CHAPTER 57: the gathering 2.0

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LYKA'S POV:

hours turned into days and days turned into weeks. It had already been 3 weeks since I started working here as an intern. The design studio was full of creative vibes, and the tension between Sathya and me made things a bit complicated. Daksh, my office buddy, was my go-to person, helping me navigate through the ups and downs of work. Our shared laughter during lunch breaks turned the office into a friendly place.

One day, I was very deeply involved in trying to figure out the designs for our project at hand when I saw sathya approaching me. He didn't have his usual cool demeanor. He rather looked nervous and his shoulders were stiff. He slowly approached my table and asked.

SATHYA: Hey, you busy?

LYKA: umm, not much. Anything important?

SATHYA: umm, so the thing is, there's this designer event which I have to attend and I need a plus one for that. And I think, it would be really good if you accompany me and be my date for tomorrow. What do you say?

I was surprised. I looked up and saw his face, memories of our past playing at the back of my brain. The awkwardness between us became more noticeable. Despite the professional setting, Sathya's gaze seemed to say something deeper.

LYKA: A designer's gathering? Why me?

SATHYA: It's a work thing, and having you there as a talented intern is valuable. It's a chance to meet people and learn.

LYKA: Sounds fair enough. Why me, tho?

SATHYA: *smirking* I just need a person who knows me and my designs well, and I don't think anyone else is better than you in this perspective. Also, you're brain is fresh and new ideas is something that's really needed these days. It would be good for you to attend and show case your fresh ideas for designs and I would get a plus one too. see, win-win situation.

His cheeky grin and the way he said 'my talented intern' brought back memories of a time when things were fine between us. We both had such a great bond with each other and things seemed so cool back then. It felt as if I had met my happily ever after, but you see, destiny always has different plans.

LYKA: Alright, I'll go. But this is strictly professional, Sathya.

SATHYA: Of course, strictly professional. I'll pick you up at 6?

LYKA: yeah sure.

SATHYA: ok then, thanks for accompanying me.

As I agreed to be his date, a mix of excitement and nervousness filled me. I was really scared of the thought that I won't be impressive enough tomorrow at the event and might make a fool out of myself. After all, I was just an intern and didn't have much experience in this field. But this was a great opportunity for me to mingle with everyone in the design field and there's no way I could let go of it.

LYKA: come on girl, you can do it!

TIME SKIP

NEXT EVENING

I was all ready in my outfit which was a perfect combination of elegant, simple and bold. Though I was hella nervous, I was trying my best to stay calm and composed and carry myself like a queen that I am. As I was getting ready, all the old moments cascading in front of my eyes from the box of memory that I had tried to shut it down at the deepest part of my brain. But as they say, not everything happens the way you want it to.

I was checking myself for the last time in the mirror when my pinged indicating that I have a message. Yeah, it was him. That is when I realized that he still had my no. but never made an effort to contact me. I felt a slight pang in my heart, but this is how I wanted it when I was away.

LYKA: cool down lyka. Now is not the time for all of this.

I glanced at myself through the mirror for one last time and made my way towards the entrance only to find him leaning against his car, doing something on his phone. He looked ravishingly hot in that three piece tailored suit. His body might've lost weight, but he hadn't lost his charm.

I walked towards him and cleared my throat to indicate my presence. He lifted his face only to stare at me continuously without even blinking.

LYKA: staring for so long isn't considered a gentlemanly behaviour, sir.

SATHYA: ahem, I-I wasn't staring. I was just analyzing your outfit.

LYKA: yeah sure, should we leave, sir?

SATHYA: ughh yeah, but before that,

He went to the other side of the car and came back with a beautiful bouquet of flowers. Ok, the past is definately repeating itself.

SATHYA: giving flowers to a beautiful lady is surely a gentlemanly behaviour, no arguments here miss sinha.

I just nodded at him not wanting to continue this conversation anymore and left for the event.

We entered the venue and gained many curious glances towards us. Their looks were making me nervous and I could feel my body shivering. That is when I felt someone's hand on the lower of the back. Or should I say, his hand.

SATHYA: calm down lyka, you'll do great. Just the way you did in the past.

I just gulped and nodded.

Sathya introduced me to important figures, highlighting my role as a talented intern. Our exchanged glances held unspoken words, a silent conversation that only we understood.

Amidst designers, near a beautiful fabric display, colors and patterns combined into a visual symphony. Sathya's eyes beamed with pride as he talked about our ongoing projects.

SATHYA: You're doing great, Lyka. Glad you agreed to come tonight.

LYKA: It's a great experience. Thanks for the opportunity.

As we explored displays and chatted, a sense of deja vu lingered. The setting, the vibe, even the way Sathya smiled-it all felt familiar, like the author's gathering we attended in the past.

Subtle memories of our shared history surfaced, creating a nostalgic feeling. The present moment seemed to blend with a memory from our tangled past. The deja vu made our connection more complex, blurring the lines between then and now.

Later in the evening, Sathya and I found ourselves in a quieter spot. The atmosphere had a mix of professional and personal energy. The shadows of our history lingered, and unspoken words hung in the air.

SATHYA: you remember the author's gathering?

LYKA: *chuckle* ofcourse I do. The way you claimed to be my boyfriend to save me from that guy.

SATHYA: *giggle* Well, that was fair tho. He didn't trouble you after that.

LYKA: *chuckle* true that.

The environment was filled with a calm silence. I knew he was staring at me but I chose to not address it. Everything was going fine until now and I didn't want to ruin it. I was trying my best to avoid emotions from clouding my mind when he suddenly spoke.

SATHYA: Lyka, we agreed to keep things professional, but I can't ignore the chemistry between us-both creatively and personally.

His gaze locked onto mine, and time seemed to slow down. The deja vu grew stronger, as if history was repeating itself in a different setting. The air filled with the unresolved tension from our past.

LYKA: Sathya, our history is complicated. Tonight is about celebrating achievements in the design world. Let's keep it at that.

Though he didn't want to, Sathya nodded, understanding and acceptance in his eyes. We mingled more, exchanged ideas, and soaked in the creative energy.

As the night ended, the lingering connection between Sathya and me was hard to ignore. The designer's gathering turned out to be an unexpected journey, full of professional growth and a reminder of the complexities in our relationship.

Leaving the venue, I felt stuck between the past and the present, a delicate dance echoed in deja vu moments. The journey of Queen Lyka continued, promising both challenges and opportunities on the path to success.

Deja vu lingered like a gentle whisper, reminding us that some connections go beyond time and space. The night wasn't just about celebrating professional achievements; it also rekindled the intricate threads connecting Sathya and me across different moments in time.

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END OF THE CHAPTER~~!!

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