Posted:
Banner credits : Me 😆
As the familiar aroma hit her nostrils, she inhaled them savoring the long lasting effect it left on her. Heavenly, Pure bliss, these were the few words that left her mouth as the waiter left the food on her table, when he nudged her to quietly eat the food.
"What?"
"Close your mouth and eat Khushi."
"How can I close my mouth and eat Akash?"
"This is the last time we are coming here."
"What? Yeah this is the last time I am coming here with you." She declared.
The waiter looked amused as he watched the exchange. It was the time of the day, when the restaurant wasn't crowded. And he had especially grown fond of the duo who sat their gorging the food down. They had served her their evening special, considering the time she had walked in. That girl was all in for different dishes every time but she made sure to finish her meal with one plate of fried ice-cream. She had taken a special liking to it. He saw her waving at him indicating him to come to her table.
"Yes Maam. Anything else?"
"Um, why is my fried ice-cream tasting different from usual?"
The waiter was aghast at that. "You did not like it?", the feeling of disappointing their most valued customer hit him hard.
"Uh no. It is just that it doesnt taste like usual. Can I meet your Chef at least today?"
Her eager face was met with the same sober look. She knew, she cannot meet him/her, yet again. "He is not here, today."
He? So finally it is Mr. Chef and not Miss. Chef. She mused.
He saw a frown settle on her face as she suddenly brightened. "Tell me was my fried ice-cream prepared by your Chef every time I ordered it?"
Though, the waiter was confused at that, he did nod. "See that is why there is this taste difference."
"Yeah maybe..." Before he could proceed further, the boy sitting next to her interrupted her, "Is this really important? What are you going to do with the recently acquired facts? Get up, will you?"
Pouting at him, she did follow his words, not before throwing a grateful thanks at the waiter. "Hope to see you again, Maam, Sir."
"Do you even need to tell?", Akash muttered dragging Khushi out.
**
"She asked for you again."
And as usual this statement was met with a stoic silence and then a slow nod. "Why do you refuse to meet her Chef?"
"Because I dont like interacting with my customers."
Shaking his head at them, he proceeded to leave. Yes, them since both were stubborn. That girl has been asking for him since her very first visit and he has been refusing every time. Before going home, he turned to look at his Chef and told, "She realised her fried ice-cream was not made by you."
With that the head waiter, NK had retired for the day leaving him to deal with his thoughts. "I will meet her one day, maybe. She seems to know a lot about food." He decided and grabbed his car keys. He was done for the day. As the black SUV glided in the roads, the bright board of Alaka Palazzo stood majestically immersed in the praises thrown at her.
**
It was three long weeks since she turned up. The very girl who had promised to return again, hadnt turned up. While, it was not that the same customers come back every other day, it was unusual that this particular customer hadnt turned up for almost three weeks. This made every single member of Alaka Palazzo curious and sad, including the head Chef and Owner, Arnav Singh Raizada. The very thought that ran in everyone's mind was that she had been disappointed at the change of taste during her last visit. Maybe that was keeping her away from the restaurant. Now ASR, as he was fondly addressed was curious to meet this girl.
**
The kitchen was buzzing that day. It was Sunday, no wonder the restaurant was overflowing.
#Vegtable Pulao #Chef Special Starter #Italian Sizzler and the list of dishes to be made were endless. But Arnav's sharp eyes did not miss the Fried Ice-cream order which had stood out indicating that she might be here, after four weeks of prolonged absence. It was time to meet her, after all. He sighed. But she hadn't asked for him. Maybe she decided it was futile pursuing him.
Khushi was here after four weeks. All thanks to her untimely fever which had made her bed stuck! Today was she here and alone. Yes, Akash had refused to come. Stupid boy and stupid flu! So, she was here to eat on his behalf too! The whole place gave her the pleasant ambiance she always loved. And according to her the food was out of the world. She felt a drop of magical potion was added to their dishes. The restaurant was known for their Sizzlers. The hot sizzling sizzlers made her crave for more. She had never allowed the waiters to serve it for her. She always had the whole thing! It is served in a rectangular wooden plate so as to contain the heat since wood was not a good conductor of heat. And most importantly it served only vegetarian dishes. This increased her love for this place.
