MehRya FF: Discovering the Magic Chapter28 pg148 (10/12) - Page 34

Chapter #9

Malik knew exactly when his companion became mindful of her surroundings when Mehek stopped suddenly, as soon as she entered the eatery. Prior to their arrival, her private thoughts had transcended most of his attempts to make small talk with the young woman. Plainly, the distractions of her day had not left her. Unlike earlier, though, when her plight had emboldened her creativity, this evening the results were not as ideal. If he had his druthers, their shared ride to the restaurant would not have been punctuated with as many of the conversation lapses there had been. Nor would she have fiddled with her mobile as much as she had: expectantly... definitely: hopefully. He had been keen to note all the same, that while it was plain that she was anxious to commune with someone; she was not willing to take the first step to do so herself. The notion of a lover's spat had come to his mind immediately. Considering his own burgeoning interest in her, it would be worth discovery if this was the case, but first would be the need to get her full attention.

"Oh...Wow."

Malik took the opportunity to step closer and usher Mehek further into the teahouse whose colorful interior had claimed another victim. Juxtaposed against the building's staid exterior, the hip space had been designed to whisk its patrons, into an artsy environment that immediately spoke to a noteworthy dining experience in store for them.

"It's amazing isn't it," he asked as they approached the small dais.

He was greeted by name, and with a quick hug from the bubbly hostess, who straight away offered what looked to be a favored corner table to the chef.

Once seated, Malik deferred the offer of the menu for the moment and addressed his companion. "Would you be offended if I ordered for you, Mehek?"

She turned a full wattage smile on him, having been pulled out her doldrums on viewing the display of eclectic art that covered every vertical space of the restaurant. "Nahi, if I can't trust a fellow chef to select something good than who can I? Plus, it will give me more time to explore everything."

Malik shook his head and then turned around and spoke in hushed tones to the waitress who had arrived. When he finished he turned back to see that Mehek had moved a few tables down and was now studying one piece of artwork close-up. Just as he was about to hail her, she pivoted and met his gaze with a happy countenance that had him responding in kind.

"I really like this place," she said as she slipped back into her seat. "If the food is half as good as the decor..."

"Trust me, it is. Mike, the owner, would have it no other way."

"Aacha, so not only are you a frequent customer, you are also on a first name with the proprietor."

"Actually, we are quite good friends. We got to know each other at work. He was a colleague, until he left Disney to explore other options."

"Really? I can't imagine why anyone would want to leave; the chance to work with them seems a dream itself."

Malik knew a moment of satisfaction; this had to be the best news he would gather this evening, and best of all it had taken very little prodding to get it out of her. That already, she had this view of her work would definitely be advantageous in the company's pursuit of the talented woman on a permanent basis. And, of course that would be A-Okay with him. He smiled a silly grin at her.

"Well, I for one, am very glad you are enjoying your time here, Mehek."

She hadn't realized until then, when that genuine smile crossed his face, how handsome her co-chef was, or how deep his dimples were. Nor their capability to render her speechless for a moment. She knew she was staring, and realized after a second that so was he in return. it was a little awkward to be honest. Blushing, she averted her gaze from his unexpected scrutiny. Thankfully she was saved from having to explain the growing lapse by the return of their waitress carrying a tray holding two large steamy mugs. She looked down in surprise when the cup was placed before her and then back up.

"Enjoy... your food will be up momentarily," the server specified.

About to exclaim her delight at the surprise of what looked to be an authentic cup of chai, Mehek was interrupted by her companion.

"Before we get to enjoying this I wonder if we can agree to do one thing." He took his mobile out of its holder, and switched it to vibrate before placing in on the table. He nodded in her direction in hopes that she would follow suit. "Being so far from home, I can imagine how much of a lifeline your phone is, but considering the time difference, I think it's safe to say that neither of your family or friends, unless they are total insomniacs are awake now." He watched with interest as she dawdled despite the logic he had presented her. Unquestionably, if not wanting to reach someone, she wanted to ensure her availability should whoever it was, attempted to contact her. He continued, hoping to get her undivided attention.

"Too often, we let ourselves remain tuned into these devices, so much that we often lose out on the simple pleasures life has to offer by being so inattentive: like another's company."

He was right, Mehek thought, and she had wasted enough time today hoping that Shaurya would at least come back online, so that she could respond to his unjust indictment of her plans. But he hadn't, and fool that she was, she had allowed the offence to take root and fester, to the point that she was running the risk of being unfair to someone who had been so kind to her from the get-go.

