CHAPTER 2

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...NEW FRIENDS ...

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As Inaaya walked into the office, her heart raced with a mix of excitement and nerves. The buzz of the busy lab filled the air, and she could feel curious eyes following her as she stood next to Ishaan. His calm presence next to her was comforting, and she tried her best to exude confidence despite her fluttering nerves.

"Everyone," Ishaan called out, his voice steady but authoritative, drawing the team's attention. "I'd like you to meet Inaaya Sawant. She's our new intern. She'll be working closely with us, so make sure you all help her settle in."

The team gave polite nods and murmurs of welcome, though Inaaya noticed a few skeptical glances. She couldn't help but feel a little out of place in the presence of such seasoned professionals.

Ishaan turned to her with a reassuring smile. "Don’t worry, Inaaya. Everything will be good. Just give it your best shot."

Inaaya’s heart swelled with gratitude. She nodded, flashing her signature bright smile, the one that always lit up a room. “Thank you, Sir. I’ll try my best!”

With a small nod of approval, Ishaan stepped aside, allowing her to mingle with the team. But as he watched her blend into the crowd, he couldn't shake the feeling that there was something different about Inaaya—something that drew him to her, even if he couldn't quite place it yet.

Inaaya exchanged a few pleasantries with her new colleagues, though she could still feel the weight of their judgmental gazes. She took a deep breath, reminding herself of Ishaan’s words. Everything will be good. Just give it your best shot.

As the introductions wrapped up, the lab slowly returned to its usual rhythm—people bustling around, papers shuffling, and quiet discussions over experiments. Inaaya was left to organize her desk, her mind racing with the thoughts of what lay ahead.

Just as she was about to pull out her laptop, a familiar voice interrupted her thoughts.

"How are you settling in?" Ishaan stood by her desk, arms crossed casually, his expression as neutral as ever.

Inaaya looked up and smiled, trying to push away the tension she felt. "Still figuring things out, but I'll get there. Thank you for the introduction. It means a lot."

Ishaan nodded. "It’s normal to feel a bit overwhelmed on the first day. But don’t hesitate to ask if you need anything. The team can seem intimidating, but once you get to know them, they’re not so bad."

Inaaya chuckled softly. "I’ll hold you to that." She paused for a moment, feeling a surge of gratitude. "You know, it’s not just the first day that’s overwhelming. Being in a place like this, working with people as experienced as you... it's a bit scary. I don’t want to mess up."

"You won’t mess up, Inaaya. You’re here for a reason. Trust yourself." There was something so reassuring in the way he spoke, something steady and certain. It made her feel as though, somehow, everything really would be fine.

Inaaya felt a warmth spread through her at his words, a sense of belonging starting to take root in the place that once seemed so daunting. "Thanks, Sir. I think I needed to hear that."

He gave her a small, almost imperceptible smile, one she wasn’t sure she had ever seen from him before. "We all need a reminder sometimes. Now," he straightened up, the professional mask slipping back into place, "there’s a meeting later this afternoon about a new drug development project. You might want to sit in. It'll be a good opportunity to see how the team works."

Her eyes lit up at the prospect. "I’d love that! I’m really interested in learning more about the project."

"Good," Ishaan said, nodding in approval. "I’ll see you there."

As he walked away, Inaaya found herself watching him for a second longer than she should have. She quickly shook off the thought, focusing on her work. But there was something about Ishaan that intrigued her—a quiet strength beneath his calm exterior. And though she didn't know why, she had a feeling that working with him would change her life in ways she hadn’t yet imagined.

It all felt so surreal. Was I dreaming? No, definitely not. This was real, my reality now. Working here had been my dream for so long. The hours of hard work, the sleepless nights of studying, all the dedication—it had all led me here. And I loved it. The faint, sterile smell of chemicals, the gleam of laboratory instruments, the rustle of papers, the steady hum of computers, and the people moving about purposefully. It was like stepping into a new world, one I had always belonged to but had just now entered.

I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn’t notice the two figures approaching me until they were almost upon me. I blinked, arching my neck as I sat in the chair, looking up at them. The first person I noticed was a girl, just a few years older than me. Her deep brown eyes peeked out from behind thin-framed glasses, her shoulder-length black hair framing a face that could only be described as stunning. She was taller than me by a few inches, and I couldn’t help but think how effortlessly gorgeous she looked.

Beside her stood a man, around the same age, but taller, his presence commanding in a quiet way.

"Hello," they both said in unison, their smiles warm and welcoming.

"Hey, guys," I responded with a grin of my own. "I’m Inaaya, 24. What about you?"

"Oh! Nice to meet you. I’m Gunjan Sahu, 27," the girl said, her voice bright and welcoming. She gestured to the man beside her. "And this is my friend and colleague."

She turned toward him, nudging him playfully. "Come on, yaar, give your intro!"

With a slight nod and a small, almost shy smile, he finally looked at me. His gaze was calm, steady, yet there was something gentle in the way he held himself.

