Javed naam hai mera phir se

Chapter 7

- Shukriya, Javed-ji, it's very kind of you, - Anjali said in a calm voice trying to pacify the man she was talking to, - I'm sure you understand how grateful our whole family is for all the help you've landed us…

- Yes, sure, my help, my assistance, my kindness, I'm great and the rest of it! Anjali-ji, no offense, but I have heard it already! Twice! And this is just this morning! And if I'd try to count in the previous week I would cross beyond double digits! So… PLEASE… let us both take it for granted that I drive you to the office and move on. Because "eternal gratitude" speech is getting old on me!

Javed was nervous.

First of all, there was Anjali's continuing praise of his heroic acts – she made it sound like he was fighting off an army invasion. Singlehandedly! Javed had no idea he was signing up for this when Khushi set up her idea… but Anjali seemed adamant to make Javed feel appreciated and welcomed to their family. And she was getting seriously overboard!

But, to be honest, that was not the main reason behind Javed's irritation. There was more… there was always something more.

Javed pressed one of the buttons on his speed-dial list and started talking almost immediately:

- Mr. Thompson, that issue we've discussed yesterday – I think there's more of the same presently. I'm asking you to look into it asap.

And he hung up without waiting for respond.

In a meantime Anjali turned away from the windshield and asked Javed suavely:

- Was it a business matter? Something that could not wait five more minutes till we will reach the office?

Javed felt an undertone to that question but was not in the mood to play verbal hide-n-seek so he almost barked his answer:

- That was a matter crucial to ME! And why does it bother you?

She replied harshly building up irritation of her own:

- Because driving and speaking on the phone is not the safest combination!

Javed looked astonished but then smiled with relief:

- Does it mean that my driving is no longer deemed picture-perfect and we can skip the whole worship act and carving my heroic deeds into stone and all that jazz?

He turned away to focus on making a U-turn in the midst of busy morning traffic when he heard Anjali giggle. That was an unusual sound for her since she was normally more subtle and dignified than that…

- What's so funny if I may ask? – he inquired.

- You snapped, - she giggled again, - I was wondering how long your "gentlemen" act would hold… And you'd be glad to hear that you've lasted longer that I've anticipated…

Luckily for both of them they've arrived to AR Design parking lot and Javed had stopped a car before his jaw dropped which only made Anjali giggle some more.

- You mean… you were doing this on purpose?!

Sure, he knew she was doing this on purpose! But Javed thought that her purpose was to pacify him, not to bug him! That was some serious surprise on her part!

- Well, yes, - Anjali answered shying away, - because at some point it became really silly that you kept accepting my gratitude with clenched teeth but never tried to stop me… I just made a bet with myself for how long will you hold.

- You. Made. A bet. About me. Are you for real right now?!

She inclined her head expressing her deepest regret – as if he couldn't see that she was merely hiding her subtle smile – when she'd answered:

- Yes. I'm sorry. I won't do it again. Promise.

Javed considered the whole situation for a moment and then exploded with laughter:

- My lady, the next time you'd decide to praise my perfect being, I will drive my car directly into the first obstacle on our way to convince you otherwise! So for both our sakes – get off this track right this instant, ok?

She nodded gracefully and opened her door. Her last words to him were:

- Will you pick me up at 6 p.m.?

- As always, Anjali-ji, as always…

And with that she left for the office building.

Javed was watching her walk, smiling to himself. She was friendly with him – not guilty, not on the holy mission to rescue their friendship with Arnav… Anjali was simply joking around with him. That was something, right?

…

Javed was reading union papers when long-awaited message from Mr. Thompson finally came – "We've lost him three blocks away from office. But I am sure it was the same black SUV that followed you yesterday. Plates are fake. Cannot confirm the identity of the driver. Will be in touch"

Javed didn't need this confirmation. He knew the identity of the driver who kept following his car both mornings. Shyam…