Chapter 8: chapter 8

Prithviraj summoned Sanyogita to his office, his deep voice firm but controlled. "May I come in, Sir?" Sanyogita requested, her tone professional, as she hovered at the threshold."Yes," Prithviraj said, allowing it while keeping his eyes on the papers strewn all over his mahogany desk. His brow furrowed in profound attention as he scribbled notes in the margin, oblivious to Sanyogita's presence.Sanyogita's eyes narrowed slightly as she stepped inside, moreover her irritation growing with each passing moment. She cleared her throat discreetly, but Prithviraj didn't flinch, his focus solely on the documents before him.Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Prithvi raised his gaze and looked at her . As He leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled together. "Toh, Miss Sanyogita," he began; he let out a sigh of measure, his voice low and deliberate."Yes, Sir?" Sanyogita replied, her tone crisp but her eyes never leaving his face.Prithvi's expression turned pragmatic as he shared the news, "You'll be delighted to know that the company we're collaborating with on our project has expressed a keen interest in your designs."Sanyogita's eyes grew wider with astonishment , while her lips curled with a beautiful smile . "Thank you, Sir, even words may be few to express my emotions right now " she replied, her voice laced with gratitude.Prithvi nodded but nothing significant showed up in his gesture "As you know, your designs have been selected for the project, and the company representatives would like to meet you in person. They're planning to visit the shopping mall on Fashion Exhibition Day."Sanyogita's gaze remained fixed on her Boss while her expression remained attentive. "Okay, Sir," she acknowledged, her tone measured.Prithvi leaned forward, his voice taking on a hint of advice. "It would be wise to prepare your design portfolio and dress accordingly for the exhibition. It's an excellent opportunity to showcase your talent, Miss Sharma "Sanyogita's response was calm and assertive, "Okay, Sir. Thank you once again." Her voice exuded confidence, and a subtle smile played on her lips; beneath the surface, she tried her best to hold back newly built-up excitement .*******"" Sanyogita's fate kept shining as the days passed, drawing the attention of her colleagues with her talent and dedication to her hard work towards her job . Prithvi, too, couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and admiration for Sanyogita's accomplishments. But to control his professional composure. Even though he was busy at the workplace he would find himself sneaking glances at her in between office hours, his eyes attracted to her radiant smile and shining eyes as she worked intently.But under the golden aura of Sanyogita's triumph, a more sinister emotion raged in Trisha's heart. Jealousy, once but a smoldering coal, now blazed into a hot and ravenous fire, fanned by her own supposedly wounded pride and hurts. Her eyes would slash into thin lines as she gazed upon Sanyogita as she baked under the limelight, her brain full of plots and resentments."It's all your fault, Sanyogita," Trisha would grumble to herself, her jaws clenched in anger. "All the opportunities that fall my way seem to elude me, all because of your persistent meddling and plotting. But I won't let it go on. I'll find a way to stop you somehow.”Trisha was looking for an opportunity to trap Sanyogita in trouble; one day, in the office staff room, nobody was there, and Trisha entered the room furtively. She had found some documents on the desk of Sanyogita, She was looking here and there. She had taken those papers suddenly and she had heard some footsteps, she assumed that someone was coming. Trisha hid the papers under her desk in a hurry and left the room.The next day in the office, Sanyogita looked very tense. She couldn't find documents which were necessary for the presentation which would be represented by her. Everyone entered the meeting room, except Sanyogita, who had become restless. If her boss came to know about her inadvertently, he would definitely scold her as the presentation was very essential for today's meeting.Prithvi was looking for Sanyogita here and there. Finally, Sanyogita got the courage to face the worst. Abruptly on the way to the conference room, Sanyogita was encountered by Arjun.“Mam, this is all the documents which I had taken yesterday.Sanyogita was relieved, but at the same time, she insinuated to Arjun,” Why didn't you inform me about this before?”Arjun apologized to her “Sorry Mam, I have done this because of the instructions given by the boss who was in a hurry the previous day .”Sanyogita didn't speak further but she became angry at Prithvi. She was thinking in her mind how he could do such worrying things to her. She entered the meeting room. Trisha was shocked about seeing Sanyogita with such documents. Sanyogita at first took pardon from everyone and after that started the meeting.The meeting ended very beautifully. Prithvi again called Sanyogita into his office chamber.“Congratulations Miss. Sanyogita” greeted by Prithvi “I was highly impressed by your talent. Though everyone greets me for these I know from my heart these are all possible just because of only you”Sanyogita was looking at Prithvi with a gasp in her mouth“You performed very smoothly during the presentation” praised PrithviSanyogita then registered the incident when Arjun gave her back the documents. “Sir, if you needed those papers, then why didn't you inform me about that?’’ asked Sanyogita. “You know how much I panicked about those; I was feeling like.Prithvi interrupted her, “You don't think so. It was only your duty to meet with me when you did not find out the documents. It is your responsibility to be careful about yourself”.Sanyogita stood in silence .