Foresight

Chapter XXIX

"Hello, who is it?" Tarun answers the call without looking on the caller-id, as he is working out the last minute bugs on 'Circus Charlie II', their second project with SIDCO. 'Circus Charlie' was a good success, exactly as they were looking forward to. Though they had not crossed five thousand sales, they had around four thousand and more sales. Ashok, their handler at SIDCO was ecstatic over it and recommended for second version of the same game, with better levels more characters. It had been almost one and half month since they started on this and they were on the verge of launching it. Tomorrow they were launching it, so Tarun was working on the last minute bugs.

"Its Jenny." Her voice comes very coldly from the other side.

"Hi baby. Sorry I was busy coding honey. That's why I didn't even look at the phone." Tarun answers with a huge excitement in his tone, as he sits up on his chair.

"It's ok. Well I just came back yesterday night. My phone was dead when I left and it got pretty late when I got home. That's why I couldn't call you." Jenny speaks from the other side.

"It's ok babe. As long as you are safe, I am happy."

"Well Tarun can we meet up today evening, at the usual coffee place?"

"Sure baby. When shall we meet up?"

"Around 7."

"7? Wouldn't it get late for you honey? Let's schedule for 4."

"Seven would be fine Tarun. Well I am little tired from all the travel, so I am going to grab some sleep. Talk to you later" and she hangs up the phone abruptly.

'Huh. No 'I love you' and all. Bit strange' flashes through Tarun's mind before he shrug's it off, over the excitement that she is finally here. Rajesh and Neeraj lean over from their desks, to find an ear-ear grin in his face.

"Jenny is back I guess?" Neeraj asks, taking off his headphones. Neeraj has the habit of working with his headphones, which kind of irritates his colleagues. At the important time, when his attention would be need, it takes a real effort to catch it.

"Yes. Date today at seven. Wow man I am psyched. Don't disturb me. I am going to use this excitement to blow away all bugs" and with that announcement, Tarun sits on his desk with a steel determination and zones off.

Six hours later, Ashok comes up to their office. He has a 'not so happy' kind of expression in his face. He marches straight to Tarun's desk, who is still furiously typing away.

"Tarun" Ashok calls him in a low voice.

"Ashok, I didn't expect you here" Tarun answers as he gets up, watching his two friends in the back, equally bewildered.

"You added a new level. Though totally uncalled for when the game is five hours away from launch, it is amazing." Ashok opens up, a smile forming in his face.

"Oh thanks. I suddenly got an inspiration and I coded an extra level. It's a bonus level actually" Tarun explains.

"Well whatever works for you guys. But I will be needing the game as per the deadline we discussed. Think you can deliver?" Ashok asks, as his smile disappears from his face, concern taking its place.

"Yeah. As a matter of fact, since you are here, why don't you take the copy. I am done with the coding. Even with last minute bugs" Tarun says, handing Ashok a flash-drive.

"Wow. You guys sure can deliver. Anyway I will send the payment details by email and it should hit your account by tomorrow." Ashok says as he turns towards the door and heads out.