"You are so right, Malik," she said, placing her phone next to his, and then raised her mug for her first taste of the spice laden tea. It was just as good as the aroma had suggested. She closed her eyes in bliss at the comforting beverage.

"Now that's settled, tell me how this place could have one of the best chai brews I have had in goodness knows how long," she asked.

"Well rumor has it that the owner is great friends with one who would be able to guide him on such matters."

**********

...Shaurya?

...Home already, MS?

...That's not important, what is, is why you are up so early this morning when you should be still resting?

Shaurya smiled over her apparent worry over him; that and the fact that she was back where she should be. Home and far away from that man.

... I'm sorry your date fell through.

He suspected that his words read as insincere as they were, however he needed to bridge the gap somehow after he had been so abrupt with her earlier in the day. He was just so glad that she had reached out to him at all after his obstinacy to retract anything he had said. He was about to add to his chat, when she sent her own

...It didn't. Why would you think it had? I'm - we're actually here still having our meal. It's a great little place; the food is simple, but really, very good. And I have had the best two cups of chai I've had in days.

...So if not the meal, it's the company that is so awful. Are you hiding from him in the washroom stall then?

... Not that it's any of your concern, but Malik has stepped away...

...Aacha: like I said his company is so lacking that you resorted to reaching out to me at the first opportunity.

...Maybe

...Or Maybe I just wanted to rub it in what an amazing time I'm having with a good-looking guy who has treated me with nothing but respect the entire time and not as shabbily as supposed friend who acted like I was some characterless woman for deciding to have a meal with a co-worker.

For the first time, it occurred to him how she could have taken his comments, and may have been offended by them.

...I never, ever said that, MS.

... Nahi, but it was inferred. And it wasn't appreciated. I'm sure if the situation was reversed, Malik wouldn't have had an issue with it. He would probably have given me that cute smile that shows his dimples, and sent me on my way wishing me a good time.

"Only if he was a fool," Shaurya muttered to himself, as he switched back to the images his search had brought up. Unbeknownst to MS, her chat was giving him just the sort of specific detail he was lacking. Who knew there would be more than one Chef Malik in the area? But only one, Shaurya thought with dimples. Correct that he thought, his irritation rising: a good-looking guy with a cute smile and dimples. Women, he thought, rolling his eyes at thought of her description of the man. Still it had eliminated the alternative. He supposed the man left could be classified as appealing to an impressionable young woman. He decided there and then, that he detested the photogenic man he had determined to be his rival.

...Probably because he would have trusted me, you know, just as he had asked me to give him the benefit of the doubt and trust him. I probably wouldn't even have had to ask him this favor, because hopefully in the course of our previous dealings with each other, he would have gotten a hunch of the type of person I was, and treated me accordingly. And that no matter how handsome my dinner date was, that I wouldn't be so easily swayed by anything as superficial a guy's dimples. Haan, he would definitely trusted me.

...I just wonder why you didn't, Shaurya?

And just as suddenly as he had, she logged off.

That did not bode well, Shaurya thought. She was angry, and rightfully so.

*********

"Mehek Sharma, you broke the rules."

Flushed, Mehek stared up at Malik. She hadn't been able to resist when the opportunity had arisen. The resulting discovery of her quarry being online had been the reward, so it made no sense to do anything but hold on to phone now that she had been caught red-handed. She nodded instead. And then she smiled.

"Ji, but now that I have gotten what I needed to say off my chest, I feel so much better."

"Now, that has a certain bloodthirsty tone to it. I admit to being extremely curious. A sibling spat, or something a little more interesting? I cannot imagine that it could be anyone but a beau that you would feel the need to set straight at this time of day."

"I'd rather not say," Mehek deferred, not knowing how she would define her relation with the man who had infuriated her so.

"Ah now, Mehek, where is the fun in that," the grinning man retorted as he took his seat across from her.

Embarrassed now, Mehek went on the defense.

"Thik hai, if you want to find fun in our conversation Malik, how about you tell me why I am here having dinner with you? What I mean to say is that you are sweet and caring, and not at all like..." she stopped suddenly, and after a moment's pause cleared her throat. "Long story short, Malik, someone should have snatched you up a long time ago."

He didn't take offense, and instead burst out laughing. "Are you sure my mother didn't call while I was away, Mehek," indicating that his single status may be a bone of contention for his parent. "So," he continued, "are you thinking that I am too old, or just unappealing" he teasingly questioned. "I don't know, I would like to hope that some might find something likeable in the aged creature I am."