"This is Avinash Saxena, 28," he said, his voice lower, more measured. "Nice to meet you."

"Oh, wow!" I exclaimed, a teasing smile playing on my lips. "I think I’m getting some cute friends, aren’t I?"

Gunjan let out a soft laugh, her eyes twinkling behind her glasses. "Well, we do try our best," she teased back, flipping her hair over her shoulder with mock pride.

Avinash chuckled under his breath, shaking his head slightly. "Cute, huh? That’s a first," he said, his tone dry but his smile growing a little wider.

I couldn’t help but smile too, already feeling at ease with them. There was a warmth in their presence, a sense of belonging that was rare to find so quickly in a new place.

"So, what brings you to this department?" Gunjan asked, sliding into the chair next to me, her curiosity evident. Avinash stood beside her, his hands in his pockets, quietly watching the conversation unfold.

I glanced around, taking in the familiar sights of the lab again. "I’ve always wanted to work in a place like this. Pharmaceuticals, research—it’s been my dream for as long as I can remember," I admitted, feeling a little spark of pride.

Gunjan nodded thoughtfully. "Well, you’ve come to the right place. It’s tough, but it’s rewarding. And trust me, with time, you’ll learn to love it even more."

Avinash chimed in, his voice softer now. "It’s a challenging field, but I think you’ll fit in just fine, Inaaya."

"Thanks for your kind words," I said, feeling genuinely touched. "You guys are really good. Lagta hai maine ek tir se do nishaane maar liye," I added with a playful grin, glad that I’d managed to make not just one, but two new friends.

Gunjan chuckled. "Looks like you’re going to fit right in, not just with the work but with the banter too."

Avinash raised an eyebrow, amusement flickering in his eyes. "Two targets, huh? Well, we’ll have to see how well you shoot in the lab," he said, his tone light but with a challenge underneath.

I couldn’t help but laugh at that. "Bring it on. I’m ready!"

Gunjan leaned forward, smirking. "Oh, just wait. Once you get started with the projects, you’ll see it’s not all fun and games."

"Hey, I’m here for the long haul," I replied, confident. "And with you two around, I’m sure it’ll be an interesting ride.

Okay, so what about you two?" I asked, leaning forward slightly, curious. "What are your roles or positions here?"

Gunjan smiled. "I’m a senior quality analyst. Basically, I ensure that whatever we develop or manufacture meets all the required standards—whether it's testing formulations or making sure the reports are flawless."

Avinash chimed in next, his tone a bit more reserved but steady. "I’m part of the research and development team. We work on formulations, trials, and all the fun behind-the-scenes stuff that goes into getting a product from the lab to the market."

I nodded, impressed. "Wow, sounds intense but exciting."

Gunjan shrugged playfully. "It has its moments. But we survive."

Avinash smiled softly. "Yeah, you’ll get used to it."

Here’s the continuation with your dialogue:

"Hmm, guys, ye sab to thik hai, but mujhe aur logo ka to introduction do," I urged, leaning back in my chair, eager for more insights. "Dekho, jo jo yaha baitha hai, sabke baare mein aap logo ko jitna pata hai, mujhe bada do. Ha, matlab I need to be aware, na? Ki kon bitch aur kon dev Manush!"

Gunjan burst into laughter, clearly amused by my straightforwardness. "Alright, I see what you’re after! Well, let’s see..."

She glanced around the lab, her finger tapping her chin thoughtfully. "Over there is Riya. She’s a bit intense but really knowledgeable—just don’t get on her bad side. And then there’s Rahul, who’s always joking around. He can be a bit of a distraction, but he means well."

Avinash added, "And that’s Akshay. He’s usually quiet but very reliable. You can count on him for help when you need it."

I nodded, soaking in the information. "So, basically, I need to navigate this place like a minefield."

Gunjan winked. "Pretty much! Just keep your wits about you, and you’ll do fine."

And what about that tall lady over there?" I asked, nodding toward a striking woman who stood across the room, her presence commanding. "She seems scary."

Gunjan's expression turned playful as she glanced in the direction I was pointing. "Ah, you mean Sushmita? Don't let her height intimidate you. She’s a senior researcher and knows her stuff inside and out. She can come off a bit stern, but if you prove your dedication, she’s incredibly supportive."

Avinash added, "Yeah, she’s tough, but she appreciates hard work. Just don’t interrupt her when she’s deep in thought—that’s a surefire way to find yourself on her bad side."

I chuckled nervously. "Got it. Keep my distance during her thinking time!"

Gunjan nodded with a grin. "Exactly! But once you get to know her, you’ll see she has a good heart. Just give it time."

With such light conversations, I found myself feeling more comfortable as I completed my first task assigned to me. The hours flew by, and before I knew it, it was lunchtime.

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Damn!! How does it feel to be an extrovert.

Do minute mai inhone dosti karli. Kash humare paas bhi esa talent hota😭😭.

Ok koi na.

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