Chapter One - The Frienimies
"Sanyukta and Randhir will represent FITE in the 'Innovations in Racing Car Engines Seminar' to be held next month at National Institute of Technology Studies, Chandigarh (NITS)", announced Vardhan Sir.
Well none from the dream team was surprised. Everybody had very well expected this. They knew that they were all the support system of the engine that was being run by Sanyukta and Randhir, and they were happy with this set-up, because they had been on a winning spree ever since the dream team had been constituted. And everytime it was these two who had spear-headed the winning scheme.
A lot had changed during the last three years for the Dream Team more so between Randhir and Sanyukta. For Vardhan Sir too it had been a gratifying journey because two of his best students had grown out of their constant cat fights and learnt to work in tandem to bring out the best in each other. He remembered how Randhir had transformed from being the nagging factor in Sanyukta's life to being her strongest pillar of support in last two years. He had tried cornering Randhir to convince him to express his compassion for Sanyukta to her, but Randhir had plainly denied. "Sir, she loves her 'Engineering' dream more than her own life. And we all know that. The least that I can do is to not distract her from her dream", he had reasoned.
Vardhan Sir had always found their life to be a replica of his own life with Niharika while they were studying in the same college some 15 years back. "One day both of you will realise that your presence cannot distract the other anymore. Rather you are the cementing factor for keeping each other's passion intact. Instead there clearly have been instances in the past where you have been distracted due to the other's absence", Vardhan Sir said to Randhir recalling the time when Sanyukta had left FITE temporarily for her alleged engagement to that idiot Sameer and Randhir had also wanted to leave the Dream Team.
Coming back to present Vardhan Sir continued, "Though it is only these two who are going to represent the team in the final competition, the entire dream team is to work on this project report. Parth is going to co-ordinate with all of you. And both of you, you need to be on your toes for the next one month because this is a competition with standards much higher than what you have faced till date. So you need to be thoroughly prepared."
Randhir and Sanyukta shared a glance with each other and nodded in agreement. "Yes Sir, we will give our best" they both said at the same time. They both had grown up to be complementary to each other in every sense. She had always craved for acceptance while he continuously sought affection, and in each other's company they felt complete. In solitude they felt vulnerable and often rushed back to being with each other mostly in the mechanical lab, or in the library because that way they could camouflage their need to be together with their zeal to follow their passion and work together towards their goals.
This understanding between the two of them had come the hard way, but that is history now. They still wondered regarding the exact nature of their relationship. Even though they felt strongly for each other, but amidst their fears and insecurities they constantly denied their own feelings. Initially it was ego that kept them at loggerheads with each other, but now it was shear fear that kept them from acknowledging the importance that they held in each other's life. Neither wanted to risk the beautiful time, they were having chasing their dream together.
The next one month was an extremely hectic one. The entire dream team had been working day in and day out for the upcoming seminar. The project report had been reviewed and re-reviewed under Vardhan Sir's guidance and looked like almost a flawless winner now. "Good job guys! All of you have done a commendable job. Now the entire onus is on both of you" Vardhan Sir said pointing towards Sanyukta and Randhir. They both agreed with him nervously and promised to do their best as the entire team dispersed.
"I suggest that you two leave tonight itself so that you reach there by dawn. This ways you will have atleast 3-4 hours to relax and gear up for the competition." Vardhan said observing that there was more to Randhir's nervousness than just the competition. His restlessness was quite evident from the way he kept looking at Sanyukta and then away from her. When he realised that Vardhan Sir was observing him, he started looking around as if searching for something. "What you are looking for Randhir, is not anywhere outside. It is within you, you have to acknowledge it and let it out" thought Vardhan Sir and said to Randhir, "Keep your focus. Remember that our institute's prestige is in your hands."
"I promise, I will Sir", Randhir replied, with the determination and focus back on his face.