Arhi OS : Agar tum saath ho...
*Flashback in maroon italics
Like always, the kitchen was sheer chaos. The chefs were at work, preparing the various delicacies off their distinctive menu. The rattle of cutlery and banging of pans, overpowered the shouts of orders that were being placed continuously. No one had a moment's respite to even breathe. And this was their regular routine. The restaurant "Khushiyon Ka Khazana," commonly known as K3 had a regular flow of clientele, be it the weekends or weekdays. It was located near Mumbai's popular monument, the Gateway of India. Considering the inflow of foreigners into the area, the travelers always dropped in to get a taste of authentic Awadhi cuisine and within a span of three years, it had not only become popular amongst the people, but had won accolades at the Times Food Awards as well.
"A little more salt is required for marinating this chicken, Kunal. Why do you always add less salt? The recipe to perfect kebabs is marination. And salt has to be just perfect, not more, not less," the sweet voice of their beloved head chef alerted everyone. Despite her kindness, she hated messing up with food and that was one of the reasons why everyone at K3 was a perfectionist. "Sorry Khushi. I just never understand this kissa namak ka," Kunal joked, earning a whack from Khushi. "By the way, Happy Birthday!" he wished, joined in by the entire staff, singing the birthday song for their darling boss.
Khushi blushed, the colour of her bright red saree... her thoughts going to the children of her beloved orphanage she came from. Muskaan, a small yet beautiful orphanage in Lucknow, was her home for most of her childhood. Losing her parents at the young age of four and not wanted to be taken care by any of her relatives, she had been put into this orphanage... and that was one of the best things happened in her tragic life. How else would she have met him otherwise? She froze in her tracks, as a memory flashed across her mind... birthday celebrations of all the children in her orphanage... on the exact same day!
"I want more cake," demanded a tiny five-year-old Khushi, still unaware of how drastically her life had changed. She no more had her parents, who would fulfill all her demands. She now had to share every bit of love, of affection, of pampering, with the forty odd children in Muskaan. The other children were busy gorging on their tiny pieces of cake, relishing it to the fullest. Being a sweet tooth since her birth, Khushi had gobbled up her piece and now wanted some more. Trying to grab the attention of their caretaker, she asked again, "Can I get more cake please?" The kind lady turned her attention to Khushi and with sad eyes replied, "Sorry beta, but as you see the cake is already over. Why don't you have the sandwich instead?"
Khushi pouted adorably, sadness taking over her heart as she rushed to her secret haven, her favourite swing... a place she enjoyed the freedom of rising above everyone. It was the one place she loved being alone in, chatting with her parents to her hearts content, telling them about her daily life, asking them when they would return and take her home. As she sat on the swing sullenly staring at the ground, a piece of cake was thrust, right under her nose, making her look up immediately. Her hazel eyes bore into a pair of intense melting browns. It was the new boy who had joined Muskaan, a couple of months ago.
"Take this," he said bluntly, unsmiling in return of her small smile. Khushi shook her head and replied, "No. This is yours. I don't want it." He rolled his eyes at her, knowing well how much she was craving to have this cake. Her eyes trained on the tiny piece, her small tongue flicking out to lick her lips... made him chuckle as he said calmly, "I have diabetes. I am not allowed any sweet. So I will have to throw it away anyway." She looked at him confused and asked cutely, "Dibatis? What is that?" He chuckled once more hearing the pronunciation of his disease and helped her out, "I can't eat sweet Khushi. I am not allowed. I will fall sick if I eat sweet."
She looked at him with eyes as wide as huge buttons. She was unable to fathom the concept that a child could fall ill eating sweets. She suddenly felt bad for him and reached out for the piece he had thrust forward. Quickly gobbling it up she looked at him and said, "See? Now you wont fall ill. There is no cake at all." She smiled at him brightly and he could not help but reach forward and pull her chubby cheek. "Thank you," he mumbled and sat himself on the swing besides her.