She still remembered how she had made fun of the restaurants name. Seriously, who keeps such difficult-to-pronounce names? She had come with her family during her first visit and since then she had been coming but with different companions. In fact, any outsider would assume she was getting a share in the restaurants profit as she did so much of campaigning for the place. But that one complaint still lingered. The Chef! He refused to meet her. And why? She wondered. Today she was determined to meet him and she would she decided. After all she was not Khushi Krishnan for nothing. With that in mind, Khushi proceeded to call NK, who seemed to be having a busy day.
"You remember me right?" At his nod, she continued not allowing him to interrupt her, "I would like to meet one of your chefs. I am studying food journalism for which I am going around interviewing chefs. Please? This is why I have been requesting you from the first. Will you please ask him to meet me?"
And the request was perfectly conveyed and for the first time it was accepted. If NK was shocked, he did show it on his face by raising his eyebrows. But sadly he raised both eyebrows for he couldn't just raise one. He simply could not do it.
"You can meet him in his cabin." Wow! And Khushi did a big hallelujah in her mind. She was ecstatic. "Um thanks. After I finish with my fried ice-cream?" He promptly nodded his head at that and left. "After you finish let me know", were his parting words.
The familiar liquid filled her mouth as she put in the big golden brown shaped ball into her mouth. The crisp outer surface was exotically complimented by the soft flowing liquid inside. As she chewed the crispy part, the ice-cream melted and mingled with her taste buds. So much involved was she in the dessert that she failed to notice a pair of chocolate brown eyes trace her form.
After paying her bill, Khushi was led into the nameless Chefs cabin. She giggled at her own thoughts. She knocked only to receive a deep masculine 'come in' from whom she assumed was the Chef.
Arnav felt the air around him change from cool to warm fuzziness and then he heard her voice, "Thanks a lot NK."
He saw her take a moment to look around his cabin, closely inspecting the interiors and for the first time Arnav was hoping his interiors were as tastefully done as people appreciated. And then her gaze met his and he saw a slow smile bloom on her face. It really bloomed into a full dazzling smile which made her eyes to crinkle and dimples to appear.
"Hi, I am Khushi. The known stalker. She giggled at her own statement."
"Hello, I am Arnav Singh Raizada."
"Quite a mouthful isnt it?" He remarked seeing her trying to absorb his three worded name to her six lettered name. And she smiled at that and slowly nodded.
"So, NK here tells me that you are a food journalist and that you need to interview me."
He saw her stance stiffen at that and she bit her lips. He of course wondered why.
"Uh yes. Before that I would really love to appreciate the food served here. I am a fan of this place."
"Oh trust me, I have noticed that and thank you."
"And your fried ice-cream? That is simply delicious. I never leave without having it. And I recently tried your Italian Sizzler and I am seriously confused as to what I shall order the next time. And do you know what the best thing about this place is? It is a vegetarian restaurant and it is not very far from my place..."
As she rambled on, Arnav did not feel the need to put a brake to her overflowing words and he used that time to actually check her out. She was tall and wore a pair of simple Jeans and top that said 'food? Hell yeah!'. He had to suppress his grin so that he didn't end up offending her. Her waist length hair was tied in a high ponytail with few bangs covering her forehead. She wasn't thin but more on the curvy side. Her eyes were lined by the liner and a simple bindi completed her look. Oh and not to forget the tiny nose stud that glittered every now and then distracting him from her expressive eyes. He had to admit she looked simple yet beautiful. He focused back on what she was saying with utmost amusement.
"...And the cheese balls, they take you to a different place altogether as you bite into it and then there was also this Paneer platter and it was mentioned it is Chefs special, I mean how did you get that texture? The sizzling brownie...oh my love for chocolate increased a notch higher with that."
The way she was going on, he thought she might actually forget the interview she needed.
"Uh, Khushi, the interview? Her monologue came to a halt."
"Yeah um, Mr. Raizada, I was not very sure you would actually give me an opportunity to meet you. So, I well am not prepared for the interview. I hope you would not mind doing it another day?" At the end of it, she looked anywhere but at him.
