Originally posted by: Chahat_A_Doshi
#PulaoStories
Rishabh, Kuki and Sha(i)Tan are at the breakfast table. Fresh fruit, fresh fruit juices, toast, milk, cereal etc. was laid in front of them. They had the habit to have this for breakfast from forever. Since Sha(i)Tan liked this hassle free breakfast so if ever the staff was not there they would not have to make hot breakfast for Rishabh and Kuki. Chandu serves breakfast to thethree adults. “Chandu, Mrs. Bajaj kahan hai?” Rishabh asked as she was the one who served breakfast to him and Kuki. “Sir, madam kitchen mein hain Kuki baby ke liye naashta bana rahi hai.” “Kuki ke liye alag se?” “Jee wo madam upma bana rahi hain.” Prerna insisted that they or at least Kuki should have poha, upma, idlis that type of breakfast, she was a growing child. Rishabh liked it that Prerna took care of their daughter in every way. He too would love to eat a hot breakfast if only she would make for him too or at least get what was left after she made Kuki eat but today “Upma?” Kuki and Rishabh both made a face hearing Upma. Prerna knew her daughter did not like the healthy upma because of the veggies she put in it. She smiled at looking at the plate. “Aaj dekhti hoon Kuki kaise upma naahi khati.”
She comes and places the plate in front of Kuki. The little girl was very happy on seeing the plate. Her mother had made her a cartoon breakfast, like the one she had seen on TV. A round face of upma, two peas as eyes, a red capsicum slice for the smile, broccoli hair and a carrot frill. Sha(i)Tan make a face and leave. Rishabh can’t take his eyes off of Kuki’s plate. He was smiling wider than her. Prerna while serving milk to Kuki saw Rishabh’s smile and also the face he made when he saw his own breakfast. Kuki enjoyed her breakfast while he forced himself to have his.
At the office, Rishabh used to eat the canteen lunch along with his employees. If it was good enough for them it was for him too plus it was an extra way to make sure that the food the caterers provided was of top quality. “Sir,ghar se lunch aaya hai.” His peon informed him. “Zaroor maasi ne bheja hoga.”Sharda did not like the Rishabh Bajaj eating canteen lunch with employees. He told the peon too leave the tiffin. The same smile which when he had seen Kuki’s breakfast plate appeared on his face. SHE had sent it for him. She had used cookie cutters of various shapes and made baby parathas, the pea pulao was decorated with carrot butterflies and cucumber flowers, the green grapes and cherry tomatoes were skewered like caterpillars. He took a picture of the lunch spread before enjoying the delicious food. Lekin RB toh RB hai, he has taken a liking to irritate his wifey. “Mrs. Bajaj, ye kya tha? Main koi baccha hoon jo aapne mujhe aise lunch pack karke bheja aur waise bhi aapko pata hai na ki main canteen food khata hoon.” She had put in so much effort and not a thank you. “I’m sorry, mujhe laga aapko accha lagega. Wo maine socha tha ki week mein 2 days aapko aise lunch bhejoongi lekin ab aapko accha nahi laga toh…” “Maine kab kaha ki mujhe accha nahi laga. Mrs. Bajaj stop jumping to conclusions and assuming things. Than kyou for the lunch. Toh M-W-F or T-T-S?” “Jee?” “I mean week ke kaunse 3 days aap aise lunch bhejengi?” “3 days? Maine toh sirf 2 days ka socha tha.” “Mrs.Bajaj sochne ka kaam aap mere liye rehne dijiye aap bas cooking par concentrate karen.” Both say bye, disconnect the call and keep staring at the phone smiling wide.