"How do you know my name," she asked innocently. He gave her one of his rare smiles and replied, "You are quite popular amongst the kids. And there are not too many of us. I am Arnav, by the way." She smiled and jumped off the swing, thrusting her hand forward to say, "Nice to meet you Arnav and thank you for the cake. Now that we are friends, I will introduce you to all my other friends, so that you won't feel left out like you usually do. I have noticed how you always stand in the sidelines and not mix up with children."
Khushi had seen amazement in his eyes at her mature words and had held her hand, nodded in accent to her thoughts. Those were the first few of the many memorable moments she had spent with her childhood bestie, a bond that had started with the sweet cake, spreading sweetness through their lonely life in the orphanage. Arnav Raizada, a reclusive, short-tempered boy, merely three years older to her, had not only been her support system, but also her first crush... and somehow, he had been her last.
"Hey Khushi, do you plan to leave early today? What plans for the night, girl?" asked an excited Payal, who was her right hand at her beloved restaurant. "Nothing much. You know how things are in K3 on weekends. NK will get unnecessarily pissed, if he comes to know that I am missing. He has already sent me an expensive gift, to compensate for not allowing me to leave early," Khushi replied morosely. Even though she had no plans or company to spend her birthday evening with, she would have loved some alone time, to reminiscence the past and wonder what her dear friend would be doing, to celebrate his birthday.
"Whatever you say Khushi, I think NK really likes you. I am actually surprised that he hasn't yet asked you out," Payal teased, knowing well, that Khushi hated this kind of discussions. Khushi glared at her and tried to focus on the biryani she was preparing. Payal's words were kind of true and unknown to her, NK had already asked Khushi out a few months ago. She had of course refused, her heart unwilling to latch onto anyone other than Arnav. From the moment he had shared his cake with her, she had slowly and steadily fallen for him and NK or anyone for that matter, didn't stand a chance. Her thoughts flitted back to the first time she had met NK.
After Arnav had been offered a scholarship in the Delhi University three years ago, Khushi got the opportunity and funding to pursue her love for food. She had landed a seat in the prestigious Dadar Catering College, Mumbai. The three years of separation from her best friend had been sheer torture. With not too much money to spend on phone, and very limited access to the internet, they had tried to remain in touch through letters. She would sit on her favourite swing and re-read his letters a thousand times over, just to feel close to him. He had become her only family and his absence had drained all her enthusiasm to remain at Muskaan. Needing to complete her board exams before trying her luck in Delhi, so she could meet with him again, when the opportunity to travel to Mumbai had first arrived, she had flatly refused.
"No, I said I am not going to Mumbai, Arnav. It is for three years and by then you will graduate and apply at an international university. I know your dreams Arnav and I have missed you so much. I want to study in Delhi so that we can stay close for atleast a few years," she had said stubbornly. "Khushi please stop being ridiculous. It is about your future. This is a great opportunity for what you have always wanted to do. Remember all the times you fed me with all those delicious dishes you invented. You are super talented Khushi and your knowledge of the food palate is outstanding. Please don't give it up for me," he had tried reasoning it out with her.
"I don't care Arnav. I have missed you. Our swing misses you. All my food experiments miss you. I can try to get into a catering college in Delhi too," she tried her best but in vain as he replied, "Khushi, I miss you too. Par yaad rakhna, ki yeh zindagi bahut lambi hai. A few years away from each other is not going to separate us. We shall meet soon. For now we have to work hard and make our parents proud. Don't you want your amma and babuji to smile down upon seeing their daughter successful?"
Finally after a lot of coaxing and convincing, Khushi had agreed. How was she to tell him, that she was scared to lose him? Her fear of him finding a better girl... a stronger friendship in Delhi, was eating her up slowly. Jealousy towards an unknown face... in fact towards someone who might not even exist in the first place, had closed her up and as her shift to Mumbai had taken place, the distance between them had only widened. Three years of hard work had won her many accolades academically and landed her in front of Nandkishore Oberoi, the son of very rich businessmen, who was interested in opening up new restaurants.
