Always Be Mine

Part 38:

Vardhan sir continued "Team! As informed earlier, you have exactly 60 mins to complete this task. Task will be considered complete only when the Engine is fully up and functional. If you don't manage to fix it within 60 mins, you lose. FITE's reputation is at stake team.. Hope you understand the seriousness. I trust my team and I know they ll never let me down. Your time starts now!" Randhir was not able to concentrate on anything that was going around him. His eyes were totally fixed on his Sanyukta. She was longingly watching her Dream Team getting ready for the task, without her.

Vidushi had no idea what she was supposed to do with the Engine. She was neither interested in the Engine nor in the Engineering. All she was worried about was Parth, he was there so she wanted to be there. Jiggy, Kaustuki and Sahil were trying to understand what they were supposed to do. Parth was examining the engine. Still, it needed a real Engineer's interference, who is passionate about Engineering. One such Engineer has been deliberately kept away from the task and the other was completely lost in her thoughts..

Parth sighed "Randhir please concentrate on the task.. We have only 60 minutes. Already we have lost 5 mins"

"Kyun? Mein Kyun concentrate karun task pe? Paanch paanch engineers hai na, tum log Khud hi sambhalo.. Mujhe nai karna yeh sab" Randhir denied

Seeing Parth getting insulted Vidushi jumped in, "Randhir you can do this.. We chose u as 6th member of our team to help us not to ditch us like this.."

"Ditch? Oh my god! Vidushi madam, kya aapko ditching word ka asli meaning pata bhi hai.. You ditched Sanyukta, one of our best Engineers.. " Randhir was hell angry..

"Randhir come on.. Don't keep cribbing. Being an active member of the team we need to focus on the task.. Please, Parth samjao na use"

"I am not stopping you from focussing on the task Vidushi.. Am I? Tum toh FITE ki best engineer samajte ho apne aap ko.. Please carry on.. Fix the engine.. Let me see how you do it" Randhir kept going..

"I can definitely fix this engine.. Infact as a team we need to do it" Vidushi surrendered as she very well knew she is nothing without the team.

"Oh really? You and your team.. To hell with you all.. I can bet my life on it.. You guys can never fix this engine without us.. Us being Sanyukta and myself.. Tum jaise Engineers banne se desh ka nuksan pakka hai.." There was no stopping Randhir today..

Vardhan sir interfered " Team I am sure you know what is the purpose of you being here.. Would you mind focussing on the task rather than focussing on one another.." He tried to sound polite in front of the representatives..

Jiggy Sahil and Kaustuki had no clue on what to do.. They were being the silent spectators of the banter going on.. Parth very well knew that there was only one human being on earth who could control Randhir's aggression.. It was Sanyukta.. He quickly glanced at her, she gave a confused look. He signalled her to look at Randhir, who was busy quarrelling with Vidushi. Sanyukta called him at a lowest tone possible "Randhirrrr..!"

Randhir turned to face her almost instantly.. He raised his eye brows to ask her why she called him.. She signalled him towards the engine, put her hands together in a pleading way, and said "Please concentrate! Please....!"

Randhir looked at his watch.. They had almost wasted 10 mins without even touching the machine.. They now only had 50 mins to go.. "I know what to do.." Randhir said to himself, turned to see his Sanyukta, gave her a thumbs up and smiled..

That flashing smile was more than enough for her to fall in love with him all over again.. This guy is so special.. She once considered him as her worst enemy, biggest opponent, but now he was her biggest admirer, her first love.. Her whole team was against her, but this one man stood up for her against his whole team. Never in her wildest dreams had she thought something like this could ever happen.. But it was real, it was happening.. She had no complaints now.. She could smell the scent of Greese from Randhir's hands, for the first time ever she was happy doing so.. He was not a stranger anymore.

Randhir quickly examined the engine, it was indeed a very faulty piece of machine.. Vidushi tried to touch the machine, Randhir signalled her to stop "Agar tumhe help karna hi hai, toh dur  raho engine se.. Haath mat lagana.. "

Parth pulled her away and said "Tum Itni beizzati kaise seh Leti ho!"

