Girl Friday

CHAPTER 22

CHAPTER 22

Arav

I was mixing the semi solid clay in my hand, kneading it to bring it to perfect texture, when I heard the door of the studio swing open. I was surprised to see Anjali here on a weekday morning.

“That’s a surprise.” I said as I dipped my hand into the tub of water I had placed nearby to clean my hands. “What brings you here? No office?”

Anjali didn’t bother with regular pleasantries as she stood in front of me folding her arms with a serious look. “I want to talk to you.” She said

I was taken aback seeing her.... angry? What happened? I picked a towel and started wiping the left crumps of clay on my hand as I led her to the sitting lounge for us to talk.

“Coffee?” I asked and she nodded no briskly.

I leaned back on my chair and observed her vividly trying to understand what is bothering her. It was as if she was debating inside her head what to talk or how to start. As if finally deciding on something she sighed deeply and looked at me.

“Did you recommend my name for the job?”  she asked looking at me directly.

She found out. But how? Who would have told her? I did talk to Nadiya about hiring Anjali, but highly doubt she would have revealed it to Anjali.

“Tell me?” she asked impatient

“Yes.” I nodded trying to be calm.

Her face flashed hurt. It was as if she was hoping to hear a no from me.

“Did you want to get rid of me from here? Firing me would have been better option.” She said.

“That is not true.” I said looking at her. “I truly wanted you to be in a place better than this.”

“Why recommend? Did you think I wouldn’t have made it with my own ability? “

“It is not that Anjali. I...”

“If I didn’t get through interview, good. I would have been pleased at least for trying. Now to think that I got this job through recommendation feels very humiliating. “ her voice choked in the end and a sob escaped. I was alarmed seeing her cry and I immediately knelt beside her to hold her hands.

“Anjali, don’t...” I said as I wiped the tear drops off her eyes. “It is not really as bad as you think. It is not even recommendation. I just told them that you are hard worker and you deserve a chance. Just like how your college professor told that you are a patient person before you got the job with me. It is just like validation of skill. I swear I didn’t force them to appoint you. “I reasoned

I did have a word with Nadiya. I called her after Anjali’s interview. She was sceptical after average performance of Anjali in interview and I assured that she is very much talented. That is all. Nadiya naturally took my word for appointing Anjali. It is not like I used my power to employee Anjali. She is natural.

“You know Rohan. He only prefers best to work at Malhotra Industries. If he had thought you were incapable then you wouldn’t have survived more than a day there. Now, you are gonna celebrate one month bar in couple of days. It is all your pure hard work. Don’t think otherwise.’”

Anjali didn’t seem convinced. In fact, she looked at me with more questions.

“Why am I put under a senior person like Mr.Vashisht? How did all of a sudden Sandeep’s department is changed?”

I was truly taken aback by that. No matter how brilliant Anjali is, she couldn’t have figured out the connection between that and me. Who has fed her all this?

“Anjali, I...”

“Was it you?’” she asked directly

I didn’t know what to say. I didn’t want to lie of course. But, how will I explain to her that Sandeep’s interest in her didn’t settle well with him and I instigated his already displeased boss?

“I spoke to Mr.Vashisht, okay?” I said. “He was confused between letting go Sandeep and Arvind, because someone in Ms. Chawla’s team recently quit and she wanted more head count, an experienced one preferably. So I encouraged him to let go Sandeep. But no personal reason I swear. I requested him to look after you and guide you. But it was completely his call to take you under his wing.”

Anjali looked at me. Her tears had dried a little but I could see something was still bothering her.

“Would you have done the same for all freshers?” she asked

“No.” I answered honestly

“Why this special treatment for me?”

“Because, I know you personally, Anjali. And you are....” I said. “...my friend.”

“Friend!” she clicked a tongue. “That is totally not how everyone will see this.”

“Everyone?” I asked bemused.

Who is everyone here? I am sure not many are aware of this. And also, the few who were aware wouldn’t dare reveal it to Anjali in such a way that she would be in tears. There was only Nadiya, Mr.Vashisht and Rohan. Even as I was wondering the names of people who might know the details, my father’s face appeared in my mind.

“Anjali, did my father tell you anything?”

She didn’t have to answer anything. Her gasp and fresh tears in her eyes were proof enough. When my father me confronted about putting in a word for Anjali few days ago, I didn’t really think anything of it except one of many things about me that he disapprove. I didn’t think he would talk to Anjali about this.

“What did he tell?” I asked

Her sobs increased and I couldn’t help but pull her into a hug. God, I hate her tears.