He raised his eyebrow, but seeing the cute picture she was putting in front of him, he decided to put her out of her misery, "Friday works fine?"
Khushi gulped at that and nodded meekly. "Now that's great. Be here by say 5 in the evening. And I assume you have tried different cuisines and are you a cook too?"
"Cook? Yeah yeah. I am a good cook or so my people say."
"What is Khushi's special then?"
"Mine? Uh K..Kesari. It is a South Indian sweet."
"The one we make with broken rice?" Arnav asked without missing a beat.
"Yeah the same. It is orange in color usually. You know about South Indian food too? I am impressed."
"Being a chef, it is my job and yes, I would love to taste your cooking now that you have tasted mine."
"Mine? Sure one day."
And with that the meeting was wrapped up with a promise that there will be another one three days later. Khushi sighed as the meeting was over and reached over to the door knob.
"And Khushi as much as your presence was noticed, your absence was felt too." Her eyes widened at that and an unmistakable red hue spread on her cheeks. She smiled at him, a rare shy smile and exited the cabin. And Arnav felt the temperature drop.
"Heard there is another meet? I wonder what happened to I-don't-interact-with-my-customers pact." Arnav never realised that NK had come in and was standing in front of him with a dubious expression. He shrugged casually and went to the kitchen, though his heart knew that he was looking forward to this meet.
**
Khushi go open the door. As her mothers voice floated by, she flew to get the door.
"Yeah?"
"Hello, I am Meera and this is Anjali and Payal, my daughters."
"Uh hi, I am Khushi."
And that is how Khushi and her family were invited to be a part of their new neighbours Holi get together.
**
Khushi was dressed in a white anarkali with thin maroon borders at the advice of Anjali. Her hair was left open barring a small clip that held two strands. Yes, she had bonded with Anjali and Payal. While Payal was her age, Anjali was a year older. They had a brother too it seems whom Khushi was yet to meet.
All thanks to the new neighbors, the street had become colorful. For the first time, Anna Nagar was celebrating Holi. Khushi was no exception. She was too excited, though the prospect of covering yourself in colors seemed a little freaky to her. Nevertheless, she was eager as she had seen many Hindi serials and had acquainted herself with the festival of colors.
Arnav welcomed the guests with his customary smile. He never understood the need of his mother to call so many people home for Holi. "Ah, those are our immediate neighbors Arnav", Meera remarked. "Let me introduce you to them."
Khushi was so immersed in the festivities that she had missed Arnav approaching her with his mother. "Anita, Khushi, Akash, this is my son, Arnav. Where is your husband?" Khushi had zoned out of the conversation as she was shocked and stunned. "What if he finds out?!" Her mother nudged her to greet him while Arnav forwarded his hand. "Nice meeting you, again." Nobody heard that 'again' as it was discreetly told. Her cold hands were engulfed by his warm ones, the heat seeping into hers.
**
Khushi was thankful that Anjali and Payal had dragged her to their circle and so she hadn't interacted with him at all. But she could feel his burning gaze on her. He was a handsome man, she concluded. The half white sherwani complimented his tanned skin. He was intimidatingly tall, she thought. Not that he was over 6 feet (and her dad was also 6 feet), yet he fit the bill of tall, dark and handsome. His eyes were intense. Every time her eyes met his, her heart skipped a beat. This was all so new and confusing and she had to stay away from him, for her own sanity, she decided. And so, she had been royally ignoring him which meant she had to hide. This in turn made sure that she remained color-free. She couldnt help but notice that except Anjali, Payal and Meera aunty, no one had applied the colors on him.
Khushi did a quick survey of the sweets laid in front of her and was surprised to find Kesari there. She filled her plate rather quickly and found a silent spot and started munching on them. She knew the kesari was made by him, but why was her question. She spooned a little of the kesari to taste it. The sweet glided in her mouth making her moan in happiness.
"I assume the broken rice sweet tastes good, but of course not as good as yours, I guess."
Arnav' and run' seemed to flash in her mind. But she made sure to respond to him as calmly as possible. "Uh it is very good." What she failed to notice was the stress on the word 'rice'.
Seeing her mother passing by, Khushi called out to her, not wanting to remain under his gaze. She couldnt have been more wrong in assuming that he wouldnt follow her.
