The phone rang. Javed looked at caller's ID and composed himself – he always both dreaded and hoped for these calls. For they could bring eagerly-expected news… or terrible nightmares from horror movies.
- Yes, Mr. Thompson? Oh, I see… Do you think there may be something?... Sure, go on, let's hope you are right!... What do you mean - us?... Oh, that! No, don't worry, I'll handle it for time being… Sure, talk to you soon!
Javed disconnected the call without saying goodbye – they were not done for today… sometimes it seemed like there was no saying "goodbye" to this story.
Javed thought for a moment and dialled one of the numbers on his speed dial. His call was answered immediately and Javed said:
- Arnav, bhai, there's been a development I think you should be aware of. A search for that black SUV gave a possible match so Thompson has sent the surveillance team from Aarav's school to check it out… No, Junior is fine! Driving his teachers nuts with his corrections and strong opinions… like farther like son, - Javed chuckled but Arnav didn't seemed amused by this so Javed continued on a more serious tone, - Nope, he'll be looked after – I have sent the team assigned to our office to cover the school. They will have plenty of time to see him to the house and then get back for Anjali and… Hey, forgot to tell you! You'll never guess who's coming to dinner!
And Javed went on to tell Arnav about their unexpected guest… yet another result of Khushi's brilliant ideas. And one more person to protect.
…
- Oh, no, no, no… Just no! It can't be happening! Not now! Not to me!
Anjali was devastated as her professional career seemed to be crushing down in front of her eyes… and there was so little she could do.
Lavanya tried to comfort her:
- Di, c'mon, it'll be all right, there's still time…
Anjali exploded:
- What time? There's no time! The show is in three days and it will take them at least a week to get this issue sorted out! And it's not like I could buy everything from the rack!
Anjali pressed a button on her phone and shouted a bit louder than she'd wanted – but she really wasn't in a mood to pace herself:
- Namrata! Get me our driver at once!
Namrata made a whimpering sound in response and went on to call the garage. Lavanya chuckled – that girl didn't expect Anjali's rage even though she'd deserved it the most because it was Namrata's mistake that created today's disaster.
Anjali was digging through piles of fabric and catalogues, picking out the things she'd need to mend the damage inflicted by her assistant. In the process she was messing up her already messed up office so Lavanya decided it would be wise to get out of her way. She stood up and said:
- I will go pick up my things. Meet you downstairs, don't go without me!
The last comment was supposed to secure that Anjali wouldn't forget about her – but Anjali only nodded absentmindedly and kept murmuring something to herself about shades of green… Which meant that Lavanya had to hurry up.
…
- J, hi! Where's my suitcase? You said you'd keep it in your office… so where is it?
Javed tore his eyes away from the laptop screen and watched Lavanya for a moment until his mind registered the sense of her request. His eyes focused on the girl standing in the door frame, scanning his office for her suitcase.
Javed stood up automatically and opened a locker behind his chair. He handed Lavanya her travel suitcase and asked:
- Forgot something inside, Smiley?
Lavanya stepped forward to take her bag and said:
- Nope, just thought I'd take it with me to the Shantivan. Anjali is going to the production and she'd drop me off at her way back.
Javed's hand froze midway and clutched Lavanya's suitcase holder. His mind was racing frantically… Anjali going where? Lavanya is going with her? But they had no plans to live the office today! He'd just sent off their surveillance team to Aarav's school!
Javed managed to squeeze one of the millions of questions he had through his grinding teeth:
- When?... When do you go?
Lavanya was obviously impatient as she took her case other holder and tried to yank her bag out of Javed's stone hands. Her efforts fall flat so she whined:
- J, c'mon, I don't have time for your interrogations, Di will leave any moment!
Javed nodded and walked out of the office with Lavanya's suitcase and herself on a toe. He walked in wide strides and reached the office entrance hall right on time to see Anjali handing over some boxes to their office driver. Driver went on outside to pack the boxes to the trunk and Anjali turned around looking for something. As she saw Lavanya from behind Javed's body she sighted with relief:
- Oh, good, you're here! We should go now 'cause I'm not sure how long will it take there…
Seeing how Anjali practically dismissed his arrival to the scene Javed grabbed her shoulders and shook her to get her attention. It was effective as Anjali looked at him in disbelief – not because he was holding her (quite possibly for the first time in the last three month) but because he was delaying her. But the urgency of the situation was not obvious to Javed so he yelled at Anjali:
- Da hell is going on? Why are you storming out of the office all of a sudden? Talk!
Anjali disconnected his hands from her shoulders in a slow and very deliberate movement to let him know that she was not to be man-handled… at least, not anymore. She spoke in dry strict tone:
- We have a problem with fabric delivery, I have to go to production and see what can be done to fix it… There may be a case that I would have to cancel the show so you can see that it's pretty important! So, Javed-ji, would you please step away and let me do my job that you have so gracefully bestowed on me with your enormous trust?
Anjali was upset… she really was. Just the moment when she felt she's got everything under control the hell broke loose. Namrata managed to screw up a fabric order and their fabric supplier from Italy had sent them the wrong material – wrong colour, wrong patters, wrong everything! How was she supposed to make a show out of so much wrong?!
Javed stepped aside surprised at Anjali's outburst. He asked calmly:
- Can it be done in the office? You can get fabric samples here and…
Anjali rebuked:
- It can and will be done at the production! Unless you want to give me the reason why I shouldn't go there! Till then – have a nice day!
Anjali walked around him and opened the door. Lavanya shrugged trying to shake off unpleasant feeling after what she'd just seen – it was so unusual for both Javed and Anjali to lose their tamper.
Javed was left standing in stupor. Reason? Oh, he knew the reason all right! But give it to Anjali? He was willing to do it at first… but not anymore. Javed didn't want to jeopardize Anjali's newfound will for life with dark shadows from her past.
There was only one thing left to do. Javed took out his car key from his pocket and fallowed the ladies out of the office.
"In the end… I am Raizada's driver", - he thought to himself and smiled sadly.