“I am your boss and you are my Assistant so you should inform me or contact with in case of worry, understand “scolded Prithvi“Okay, Sir.” Sanyogita said Trisha couldn't understand how things had happened, so she thought back to the incident. “She took the documents. Suddenly, she heard some footsteps. She hid the documents under her desk in a rush, and afterward, she left the room. As yesterday she had an urgent call so she had to leave the office quickly. Later, she forgot about that; maybe Sanyogita collected those after she left. Trisha cursed herself. “How could I make such a mistake? Now, I will not give you any chance Sanyogita ?’’Laughter and chatter filled the corner of the staff room yet Sanyogita kept herself occupied with work, her fingers dancing , waving gorgeous designs on empty Canvas of the pages .Suddenly, her phone buzzed with an incoming call , shrill in the silence. She excused herself, seeking refuge on the balcony to answer the call. The cool breeze whipped her hair into a frenzy as she stood there, her voice hushed.Returning to her seat, Sanyogita's heart sank like a stone. Her design, once a masterpiece, now lay in tatters, marred by a careless splash of coffee or some other mysterious liquid. Panic set in, her mind racing with the looming deadline. Tomorrow was the last day to submit her work to the boss.Just then, Molly, a colleague, appeared at her side, concerned etched on her face. "Sanyogita, what happened? Tomorrow's the final submission day, and...and this?" Molly's voice trailed off, her eyes wide with surprise.Sanyogita's voice was barely audible, her response a mere whisper. "I don't know..." She stood frozen, her eyes fixed on the ruined design, her mind reeling in shock.Molly's expression turned sympathetic. "You should talk to the Boss about this. I'm sure he'll help you out." She placed a reassuring hand on Sanyogita's shoulder.Sanyogita's gaze drifted to Molly's face, her eyes searching for reassurance. Molly's words were laced with conviction. "Trust me, Sanyo, it's been five months, and the Boss has always been helpful whenever we needed him. He's not arrogant or rude, I promise."Sanyogita paused and pursed her lips in doubt. Despite her best efforts, it appeared that fate was working against her in avoiding Prithvi's office. She eventually gave in, her voice tinged with resignation. "Okay, I will," she said.  Sanyogita stepped into Prithviraj's office, her heart racing with hesitation. She recounted the events while speaking, her voice trembling slightly . But Mr. Malhotra listened intently, his expression unreadable. After she finished, he exhaled a deep sigh, his shoulders sagging in relief."How did this happen?" Prithviraj asked, his voice firm but controlled.Sanyogita's response was barely above a whisper. "I don't know, Sir." A hint of nervousness crept into her tone, her eyes darting downward.Prithviraj's expression turned stern, his voice rising in frustration. "Why don't you know? Why do these things always happen to you, Miss Sanyogita Sharma? It's always something with you, only you. Why aren't you more careful? Why must I constantly overlook your negligence?"His words hung in the air harmonising with rising tension building between them. Sanyogita's eyes widened while her face was flush with embarrassment as she struggled to respond to Boss' outburst.Sanyogita remains quiet, keeping her eyes on the floor  " I'm sorry Sir . This will not repeat next time" " 24 & 7 hours all I have to listen to sorry Sir.. this won't repeat from next .. I didn't know Sir.. ..etc etc etc disgusting!!! "" Prithvi gritted his teeth and added out of frustration " Miss Sharma why didn't you tell us you aren't comfortable with this job ? If you want you can..Sanyogita shivered. Her heart was pounding, anticipating if she had to be fired from her job .. she caught her boss on the way talking " No Sir.. the things aren't like that at all"Prithvi barked " Then what's?? Do you have any answers for your blunder?? " " Sir, I already told you I don't do this ? And I don't know how these things happen??"" Then who did this damage?? Did ghosts come and destroy all those designed sketches?? "" Although Prithvi added the last line in sarcasm, he was getting annoyed by her repeated mistakes. Sanyogita stood there with a bowed head  .She was angry with her Boss and thought perhaps he was taking revenge for their past encounter.But what would do then ?? How would she prove her innocence ?? More than that, if she had to resign her job, what would she do further? How she would take care of the expenditure of her only family, her mother.and also how she would get the money for the treatment of her nephew, Ariyan. She had left the previous two companies because her senior Boss wanted to sleep with her and she told them she didn't sell her body for money.  Although she was an ambitious girl, she didn't want any sort of lift, which raised questions about her dignity. After a moment of long lectures his anger calmed down. He looked at her, studied then took deep breaths before speaking ."  I 'll give you only one day . ”Sanyogita raised her face to gaze at her Boss .  A relieved smile crept in the outer corner of her lips as getting another opportunity  . “Thank you, Sir, Thank you, thank you so much, Sir,”  She was almost saying on the verge of gratitude. Prithvi notices her muttering something with a smile so he raises his left eyebrow" Miss Sharma, I don't care about your thank you . Throw your thank you in a dustbin. I want results. And I didn't do your promotion, so there wasn't a need to be happy. It is your last chance. Understand "Prithvi was boiling deep down. He didn't tolerate even a tiny mistake or negligence related to work. Sanyogita bowed down head and nodded once,,  " Ye,s, Sir."  She turned around on her heels and was about to take a step towards the door  then heard “Miss. Sharma, it will be better if you care about your task. Along with that, you should be very alert around your surroundings; I will not always come to save you.” Prithvi kept his fist below his chin and, with one hand, played with his pen on the desk . Sanyogita turned back as soon as hearing him say “Okay, Sir .”“Miss. Sharma , you are a very talented girl and our company needs you. That's why I have some expectations from you. Now you can go “.“Thank you, Sir, “replied Sanyogita. This time, Prithvi could feel the gratitude in her tone.Although she was praying under her breath when she would leave her boss's cabin and inhale fresh air .Prithvi was thinking something in his mind. He was looking very apprehensive.