- But, Mr. Samza, listen to me! We can't use back tie for this blouse! It's a classic pattern, more of a day-t-day saree, it's not supposed to be complicated, its beauty is in its simplicity! Let's just change it to leaf design blouse and leave it at that…

It wasn't that easy to fight this little man in big round glasses who looked like an own. First – because he was well-known designer and Anjali wasn't. Second – because he was a man and felt entitled to be correct in any given discussion especially about his bread and butter aka saree design. But Anjali was not going to give up so easily because this man was eager to turn every piece of fabric into very expensive piece of designer's saree – and that was not what AR Design was about. Sure, Anjali appreciated fine artwork of masterfully crafted saree as much as any other women… but she also had a warm spot for simpler, more affordable clothing for everybody… and that is where she and Mr. Samza could not find a common ground.

Owl-man looked at her sheepishly and said:

- Be it your way, take away the tie, but I'm telling you – if you keep simplifying all my designs I may to reconsider fabric… add more lace or zardozi work…

- Oh no, - Anjali groaned softly, - not again…

Seriously, there was no way to agree with this man – he always took an opportunity to add intricate details, colourful embroidery or chic fabric to their new designs for pret-a-porter collection. Mr. Samza did not understand the concept of "subtle and dignified" they had for this collection, and – as luck would have it – it was Anjali's assignment to keep him on track. An assignment she would gladly trade for playing tug-of-war with mule…

…

The discussion kept going and going… They had to relocate to conference room because there was the only table big enough to display all their materials: design sketches, fabric catalogs, budget estimates and the rest of the boring stuff that went into creating fashion.

Luckily for Anjali the conference room was spacious, well lit through big French windows and green with flowers which made being there with Mr. Samza more bearable. She liked this conference room, sometimes Anjali used it as a hideout from her noisy and demanding job… There was this little corner separated from the rest of the room by overgrown pipal bush – during the meetings it was used for serving refreshments but otherwise it was a small hidden place with only one lounge chair and a bookstall where Anjali liked to spend her lunch breaks away from the humming office.

She eyed the familiar bush with longing and even considered making a run for it from annoying Mr. Samza… but Anjali couldn't abandon her work just like that. She had to see it through.

…

It took few more hours for Mr. Samza to drive Anjali to the point of collapsing. Was it a mental torture or her physical inability to tolerate this pompous little owl – she didn't know… but she was anticipating her blackout as a form of escape from him and his nerve-wrecking speeches.

At first he simply disagreed with most of her ideas to simplify the designs to meet budget and format demands for their collection. Then he went on to lecture her on necessity of experience in their line of work heavily implying that Anjali haven't had enough experience to even make him tea – let alone give him advises. And then he ended up suggesting that she would start looking for a more suitable position in some other company since it's unlikely that her services would be required here any longer. All in a span of four hours!

Yes, Mr. Samza did not know Anjali co-owned a company he was going to fire her from. She had made sure that nobody knew who she was which was easy since Anjali worked at the new office with new people and Mr. Sharma agreed to keep her secret. Obviously there was a chance co-workers would recognize her from some media pictures… but Anjali was never all that public and her identity managed to stay unknown for long enough for her to relax on this matter.

Yet, it was still unpleasant to be scolded and dismissed by Mr. Owl. Anjali felt really lucky that he was not her permanent boss and was here only to oversee the preparation of this particular collection which he worked on.

But this was some job or her! And she was really losing her… slowly but surely…

- Mrs. Anjali, leave my sleeves alone, you have no say in this matter!

- But, Mr. Samza, it's highly unpractical to have long and laced sleeves on otherwise common saree. Where would woman wear such thing? It's too delicate for household chores and a bit too trivial for festive occasions!

- What do you possibly know about sarees for festive occasions? Have you ever seen one? – owl's voice became high-pitched and his expression was disgusted as he looked over Anjali's simple yet very elegant deep-blue saree.

Anjali was lost for words – this man crossed the border of respectable work relations into open judgement of her character and her appearance. She suddenly felt herself covered in mud and she hand to fight the urge to scrape his look off her body. She wanted to respond with something witty and dignified but nothing came to her tired mind.

And then came the voice – very familiar but very unexpected:

- Wow, Mr. Samza, just wow! My imagination is running wild right now but I have to say – you are definitely going to win this race!

And he stepped out. From behind that bush that was concealing Anjali's secret hideout. Well, apparently not so secret, if Javed had spent last four hours in there and never made his presence known… Up until now.

Mr. Owl responded in the same high-pitched voice:

- I beg your pardon? What do you mean?

Javed smiled a crooked smile:

- I mean that I use all of my imagination trying to picture you in saree – be it a festive or common design – and let me tell you – you are looking gooood!