​He isn't even considering you as a human being. So please stop becoming a fool infront of others. Agar kuch karna hi hai, toh sirf ideas dena, hum baaki sambhal lenge."

Parth was shouting at her, but still he was concerned about her. He always believed he didnt have any feelings for her, still he couldnt see her being insulted by Randhir. Randhir gave a angry look at Parth.. "Tum sab kuch kaam ke nahi ho.. 10 min hua hai par ab tak sirf ek dusre ke shakal dekhke time waste kar rahe ho.. 60 mins nahi 60 saal mein b tumme se koi b yeh engine thik nai kar pawoge.. It needs passion and dedication, jo mere paas hai aur love for machines jo us ladki ke paas hai jise tum logon ne milke eliminate kiya tha..Bus dekhte jao kya hota hai.."

Randhir knew Parth was capable of handling this, still he was sure that he will not be able to do it all alone. Even Randhir himself felt handicapped. He had always competed with Sanyukta in each and every task. He isnt used to such a weird situation where he had to work all alone.​

Parth knew for sure Randhir was missing Sanyukta, in a way even he did. Had she been around, it would have been just another task for them. In order to get Randhir straight, she was needed. Even Parth was helpless, nobody had the guts to go against Vardhan sir. Parth let out a sigh and started to work on the Engine.

Randhir's mind was racing fast. He was trying hard to fix the piece of machine lying infront of him but he failed. No way he was going to do it without having his Sanyukta around. But then, there was a ground rule, only 6 members allowed to do this task.

One of the representative's eyes fell on Sanyukta, who was longingly watching her dream team at work. He whispered to Prof. Vardhan, "Mr. Vardhan, who is the girl sitting in the corner? Why is she in the lab? Is she from your team?" Prof. Vardhan glanced at Sanyukta and answered plainly "Oh.. She is Sanyukta Agarwal, part of my Dream Team. She is just watching my team work, as you said, there were supposed to be only 6 people working on the task, so she chose to sit out for the betterment of the team.."

"Oh.. How good a performer she is? Are you sure your team isn't missing her expertise?" He raised his eyebrow.

"Oh dont worry.. She is good, but my best team is on the field. I dont think anybody will be missing her.. As you can see, they are already into the task" Vardhan knew he was lying, but he had to do so. Sanyukta could hardly believe what she heard. Why is he being so rude to me? Why? Wasnt he my inspiration? Everytime she saw Prof. Vardhan, she would get inspired. His one look would give her all the courage she needed to fight. His smile was the only big appreciation she considered worth so far.​ But now, the same Vardhan sir was hell bound in crashing her dreams..

Prof. Vardhan pointed his finger towards Randhir and said "Look at him Randhir Singh Shekawat, he is the best.. " he glanced towards Sanyukta.. She was proudly looking at Randhir, she looked him back and nodded in agreement "I agree sir!" That was the only thing on earth she could agree upon with Vardhan sir right now.. Otherwise, he looked like a murderer, killing her dreams.. When Prof. Vardhan and Sanyukta were still lost in their own thoughts, they heard a loud thud.. "Ahhhhhh!" Someone shouted.. It didn't take much longer for anyone out there to realize whose voice it was..

It was indeed Randhir!!! He fell down on the floor and was shouting literally "Ahhhh" Sanyukta was the first one to reach him.. She was so tensed.. Randhir was rolling on the floor with his hands on his stomach... "Ahhhh my stomach is achinggggg... I am not able to get up.. Pata nai mere pet ko kya ho Gaya.. Itna Kyun dukh raha hai...!!!" Whole dream team was just staring at him.. Sanyukta sat behind him, her hands were shivering, she couldn't see her Randhir in pain.. "Randhir tumhe kya ho Gaya? Tum thik ho na.. Mein medicine leke aati Hun Ruko.." Sanyukta was about to get up when Randhir pulled her back, she almost fell on his chest..

Randhir winked at her "Farzi.. Kuch b nai samjhogi kya? Sab Kuch mujhe hi samjhana padega.. Uff yeh ladki b na.. Ab Isi Haal me Zyada nai samjha paunga.. Just go and finish the task.. I ll explain you everything later.. I trust u.. Mere trust mat Thodna.. One last thing, I love you" he winked yet again..