They had hit it off instantly, and had planned to open up an authentic Awadhi food restaurant, allowing Khushi to craft the entire menu and also have a small stake in it. It was a thrilling opportunity for a newcomer and Khushi had only been too thrilled to take it up. However, her heart had remained with the man, who she had lost complete touch with in the last few years. The last they had talked was two years ago, when he had told her about finishing his masters from Harvard and joining the business of the family, who had sponsored his education. After that, they had somehow lost touch and off all the days, today, she felt overwhelmed thinking about her friend... who made everything right in her world... whose presence had been like a boon to her deserted life... who took away all her sorrows and had filled her life with such happiness and hope... who might be celebrating his birthday today, with his girlfriend... or wife?
The crowd was maddening today, and Khushi seemed to be flustered, what with managing the saree while whipping up dishes. Even though she only had to supervise, she loved helping out the staff on such chaotic days. She loved to cook and she loved to feed people. The brightening of their eyes as they savored the dishes, brought a sense of calm to her heart. It had all began with Khushi trying to make Arnav's favourite bhindi sabzi, in the small kitchen of Muskaan. She still remembered his reaction, while she had waited with baited breath.
"Hmmm," he licked the bowl clean, licking his fingers to polish the crispy crumbs off his fingertips. His eyes were shining with pure joy, so rare and precious to Khushi. "This was delicious Khush. The best dish I have ever had in Muskaan. They should definitely let you cook more. You are natural at it," Arnav said genuinely, warmth and affection radiating from him. It was for these kind of words, that Khushi had begun cooking often... for Arnav and then gradually for a lot of children in Muskaan. Her dishes had become a hit, whereas her specialty remained the desserts.
"I wish you could have a bit of this cake, Arnav. It really has turned out to be delicious. Why! Why do you have diabetes? And like I read in one of the cookbooks Rahim chacha got for me, we don't have sugarfree in the kitchen to prepare sweets," Khushi sulked, seeing everyone enjoying her chocolate cake, except her best friend. Arnav held her hand and pulled her closer saying, "Don't worry Khush, zindagi bahut lambhi hai... someday, when you will become a hot-shot chef... I will enjoy eating everything you make."
Khushi had smiled brightly at his words. Like always, her friend brought along with him an ocean-full of hope and happiness. All her sorrows seemed to melt away around him. He had been her friend, her family, her well-wisher and everything that a lover would be. All she needed was him with her... hamesha. And that was exactly what she couldn't get... him, with her... together. They had drifted apart and she wondered if he even remembered her. Was he missing her today, like she was? Did he miss the special cake she made on their birthday? Did he miss her at all?
Tears welled up in her eyes as her heart overflowed with a million emotions and memories. "Khushi, there is a customer outside, who wants to meet with the chef. He wants to compliment you on the free sugar-free cake that we are serving today. Wasie, you never told me the story behind sharing a "sugar-free" cake to customers, on your every birthday. Koi back-story hai kya?" Payal asked, unknown to the emotional turmoil Khushi was going through. A few tears leaked down her face shocking Payal.
"Hey sweetie, what happened? Why are you crying?" Payal asked unsurely. Khushi shook her head and mumbled incoherently, "Nothing. Let me just go and freshen up before I head out." Before she could be cornered and asked anything more, Khushi rushed to the washroom to wash her face. She did not know why, but today of all the days, she felt extremely low and depressed. In the last three years, she had never given up hope to see Arnav again. His words, "zindagi bahut lambi hai..." always made her look at the brighter side of life. However, with each passing day, her confidence had broken down bit by bit, making her feel lonelier then ever in this huge wide world.
