Delhi

Randhir was made the team captain of the Mars Mission.

If this was Sanyukta from 4 years back, she would have questioned that why this guy was given the chance and not her.

But not now, Now she knows that things require time, she will reach her goal not by causing a ruckus but silently working towards it. Her only mission was to have this satellite land on Mars and nothing else.

Randhir was surprised at her behaviour, he thought that she will fight for the so called injustice that had occurred, but she didn't.

It's been 2 month's, she didn't even try to talk to him.
In the start she used to look at him from the conner of her eyes but she stopped after seeing his closeness with Sanya .

Sanya was his childhood friend a botanical expert.
Her job was to measure the Mars soil, he had recommended her for this job cause he knew that she was the best in the company and he wanted to bring his people on the mission.
So that he will have help to monitor the people who would want to sabotage the mission.

He thought that after seeing his closeness with Sanya, Sanyukta will fight with him.
If not fight, atleast pass snide and oversmart comments like before but there was nothing .

It was as if he don't matter to her at all, she stopped altogether.

Randhir

As Sanyukta and I had the expertise in the same field I was inclined to work on the Mars rover parts more. Their structure, their design and the mechanism.
Rather that the coding data handled by kritika , the soil structure by Sanya, gravitational measurements by Joy and the overall positioning and orbit by Arjun.

Sanyukta only placed the completed files on my desk.  Never talked, asked or questioned me about anything.
If she had any doubts she used to ask Nirman Sir the team head, and if she didn't like anything I suggested again she's used to place her points at the weekly team meetings or directly to Nirmaan.

Even though Nirmaan Sir, did acknowledge my talent.
For him I was not a team member just a leash the sponsors had put on the mission.
So he was not fond of me as well.

He used to give appropriate answers to Sanyukta and she used to follow his orders

Something was missing I don't know what but a spark was missing she had changed or had just acquired a new technique of manipulation.

One day as she came to my cabin to put her file .
She used to always find a time when I was not there, this time I made sure to enter after her she was shocked to see me, but quickly masked it.
As I thought an expert manipulator.

What ? can't I be in my own cabin? I asked her.

Of course you can,
I am sorry SIR. She replied.

She was ready to go I asked.

Aren't you jealous of me ?

The position I hold or who I am close with
Or Is this your new manipulating technique? I smirked

She looked at me in the eye and said
As for the first part of the question I don't have any right on you anymore.

And for the second part you don't have the right, and went from there.

I.........I don't have any right on her, how could she say this after all that happened, after all the things I went through for her.

It's as if she had forgotten it all. And I am the only one stuck in the past..

If she wants this, then so shall it be.

We never talked again after this for a month.
Till the night that changed it all.

---------------------------------------------------------

It had been 4 months since the start of the mission

It was the weekend and Sanyukta had reached Hyderabad to spend time with Dadi and her family.

She was warmly welcomed by the family after Playing for a while with Varun  she went to meet Dadi.

How are you Sanyu, Dadi asked her lovingly.

I am fine Dadi how is your health?

My health is fine but my heart is only content when my children are with me  Dadi replied

Sanykta smiled .

Well Sanyukta there is a surprise Meghna the eldest daughter in law of the Singhania's told her .

What is it Didi . Sanyukta asked

Well it wouldn't be a surprise if I tell you right? You will get it in some time ,don't worry Meghna teased her..

Sanyukta didn't reply just smiled politely.

Sanyukta remained silent for the rest of the night.
The whole family was accustomed to it, they knew that she didn't like to talk much so they were not surprised.

But her old friends would had been surprised rather shocked by her behaviour.

Next day she was indeed surprised to see Aryan during lunch.

Did you like your surprise Meghna asked her and she smiled a little.

Sameer the eldest son and Meher's husband  conversed with Arjun about the ongoing investments they had recently did.

Sanyukta tuned out of the conversation , lost in her own thoughts.

Only talking it someone initiated the conversation.

After lunch she had to go back to ISRC Dadi instructed Aryan to drop her at the airport.

In the car both were silent as they didn't have anything to speak about. At times she was jealous of the chemistry and the comfort Meghana and Sameer share with one another.