Sanyukta smiled.. She knew what exactly he had done.. Aur samjhane ka Zaroorat hi nai tha..

5 mins back:
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Randhir took a closer look at the engine.. After 5 mins of complete examination, he knew what needs to be done.. He had been spending his life with machines for more than a decade.. Uske alawa koi aur nai jaan sakta ki Aakhir machines kya hota hai.. He knew machines in and out.. Machines ke saat rehte rehte Khud machine jo ban Gaya hai woh.. "Yes I ll crack it within 20 mins.. If I can do it, my Farzi can very well do it within 20 mins or even lesser than that.. I ll have to get her in somehow now.. Par kya karun? Should I do a blast like my Farzi? Nahi I can't do it.. Blast karunga toh FITE disqualify ho jayega..Kuch Socho Randhir Kuch Socho.. I know you can.. You will man! Think think" While Randhir was busy talking to himself, he heard what Vardhan sir said.. He called him his best student.. Yes sir, I am the best in whatever I do and I ll prove it to you yet again.. "Agar mujhe Sanyukta ko andar laana hai, then I need to go out.. Woh b bina kisi suspicion ki.. I know what I should do" he smiled and the next minute he was on the floor..

" Prof. Vardhan what is happening there.. Your best student is on the floor.. I guess he is unwell.. What will you do now?"  Vardhan was still staring at his team.. While the representative himself continued "Chaho toh you can pull in your another member to fill the gap.. Kya naam hai us ladki ka.. Haan Sanyukta Agarwal.."

Randhir was relieved to hear that.. He signalled Sanyukta to get up "Farzi ab uto b.. Romance Karne ka Jagah yeh nahi hai.. Mujhe admire baad me kar Lena.. Ab Sach me pet dukh raha hai.. Please uto mere upar se" he made a child face..

Sanyukta got up.. She pulled him up as well slowly, placed his hand on her shoulder.. Parth came to support.. They took Randhir towards the table and made them sit.. Sanyukta glanced at her watch.. They had already lost 30 mins of their task time..

Sanyukta turned to face Prof. Vardhan.. He said "Sanyukta Agarwal.. Take your position.. You replace Randhir in this task.. All the best!" Randhir smiled at his Sanyukta, that was exactly what he wanted.. When he saw Prof. Vardhan looking at him, he pressed his stomach hard and shouted "Ahhhh Itna Kyun dukh raha hai mera pet!!"

Sanyukta joined her team.. She took only 5 mins to examine the engine.. She at once realized what was the fault.. Randhir had very cleverly dismantled the machine in such a way, she could understand the issue very quickly.. Parth, Jiggy and Sahil helped in their own ways.. Vidushi wasn't interested in anything, all she did was to admire Parth..

Randhir sat exactly in the place, where she sat previously.. Only difference being, she was hell upset while sitting there, wherein he was hell happy to sit there and watch his princess at work.. He loved the way, she moved quickly, her hands playing efficiently with the machines.. "Is ladki ki jaan basti hai us machines me, aur meri jaan ispe.." He smiled..

Representatives announced "Time's up!" A second before they did, Sanyukta put her hands up.. "We are done sir! Our Engine is ready!"

Representatives examined the engine for 10 mins and announced "Very well done! Engine is fully up and functional.. Prof. Vardhan we are impressed by your team.. Congratulations.. In fact thanks to you, we saw some of the best engineers in action today"

Prof. Vardhan was a proud man.. His trick had indeed worked.. He not only managed to show them both what their real priorities were in life, he even used it as a weapon to win this task.. He was such a gem.. People could hardly understand what was going through in his mind.. Nobody has ever cracked Prof. Vardhan, nor they ll ever be!

Sanyukta turned to face her Randhir "Thank you Randhir!" Her eyes thanked him..

"Anything for you my Farzi!" He smirked..

Prof. Vardhan came forward to congratulate Sanyukta.. He even smiled at Randhir, who was still trying to act as if he was suffering from serious stomach pain.. He went near him " Well acted Randhir! I mean, well done..!" He left the place with a smirk..

Dream Team left the lab with a sense of satisfaction.. Leaving behind a long lost smiling Randhir and Sanyukta!