And with that Javed has made this appreciative whistle men use to harass women on the streets. Javed knew he was being offensive. He was trying for this effect intentionally. Mr. Samza also knew it was direct blow – and he took it badly:

- How dare you to meddle with my business? This girl has tons to learn from me and it's not your place to mock me for trying to teach her some sense!

Javed smirked:

- Why, do you have a lot of experience in wearing sarees? What makes you a bigger expert in women clothing that an actual woman?

There was an undertone to that "actual woman" – it swayed across Anjali's wounded ago and soothed it a bit… she didn't know why… maybe because it sounded like a compliment… or maybe because she liked to be recognized as an "actual woman" by Javed…

Mr. Sanza kept holding his ground:

- I design sarees! So I know a thing or two about them! While this girl…

- … wears them for the past fifteen years of her life. I don't argue with your expertise in colours, patterns and general ideas. But I believe this girl was assigned to this job because of numerous reasons including her talent, her ability to be a team player and, among other things, her being a women who personally knows practical use of sarees. So I suggest you to tone down your enormous ego and try to learn "thing or two" from her – which was the whole point of you two working together on this collection!

Mr. Samza went dark-red on this last comment and was gasping for air in a perfectly ventilated room. Before he regained his ability to speak, Javed added:

- And if you are wondering about my persona in order to fire me too, let me stop you on your heels – I'm Mr. Javed Khan aka head of legal affairs department of this company aka best friend of this company's president. So I wouldn't try your luck against me… or this girl for that matter…

Mr. Samza turned to face Anjali, his eyes were shouting venomous rays:

- Why? Is she also under Raizada's protection?

Anjali gulped and gave Javed quick pleading look – she wished so much that he would understand it and not give away her secret. Unfortunately, Javed wasn't even looking at her – instead he was eyeing Mr. Samza with cold angry look. Javed's answer was shot but implied a whole lot more:

- No. Under mine.

There was almost palpable threat in Javed's voice… but Mr. Samza either missed it or was stupid enough to ignore it. He ran out of the conference room and his last words were echoing in the corridor:

- I won't leave it like that! You will hear about me!

…

Anjali finally collapsed to her seat trying to comprehend the size of impending problems. Her employment was not the issue but having lost the designer three weeks before the show – was… and she did not know how to deal with it. What if he'd take all his sketches and walk away from the company? What if she'd sabotaged the much awaited opening?

- You didn't. If anything – that was me who upset Mr. Samza to the point of no return… but let's be honest – he was asking for it.

Anjali didn't realise she was talking out loud before Javed responded to her thoughts. He added also:

- And he won't take away his designs – those are ours already and we don't even need his approval to change them to our taste. Trust me, I'd done his contract myself, there are no loop-holes for his petty revenge.

Anjali raised her tired eyes:

- But… designs… preparations… who will be our supervising designer now? Mr. Sharma is in Canada and he won't be back for ten more days… and after that it will be too late…

Javed kneeled before her, took her hand, opened her tight fist and started to massage her palm with circle motions. His voice was… serene:

- I know we have this one girl… she a newbie… but I've heard she's extremely talented and can do wonders on a sketch pad. I think we can count on her.

Javed smiled encouragingly but Anjali shook her head in scared disagreement:

- I can't. It's not my place to design. I… I will fail.

Her voice sank as Anjali realised she'd already failed because she'd let this situation to happen. She could've stopped Javed when he was saying those awful but very precise and edgy things… but she didn't for she was enjoying it too much! And now she has to face Arnav explaining to him how she'd blown off his show…

Javed let go of her hand and looked at her with all his seriousness:

- You will not fail. I know that if you will make all the changes you'd envisioned for this collection we will have a tremendous hit on our hands. I'm willing to bet on this.

He stood up and went to collect his papers from his chair behind the pipal tree. Anjali was following his movements with absentminded gaze. Javed came back to stand before her and helped her to stand up herself. He said:

- I dare you to face this. You are, after all, Anjali Singh Raizada!

She heard something in his voice. Not the challenge – it was obvious in his words… but there was more… some sense of quiet pride… that he was SURE she would make it.

Anjali nodded slowly and finally spoke:

- Thank you. I will do my best.

Javed smiled and bowed a little:

- As you always do, my lady.

…

There was a moment of silence when they both were content just to stand by each other. Then some noise from outside startled Anjali and she looked around the room. Javed did the same and suggested:

- I will send somebody to help you out with your materials. Don't forget to eat your lunch…

As Javed turned around to leave, he stopped for one more comment:

- I'm glad we got rid of that big-headed Mr. Samza. What kind of art expert was he if he could not recognize how beautiful you are in this saree? He might as well been blind… Not much of a loss then!

Javed inclined his head in farewell gesture and left the room. He probably didn't notice Anjali's sudden blush for his compliment. It was the first time she was blushing since… it seemed like ever.

…

Yes, the show and the whole collection was a hit.

And no – they haven't heard from Mr. Samza ever again. At least, Anjali didn't.