk when Raghu interrupted her again.

'Okay, I will send you the details. Please, go through them.' He requested her politely. Sanyukta nodded and quickly walked away.

As Sanyukta approached her cabin she almost dashed into Savitha, one of the workers here.

They exchanged greetings and Sanyukta enquired about her work. As she spoke, Sanyukta felt proud. Things weren't this way two years ago. Since the inception of the company no female staff was hired by Mr. Kishore Agarwal, but after the accident, his perspective changed, and he changed the rules of his company. Sanyukta is so proud and happy that her father has finally come out of his regressive mindset. Now, at Agarwal automobiles, there is an equal number of female and male staff. An achievement.

Sanyukta smiled and bid the woman good-bye. The, she turned around facing her cabin. During her fourth year, she had gotten the opportunity to work here in her father's company as an intern. Then, she had been furiously motivated to have her own cabin next to her father's. And today....

Sanyukta extended her hand and touched the black nameplate, her name, Sanyukta Agarwal written in golden letters. It made her proud. She then glanced at her father's cabin which is right next to hers. Finally, her dream has come alive. But at what cost? Sanyukta lowered her head and bit her lip.

Why do you always think of the past, Sanyukta? Move on- She reminded herself. Taking a deep breath, Sanyukta pushed the glass door and entered the cabin.

Sanyukta sat at her desk and tapped her fingers on the table. She recollected the days when her father used to scold her for having an opinion and today, her opinion is always considered before any deals, buying new machines and many other important decisions of the company. She remembered how after her mother's death, Kishore forced her to give up her stakes in the company. Now, she has more. Everything is just like how she had wanted, she had dreamt. But there is an emptiness, a loneliness. For Sanyukta career was the most important thing. But now, after he left her, she realized there are things which are equally important as well. Sanyukta closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

Focus, Sanyukta - She motivated herself again and got to work.

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KNOCK, KNOCK

'Come in.' Sanyukta replied not looking up from her laptop.

'Oh ji. Hello!'

Sanyukta looked away from the screen, her fingers still hovering over the keyboard. A smile appeared on her lips. And why not, whenever Yoyo comes, a smile follows.

'Yoyo!' She exclaimed looking at her friend. She noticed he held a box of sweets. Yoyo nodded and walked up to her table.

'I am sorry to disturb you, Sanyuktaji.' He said lowering his head.

'Arey, Nahin. You can never disturb me.' Sanyukta turned her chair and faced him. She gestured him to sit but he refused. 'What brings you here, Yoyo?' Sanyukta asked as she rested her folded arms on the table.

Yoyo blushed. 'Oh ji, Ester's parents finally agreed.' He replied rubbing the back of his neck. Sanyukta's jaw dropped open albeit the smile remained.

'What? Wow! So, now?' Sanyukta asked brightly. Yoyo blushed harder.

'Marriage, what else?' He replied avoiding her gaze. Sanyukta felt so happy for her friend. He looked up and forwarded her box of sweets and a card. 'Invite to my engagement, this weekend.' He said and then added as an afterthought, - 'You will come?'

Sanyukta flipped open the Burgundy invite, looked at it briefly before looking up at her friend. She nodded. 'Of course.' She replied brightly. Yoyo looked immensely happy. Sanyukta then insisted he sit for a while and he couldn't refuse. As he sat, Sanyukta called a peon through the landline and ordered tea and some biscuits.

After engineering and DT competition, Yoyo decided to not join his father on the farm instead he chose an ambitious project. He and his friends used up their savings and started a small Dhabba type business which grew over the years and now after two years it is a well-established three-star restaurant. Yoyo is a good businessman.

Soon, Tea arrived, and the two friends chatted enjoying the snacks and tea.

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Later in the night, after Dinner Sanyukta freshened up and changed into her night clothes. As she passed by her study table she noticed the invite. A small smile appeared on her lips. She walked up to the table and picked up the card. Things have changed so much over the years. In their first year, Sanyukta could not have imagined being friendly with Yoyo, forget attending his engagement. And her friend, Kaustuki? Yoyo had such a huge crush on her. Sanyukta smiled shaking her head. Kaustuki was such a confused soul.

She misses her too. Sanyukta had tried reaching out to Kaustuki, she had left FITE because her mother was unwell but eventually lost contact. She sighed sadly and placed the card back on the table.

Why do people leave me? Her mother, Kaustuki, Randhir - Sanyukta wondered. Just then her eyes fell on a photo frame. A recent photo of her and her father, both in a business suit and they held a trophy. Their company had won an award. Sanyukta picked up the photo frame and caressed her father's face with her thumb. The accident took a lot from her, but it also gave her, her father's love and support. Something she had craved all her life. On the bright side, at least she has her father with her, she doesn't need anyone else. Sanyukta felt slightly better with the thought....

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So, guys? How was the Chapter? Drop in your thoughts *smiles*

Precap: 'Wake up, Randhir.' A sweet female voice called. Randhir smiled in his sleep.

'Hmmm...' He replied groggily and stirred on his bed.

'Uff ho! Don't you want to go to work?' She sounded annoyed and this made Randhir's smile widened. He shook his head, his eyes still closed.

'No!' He responded and buried his face in the pillow. He heard her sigh.

And....