She snapped out of the thought as soon as it came to her what is she thinking about she questioned herself.

Just then Aryaan asked.

How is Parth? is his condition stable yet ?

Yes, Sanyukta replied,
Thanks for helping with the doctors
I don't know how I would have handed it alone.

It's fine as long as Parth returns to his daily activities.

You don't need to come to Hyderabad from Delhi every weekend you know. If it's much of an hassle.
My family will understand if you don't.

I know Sanyukta replied.

But I don't come here for some formality I came here cause I like it.

Meghna bhabhi ,Varun,Sameer bhai ,Dadi all treat me well,  I don't want to hurt them.

I didn't meant it in a rude way.  Aryan said trying to clarify himself
I just don't want you to get exhausted .

I didn't think otherwise Sanyukta said,
looking at him..

There was something at that moment , something serene

They didn't Converse much after this.

Aryaan left her at the airport and told her to call him after she reached ISRC .

They never conversed much,
Aryaan was not interested in mindless talks and neither was Sanyukta, they only conversed when something was necessary , but something was changing,
a bit by bit they were dropping into a familiarity.
They had started to like each other's company.

And Both had a small smile on their face without even realising .

It's been a month since Aryaan had been back .

ISRC was same as always, meetings with Randhir were few now,

As he was a supervisor he is only required to visit once in a week to get a follow up.

The pain in my chest had been lessening.
I feel soon he will be just a fragment of my past.

A beautiful memory of my first love.
The anger, the betrayal, the hurt,  the abandonment was still there but its dismisshing with time .

It's alright in fact I am not even saddened by the fact that after 5 months when the mission will end. My contract with IRSC will cease  as well.

As I am making the model. My presence is not constantly required.

If need arises I will be called to consult but not more.

I have been thinking what will I do later.
Shall I complete my masters or find some work .
I had been sitting idle for almost 3 years I don't want to become a moocher again just like before.

Just then my phone rang Aryan was calling,
I rushingly picked it up a bit too excitedly I might add, Kritika was looking at all this with amusement.

Hi, I breathed out.

Hey , are you free right now Aryan asked

Yes I am, infact I am just packing my things for the weekend.

Don't go to Hyderabad he said over the phone.

Why I asked I noticed my voice damping a bit. I was excited to play with Varun.

Nobody is at home Aryan started explaining.
Dadi  has gone to village and Mahira bhabhi took big bro and Varun to her parents house.
And I am coming to Delhi as well.

And if you are free.
Would you like to go out to a party meeting with me today.? He asked as if unsure of my answer.

Sure why not,  where are you right now. I asked him.

Well, I will reach you place in 1 hour
I will pick you up .
Would you like to have dinner with me , he asked

Sure. Let's meet later then,
I was smiling, so much that he must have have felt it through the phone.

Who was He? Kritika asked.

Just an old friend I replied.

Yeah yeah you blush so much while talking to an old friend. She said.

I am not blushing I shot back and looked into the mirror my cheeks were a bit flushed .

You are definitely not
Kritika didn't comment after that ,smug of her reply.

I met Aryan at the gate I was wearing my kurti and jeans.

He was wearing his business coat like always.

Cool look he complimented me as I sat in the car
Don't worry I am not going to the meeting in this attire I will change to my official clothes later as the meeting in at 4 and it's just 12 now
I don't want to ruin them.
I told him.

You can wear whatever you want in the party it's not as if there are restrictions.

Yeah sure I said sarcasticly

We went to a a nice restaurant for lunch and reviewed the meeting amongst us.

I soon changed in the restroom
Aryaan offered to take me to his House or my hostel to change but I knew that doing this will only make us late for the meeting .
I assured him that I was fine and swiftly changed into the pair to clothes I had carried with me.

I quickly wore my black business skirt with my shirt tucked in .
And an over coat over it.

This real life meetings were not like the ones shown in serials and dramas where people are decked as if they are going to someones wedding . And dancing to romantic songs.

This is a real life . Where men and women alike try to promote their business and find links that will be of their advantage.

As this was a casual meeting there were no presentations. Here the collaborations were discussed with wine and smiles. People were wary of the competitors trying to gauge each other's company secrets and try to poach people over to their side