"Khushi? What are you doing here alone? As usual gorging. Arnav, your mother told you made the kesari, it was very tasty, after all a Chef can make no mistake." Why the hell did her mother bring the chef thing up? Khushi pouted.
"Thanks Aunty, I am glad you liked what I made with broken rice."
"Broken rice? It is semolina."
"What?" Both Anita and Arnav looked at Khushi who had suddenly turned too nervous. "Rawa? Not rice? Amma broken rice is only used."
"Yes Khushi. Just because you enter the kitchen only to eat, doesnt mean Kesari is prepared with broken rice."
"Amma, I will go call Appa. You were searching for him right?" She literally ran down the hallway to escape from Arnav. No, no make sure that you never enter Alaka Palazzo or meet him, if you want to live.
Arnav laughed out loud as he saw her racing away. She was so cute when she turned all nervous. He could easily guess she knew nothing about cooking that very day. But he had played along as he had not wanted the conversation to end. God was really kind to have made her his neighbor.
**
Khushi had had enough. She decided to go home rather than hiding from Arnav. But alas, what she wished could not happen always. A strong hand held her arm and dragged her to the poolside. She did not dare look at Arnav. When she sneaked a glance at him, she found him to be angry. 'I am so in trouble.'
"Explain."
"Well, I wanted to meet you and you refused to meet. So, I made up one excuse to meet you but then you were so focused on the interview that I had to lie. I had no intentions of lying."
"Why did you lie about your cooking ability?"
"Because I cannot obviously tell a Chef that making Maggi is my specialty." She snorted and as an afterthought added, "You caught my bluff that day, why did you play along?" She huffed in annoyance and crossed her arms.
"Well.." She felt him tug her palm and she was pulled a little closer, crossing their private space or rather invading the space that wasnt present. "I have heard Tamil Girls are smart, but never knew they turn the tables when they are at fault." Though the proximity actually made her lose her senses and go dizzy, she soon recovered seeing that smirk adorn his face.
"Well, I am glad you find us smart." With that retort she tried wiggle her hand away, only to feel his hold tightening. "That was meant to be a compliment." His voice had dropped by several octaves and the husky whisper made her shiver. She could feel the heat creep up her cheeks. She knew she was blushing and he knew it too.
"I have to go. Amma would be searching for me." Was all she could manage. "No, the last time I checked, she was busy speaking with my mom."
"Uh..Akash..yeah Akash is waiting for me."
"It is Holi Khushi and why is that I dont find a single color on you. Havent you played it before?" She shook her head in a no, the power of speech had long deserted her.
"Well, then let me have the honour of inaugurating this for you."
She could feel his warm hands linger on her right cheek before he drew it her left cheek. She closed her eyes as she felt him every slowly brush his hand on her left cheek. Soon she could feel his moist lips on her cheek. She did not want him to stop. She was turning into a mushy puddle. He was causing havoc to her senses. "Khushi, shouldn't you return the favour?"
With shaky fingers, she proceeded to apply the red powder on his left cheek and then the right one. Her fingers stayed a little longer on the area closer to his lips. His gaze had dropped to her lips and as she parted her lips, he sucked his breath. She was messing up his brain. She leaned forward as if in a trance and very soon their lips met and their tongues fought for dominance as the water glimmered under the moonlight.
As they both came up for air, he could see that she was shy. She pushed him away and ran away from him for the second time that day, when he called out, "I hope you still remember that we are supposed to meet on Friday for the interview."
She had stopped on her tracks but she did not turn around. The slight shake of her head conveyed more than what mere words could have told.
***
Happy Happy Birthday Queen of Madness! And I am so glad we met albeit late. I got someone to share my craZiness with and yes, you do inspire me. And you are the best writer. And for the record, this is the first time a stalker is writing for her writer. And I know this is bad, but bura na mano holi hain 😆 I love you minty! 🤗
P.S: Thanks asrcraze, barsha_dash and -Friedriceji- For what, you all know! :)
Happy Happy Holi and Easter to all celebrating it!
Meet Kesari:
Meet fried ice cream (in the banner too):
Me and my Khushi:
Cricket
Anupamaa
10