Mehek didn't doubt it: kindness and a sense a humor were definite plusses in her eyes.

"Nahi, that's not it at all. Never mind; forget everything I've said. Let me just say thank you for now, I needed this outing more than I ever thought I would."

"Entirely my pleasure, Mehek. Perhaps if my old bones recover sufficiently from this outing, we can do this again. Without the need to grocery shop being the impetus, that is."

***********

Malik Varma

Occupation: Executive Chef

Born: 1985

Looking over from the quick facts of the chef's bio, to again study the image of the man who right now, was most likely in the throes of a major charm offensive, Shaurya frowned. At 32 the chef was too old: far too experienced for MS. Well versed with the sort who perpetually targeted on and preyed on younger, unworldly females, Shaurya's jaw tightened. Not to say that Malik in particular, was of this ilk, but in her message, it was clear that MS had seen something she liked in the man. At the very least the man's appearance held some appeal to her.

And with his surly disposition, he had given her enough ammunition for her opinion to sway in the direction of a more affable candidate.

He was his own worst enemy. Never had it more clear than right now, Shaurya contemplated. All because he couldn't handle the fact that she was doing something not out of the ordinary in the real world, where two colleagues could meet outside of work, with no strings attached. Deep down he knew why he had reacted the way he had, but there was no way without an explanation would MS understand. Instead, all he had done in showing his instant distrust, was to open the chance for her to consider him a waste of her time.

She had been right, he hadn't even been forthcoming with a fraction of the trust, that he had thought he had deserved when he had asked her for a second chance. Instead of falling back on the understanding of each other's natures: the justification that he had insisted form the basis that she believe in him, he had let his baseless jealousy engulf him, and rout any chance of him looking at the situation as anything other than an act of betrayal. She didn't even have to tell him of her plans; after all that is what a truly duplicitous woman would have done. But she had, even recognizing that it would upset him. And in response to that, what had he done: everything wrong. He was undoubtedly the biggest fool known to man.

He had no choice but go into restoration mode before it was too late.

********

Smiling, Mehek packed away the last of the groceries, taking her newly purchased recyclable grocery bags and storing them in the tiny utility closet afterward. It had felt good to leave behind the weightiness of life for a little while. She had to admit that she really had enjoyed Malik's company this evening. He had shown her completely different side beyond the professional man she had come to know, and she realized how nice it was to enjoy a no strings attached amity. They hadn't exactly scheduled a follow-up get-together, given their busy schedules, instead deciding to play it by ear if or when they would next meet. However, should all else fail, Mehek had wholeheartedly committed to a dance or two at the gala to be held in conjunction with the Food and Wine Festival, that they would both attend. After a fun filled grocery shop, accented with a shared interest in her menu plans for home, ever the consummate gentleman, Malik had assisted her with her bags up to her suite, but that's it. Mindful of her long day, and probably, Mehek thought, of their changed status, he had thought it best not to linger, and left soon after. The fact that he had remained just outside her door listening for her to set the lock was endearing, and she had returned his farewell through the barrier of door appreciative of his concern.

Checking the time, she decided that she would log on for a bit, now that there would be a better chance of catching everyone at home. She knew that they would all want to know how her day had gone, and she was eager to share news of her success as well. Sonal, she was certain would be especially interested in her after work activities, but this was to be expected from her life-long friend. She missed her; well, all of them, yet she was amazed how easy it was acclimating to her new job and this new environment. Obviously not every day would be as good as this one had proven to be, but at this rate her four months will be over in a blink of an eye, and soon she would have to start considering what her next steps would be. For that of course, she would need to speak to her family, but if today was any indication, she suspected she knew the path her heart would lead her, should the opportunity arise.

About an hour later, her cheeks were hurting from the amount of smiling she had done. She had managed time with all of them, and was so glad that she had. It was so good to connect with her family, and Mehek would have chosen to continue longer, had she been unable to stifle the yawn that had slipped out, while she was on the skype call with Kanta Chachi. Immediately Chachi had ordered her to take rest; an edict relayed with the maternal affection that Mehek had come to rely on over the years. Chachi's mothering was the perfect conclusion to a mixed bag of a day; although in all truth the highs had outweighed the one low point, as significant as it had felt at the time.

And because she wanted to end her day with the peace of mind that had finally come to her, she decided to ignore the message she had received from Shaurya Khanna. Tomorrow, Mehek thought, would be soon enough to grapple with the strange commitment she had made to the perplexing man.

Chapter10