“He..” she hiccupped. “He ... He said that...” she hiccupped again.

I pulled out of the hug and looked at her face. Wiping the tears of her eyes, I took the water bottle and opened the cap to make her drink it.

“Relax.” I said. “Drink some water and then tell me everything.”

Anjali gulped half of the bottle in between hiccups and when I was sure she was okay. I moved back to the chair and waited for her to speak.

“He insinuated that you were doing all this for me because you... and me... we are...”

She didn’t have to complete the sentence. I already knew what my father would have told her. That vile man. I can’t believe he would say something like this to Anjali. Does he even know what she means to me?

“Anjali, trust me when I say that you are perfect for the job. It is not just me but your co workers and head also think that. Don’t bother about the nonsense people keep spreading.”

“He is not people, he is your father. How can he speak about us like that? “

“Anjali...”

What am I supposed to tell her? My father could speak worse when it concerns me after all one disappointing son I have been. Insulting Anjali is just a way for him to get to me. It is high time I deal with him.

“You don’t have to worry about anything, Anjali. I will clear all this.”

“It doesn’t matter.” She mumbled as she got up from the chair picking her bag.

“Wait. I will drop you at office.”

“I have taken off. I am going home.” She said not meeting my eyes.

“Okay, I will drop you home.” I said

“I will take a cab.”

She didn’t let me speak further nor did she bid me bye. She just walked out without a second glance. Why is she being indifferent? I will deal with her later. It is time for me to make a visit to my father.

*_*_*_*

If my father was surprised to see me barge into his office, he didn’t let it show in his face.

“Anything important?” he asked nonchalantly looking at his computer screen.

“You have no rights to talk to Anjali like that.” I declared straight. No beating around the bush.

He looked up from his computer and looked at me with a sly smile.

“Oh! So now she has complained to you, I see.”

“She is an employee; you don’t have to involve her in what is between us.” I said

“Mere employee? Really?” he asked.

Pushing his chair back, he took out something from his draw and put it on the table. I was shocked to see pictures of me and Anjali from our dinner at the Italian restaurant the other day. I looked at my father bemused.

“This was supposed to be printed with the headlines ‘Malhotra dating a small town girl?’ the day after your date with your so called assistant.” He said getting up from his chair. “I had to shove ten lakhs to the reporter to shut his mouth.”

Media were always curious to know about my life, since I am a Malhotra. But it never occurred to me that they will not think twice before involving Anjali in all this fiasco. If this news has come out, it would have been disastrous, especially since I have not come clear about my feelings to her yet.

“How more reckless can you get, Arav, mixing with likes of her?”

My anger piqued at what he said.

“What do you mean by likes of her?” I asked frowning.

“Do you know her parents own a small garment company in their hometown? Do you fancy hearing how associating Sharma Garment Company with Malhotra Industries will raise our shares?”

“Oh! Now I get it.” I said. “It is all about the Malhotra name, right? I am sorry I thought you didn’t want the name out because of her reputation or mine. It was for your company’s reputation. I totally get it. Tell me something; if Anjali had been daughter of any affluent businessman you wouldn’t have had any problem, right?”

“Why would I have a problem then?”

“Is my personal life also only a business to you?” I asked hurt

“Listen Arav, I have no problem with you having fun with whoever you want. But, don’t get involved. A son who never visits office is suddenly making business decisions for a chit of a girl. I really do not like where it is leading. Keep all the fun behind the curtains and try to built relationship with Maya.”

“What makes you think you can dictate my life? You really think I will sacrifice my life for your business benefit? Listen to me carefully; Anjali is not nobody, okay? She is my girlfriend. We are dating. And we might as well get married someday. You bloody have no say in that. “ I said pointing my finger at him.

“Arav, don’t you dare.” He shouted

“You have lost the rights to even say my name, Mr.Malhotra.” I said glaring at him.

“I am your father.”

“You have lost that right as well.” I said with finality walking out of the room confidently.

Rubbing my forehead trying the erase the headache that recent incidents caused, I stood in front of the elevator waiting to leave. My phone buzzed with screen flashing Rohan’s name.

“What is it, Rohan?” I asked picking the phone.

“Where are you?” he asked

“Office, why?”

“Office?” he asked surprised. “Two days in a row?”

“Will explain later, Rohan. Why did you call?”

“Can you come to my cabin?” he asked

“Why?”

The reason he revealed only increased my headache more. Damn! Such a bad day.

*_*_*_*_*