Quickly splashing water on her face, Khushi grabbed a few tissue papers and made a mad dash towards the restaurant area. The night was young, as melodious music floated in the ambience. The dim lighting, the constant chattering, the insistent laughter... Khushi was ignorant to everything, her heart aching for the one man, whose presence meant the world to her and whose absence had been eating her up from within. Trying to put on a cheerful face, she walked towards the table number mentioned by her junior. It was on the far corner, towards the windows that faced the monument of Gateway. It gave a small peak of the ocean, flooded by a million tiny boats. Her feet slowed down the moment she was near, her eyes taking in the familiar frame of the very same man whose thoughts had been tormenting her all day.
"Khushi..." he breathed, a mere whisper yet it resonated in her heart like a bell. She had become more stunning than he remembered. It had been six years since they had seen each other in person; three years since they had lost all touch. Life was tough and to become successful you had to pay a price... a price as big as the tears that filled her hazel eyes. They were the most enchanting pair of eyes he had ever seen. He still remembered the first time they had spoken to each other... and it were these same tears that had threatened to make their way down her chubby cheeks that had stolen his heart.
He quickly reduced the gap between them and wiped away the first tear that rolled down her cheek. "No Khushi... you know I hate it when you cry," he said huskily. "Then why do you always make me cry?" she asked as innocently, as if she were the same twelve-year-old, asking him this question. It was a time during their exams that he had to almost threaten her to focus only on her studies and forget about all rest. Some boys in the orphanage had started playing pranks with her and this innocent idiot would play along, unknown to their mockery.
"Then why do you always make me cry?" she asked. Arnav ran a frustrated hand through his hair. "Listen Khushi, I won't be around here anymore, since I leave for Delhi post the vacations. But let me warn you that Shyam and his friends are no good. They are cheap and always try to make a joke out of you. Stay away from them... please... for me," he requested earnestly. She wiped away her tears and replied, "Fine. I wont. But you need not have yelled at me in front of everyone. They think that I let you bully me... and I hate it that they think so wrong of you. I don't care about myself, Arnav... but you are my best friend and I will punch any one who says a word against you." He chuckled at her cuteness as his heart twisted in his chest. How crazily he was going to miss his happiness.
"God! I have missed you so much," he said with emotion, devouring her form, making a face seeing the amount of weight she had lost. He liked her chubby and cute. Even though she looked absolutely curvaceous and very much a woman now, still the memory of his adorable child-like Khushi was imprinted in his mind. He raised his hand to wipe away her tear, which was brushed off arrogantly by her as she asked, "Missed me, really? Three bloody years... you were gone... and you say you have missed me? You got to be kidding me!" Khushi wiped her own tears, anger and frustration coursing through her veins towards this obnoxious man!
Arnav chuckled, seeing how easily she could switch her moods... from sad to angry... and how he loved his angry kitten, who could scratch anyone who tried to annoy her... and it was not just her... she had always stood up against the other boys in Muskan, who tied to mock and tease him about his past. Wasn't that how slowly and steadily she had become his family, his everything? His hopeless life, his broken heart, had mended slowly and steadily... healing him. She was his point of sanity, his ray of hope for a bright future and the only reason he had flung himself in studies and work, to make a life that would keep her happy.
"Well if its acceptable in your work ethics, I would love to share this cake with you. I heard its sugar-free... and then maybe take you out to eat your favourite pav bhaji? Isn't that your Mumbai's specialty? Then we can talk and you can crib to your hearts content," Arnav said hesitantly. She smiled at that and replied eagerly, "I would like that very much. And anyways, this dessert is on me. It's my birthday you see?" Arnav laughed heartily at that, knowing her small taunt about not wishing her yet. But then she hadn't wished him either. So he cocked an eyebrow and asked, "Oh really? Then it definitely calls for a celebration. What is your house specialty chef Khushi? By the way I must compliment you on the delicious biryani that I just had. Although I still miss the egg Maggie that you used to make... actually I am craving for some already. Maybe after your pav bhaji..."
