The countdown didn't stop.
Even as they stood frozen in the center of the buzzing lobby—surrounded by wide-eyed employees, ringing phones, and TVs screaming their names—the number at the top of their phones blinked steadily downward like a timer in a heist movie.
47:59:5847:59:5747:59:56
Each second felt like the world tightening around them.
"This can't be real," Nacikate muttered, gripping his phone so hard his knuckles turned bone-white. "This cannot be happening. Emotional calibration? What are we—devices?!"
Mehul peered over his shoulder with the calmness of someone watching a mildly entertaining traffic accident. "Bro relax. It's just a timer. Timers make everything dramatic. It's chill."
"IT IS NOT CHILL."
But it was too late. The app chimed again, this time with a light, breezy music tune that made everything worse.
Phase 2 Setup Required:System will sync schedules, tasks, and proximity trackers for maximum synergy development.
Mehul's eyes sparkled. "Sync… schedules?"
"No," Nacikate breathed.
"Sync… tasks?"
"No—"
Mehul grinned wider. "Sync… lives?"
"STOP TALKING."
But the system wasn't done ruining everything.
A cluster of notifications exploded across both screens in rapid succession:
Workday Alignment InitiatedProximity Radius ActivatedDesk Reallocation ApprovedJoint Workflow Model EnabledCabin Assignment Confirmed
They both stared.
Nacikate slowly turned to the assistant who stood nearby, hugging a file as if it were a shield.
"What cabin," he said quietly, "did you assign us?"
The poor assistant trembled. "S-sir… management chose Cabin 12. It's the only one big enough for… two workstations."
"That cabin has ONE door," Nacikate whispered.
Mehul nodded. "Yup. Shared entry. Shared exit. Shared suffering."
"SHARED NOTHING!"
But minutes later, they had no choice. HR marched them toward Cabin 12 like an overly enthusiastic wedding planner escorting unwilling grooms to the mandap.
The hallway buzzed with whispers as they passed:
"Look, it's the synergy pair—"
"They're actually kinda cute—"
"Do you think they'll revolutionize the sector?"
"Revolutionize?? They broke the AI assistant!!"
By the time they reached the cabin, Mehul was waving at employees like a celebrity walking a red carpet.Nacikate moved like a man approaching execution.
Cabin 12 awaited them.And it was worse than expected.
Two identical desks sat side by side—so close that the armrests of their chairs touched.A shared shelf above them held neatly labeled folders.A tiny potted plant sat in the corner like a hostage.A small digital device blinked on the wall, projecting a soft blue ring.
Mehul pointed. "Ayo what's that?"
The HR manager answered proudly."That's your proximity sensor! If either of you walks farther than fifty meters away, it glows red and sends an alert."
Nacikate stared at the glowing ring in absolute horror."You installed a TRACKER?"
"Not a tracker!" she corrected cheerfully. "A synergy stabilizer!"
"It's a TRACKER," he repeated flatly.
Mehul was too busy inspecting their chairs, spinning his experimentally. "Oooh these swivel nicely."
"They are ergonomic unity chairs," HR announced.
"What does that EVEN MEAN?" Nacikate demanded.
"It means they're designed for paired workflow harmony!"
Mehul nodded in approval. "Honestly… cool."
The HR manager clasped her hands together with bright excitement."And one more thing!"
"No," Nacikate said immediately. "We do NOT need one more thing."
She opened the cupboard—revealing matching mugs.Blue and orange.With printed text.
Mehul grabbed the orange one and read it aloud."Synergy Partner #1."
Nacikate grabbed the blue one and choked."Synergy Partner #2?? Why am I NUMBER 2?!"
"This is incredible," Mehul whispered, holding in laughter.
"THIS IS UNHINGED CORPORATE MADNESS!"
But HR wasn't done.
She handed them a printed sheet.
"We've also prepared a joint weekly schedule for you two! All your breaks, meetings, and task slots will sync automatically."
"WHAT?!"That came out of both of them at the same time.
HR beamed."Of course! Phase 2 is all about maximizing emotional and operational alignment!"
"EMOTIONAL ALIGNMENT?!"Nacikate collapsed into his chair.Mehul took his seat with the comfort of a man settling into a massage chair.
As the HR manager left—probably to plan more unnecessary decorations—the cabin door clicked shut.The proximity sensor glowed a gentle, sinister blue.
For a moment, neither man spoke.
Finally, Mehul turned his spinny chair toward him, resting his chin on his palm."Well, partner," he said, voice dripping mischief, "we're basically roommates now. At work."
"DO NOT CALL US THAT."
"Desk buddies?"
"No."
"Cabin comrades?"
"No!"
Mehul snapped his fingers. "Oh! Suffering siblings!"
"STOP INVENTING NAMES!"
But their phones chimed again before the argument could escalate.
A new message appeared.
Bold. Bright. Impossible to ignore.
Phase 2 Officially StartedEmotional Calibration Protocol ActiveFirst Calibration Event: 20 Hours
Both men stared at it.
Mehul slowly grinned."Oh this is gonna be FUN."
Nacikate looked like he was about to pass out.
And the countdown glowed on:
19:59:5919:59:5819:59:57
Beginning the next disaster.