He stopped abruptly, knowing well that they had a ton of things to talk about. The last few years had passed by in a blur of mounting work pressure and cracking deals. Had she moved on in life? Like the taste of food, had her taste in men changed too? An unknown fear engulfed his heart as he saw her pulling off her apron. Gosh! She looked absolutely ravishing. A red saree was his undoing. Had she dressed up in red for him? His heart thrilled at that thought and for the first time a silent Arnav, had the urge to talk, ask a million questions and just tell her everything that they he been through in the last few years.
How he wanted to tell her he loved her! He had loved her since the first time he had seen her... in those tiny pigtails, laughing hysterically as the swing rose higher in the sky. It was such a rare carefree laughter he had heard, in his tormenting childhood days. It had infused a fresh breath of life in his dejected heart, making him want to stay close to this happiness that melted each sorrow... that made each day bearable. Clearing his mind and his throat, he said, "I mean, surprise me with something sweet. I can eat a little bit now you know." He winked at her, knowing well, the way she used to feel frustrated not being able to feed him some of her special desserts.
Sitting across from him at her restaurant table, she ushered one of her juniors, who could not stop grinning at her, seeing the scene unfolding in front of his eyes. Soon there were two dishes in front of them. "Well, this is rabri... K3's specialty and today's special cake... in honor of Muskaan's birthday celebrations. And both are sugar-free," she said with twinkling eyes, excited to have him taste her dessert for the first time. He immediately dug into the rabri and moaned in pleasure. Her hands were magic and her recipe's had always been enthralling. Raising the spoon to her, he urged her to have a spoonful.
Her eyes teared up as she whispered, "I can't believe you are here... we are here, like this... celebrating our birthday's together. Happy birthday Arnav." He smiled and leaned forward taking her hand in his. The love shining in her eyes for him was undeniable and without thinking for even one extra moment, he raised her hand to her lips and whispered, "Happy birthday Khush. Come lets cut our birthday cake and get the hell out of here. I hear Marine Drive is a very romantic place to just walk and talk." His teasing words and that featherlike kiss had her stomach churning in pleasure. She had always known him like the brooding kinds. This flirty Arnav was new... and much to her pleasure, was welcoming.
They ate the cake in silence, their eyes dancing and chattering like long-lost friends. The presence of one another in their lives was what had pulled them through the difficulties of life. Unknown to either, their dreams had interwoven and had become one. The austerity of life always melted when they were together and now there was no reason for them to remain apart. As Arnav and Khushi walked out of the buzzing restaurant, their hearts were at ease, at finally being in company of its other half. They walked along the dark street, a man in suit and a woman in red, lost in a world of their own, talking about the time they had missed and the time that awaited them. All they needed was to be together... for each other. That was love, that was happiness... always-together... saath-saath.
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Song Reference:
[YOUTUBE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sK7riqg2mr4[/YOUTUBE]
Pal bhar thahar jaao
Dil ye sambhal jaaye
Kaise tumhe roka karun
Meri taraf aata har gham phisal jaaye
Aankhon mein tum ko bharun
Bin bole baatein tumse karun
Agar tum saath ho
Behti rehti..
Nahar nadiya si teri duniya mein
Meri duniya hai teri chaahaton mein
Main dhal jaati hoon teri aadaton mein
gar tum saath ho
Teri nazron mein hai tere sapne
Tere sapno mein hai naraazi
Mujhe lagta hai ke baatein dil ki
Hoti lafzon ki dhokebaazi
Tum saath ho ya na ho kya fark hai
Bedard thi zindagi bedard hai
Agar tum saath ho...
To Lolwa (Miss.Zaidi)... I kept my promise. I hope you liked the OS.
Nahi pasand aaya toh bhi haan bolna. 🤗
❤️ Wishing everyone, a very Happy Valentines Day! ❤️
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