Kitchen politics - fiction (Final Chapter updated - Page 36) - Page 4

Originally posted by: GHKPM

This sounds interesting & promising...looking forward to more😊🌹

Will update soon. Thanks for the lovely comment.😳

Chapter 2

The much awaited day had finally arrived. Shaurya was himself supervising all the arrangements for the feast. He had carefully curated the menu and prepared a few selected items as well. After the dinner, the guest of honour called Shaurya and Tej.

“Thank you, Mr. Sabharwal. It was a beautiful arrangement. And the meal was delectable. I can see that you have tried to do a fusion of Indian and Mediterranean cuisine. The results are quite interesting, I must say.” Then he turned to the CM standing beside him and said, “Do you know Mr. Singh, on my last visit to Chandigarh, I got the chance to eat at a nondescript eatery in a corner of the street. They offered an entirely authentic Indian platter without the use of any exotic ingredients. The taste has stayed with me till now. That was a once in a lifetime experience.

“Really, so you have been to Chandigarh before?” Tej asked curiously.

“It was more than two decades ago. I came here as a tourist. We met some college students who informed us about that place. I think the name of the eatery was..” Before he could finish, the chief minister saw someone and said, “Excuse me Sir, I had specially ordered this dessert for you. Would you like to taste it?”

“Well, I can never say no to food. Where is it?”

Shaurya noticed a girl outside the restaurant gate handing over a basket to one of the chief minister’s staff. He couldn’t hear what they were speaking but it seemed she declined to enter the restaurant. She then tried to catch a glimpse of the interiors when her eyes met his. He has never seen such soulful eyes before. The girl quickly looked away and left the place.

The staff brought the basket to them and said, “They apologised for the delay. Actually the car was stuck in a traffic jam.”

“If you don’t mind. May I know what dessert you brought for our guest? Is it something that is not available with us?” Tej asked the chief minister.

“Please don’t take it otherwise, Mr. Sabharwal. The minister is a food connoisseur. That is why I had to find the best that is available in my state for him. Your desserts are great but if you taste this one, you will see why nothing else comes close. I have been a fan of their besan ka halwa ever since my daughter introduced me to them about a year ago. I have a box packed for you as well.” The CM directed one of his staff to give him a packet.

Shaurya could sense from Tej’s expression that he was seething from this double humiliation. He extended his hand and took the packet on his uncle’s behalf. He then looked at the logo. “KICAS” He said out loud.

“It is a cooking school but they take food orders as well.” The staff member said.

Later that night in Sabharwal House, Devi got anxious seeing Tej so silent.

“What is the matter Tej? You have been very quiet ever since you returned from the feast.”

“That woman doesn’t seem to stop haunting us. We have managed to drive her physically away from our lives but she has left her footprints everywhere to continually remind us of her presence.”

Devi’s face turned deathly pale hearing this.

Shaurya was sitting alone at the dining table, lost in some deep thought, his eyes frequently wandering off to the box of besan ka halwa lying on a corner of the table.

Kanchan came there with two bowls and served the halwa in equal portions. She extended one bowl towards Shaurya but he declined.

Kanchan took a spoonful in her mouth and gave out a sigh of satisfaction, “Oh my God, I have never tasted such a thing in my life. Shaurya bhaiya, you are missing out on the world’s 8th wonder. If I had not tasted this, I would never have known what delicious actually means. This is like the gold standard of…” She looked at Shaurya’s serious expression and stopped right there.

“What gold standard Kanchan?” Devi came there looking at her inquisitively.

Kanchan immediately put all remaining halwa in her mouth before Devi could see it. Unable to speak now, she just shook her head in the negative.

“What is there in your mouth?” Devi asked, then she noticed the box of besan ka halwa on one side of the table and said angrily, “Haven’t I asked you to throw this one in the dustbin?”

Kanchan gulped down the last bit of halwa and said, “I was about to but could not help myself from trying it out.” Kanchan picked the box to take it to the kitchen when Shaan came there.

“Why do you keep scolding her, Bhabhi? What has she done now?” He asked.

“Shaan tayaji, you missed out on the best besan ka halwa in the world.” Kanchan said.

“Really, So where did you find it?” He then noticed the box in her hand and read the name, “KICAS, what does that stand for?”

“I don’t know but they for sure kicked some really proud asses today.” Kanchan grinned.

Devi gave her an angry look and stomped off.

Shaan went to Shaurya and said, “I heard what happened today. Don’t feel bad. Everyday is not the same”.

“That’s okay. How was your trip?” Shaurya asked.

“It was very fruitful. I have finalized the location for our first outlet in Shimla. I am sure you will love...” Shaan paused when he saw Shaurya paying no attention. Then said, “Shaurya, I am your Dad. Even if you don’t tell me, I can understand the disappointment you are feeling right now.”

Shaurya turned to his father and said, “I have travelled the world in search of the best food and the best recipes but today someone in our backyard defeated us. This KICAS is nothing but a conspiracy against us.” He then showed something on his phone to Shaan which shocked the latter.

Pleased at the effect it had on his father, Shaurya said, “KICAS stands for Kashyap Institute of culinary arts and sciences. Look at the founder’s name. Aastha Kashyap. She has made an elaborate plan to destroy us. But I won’t let that happen. Before they do anymore damage, I am going to ruin them.” Saying this he got up to leave.

“I am sure it was a mere coincidence, Shaurya. Aastha will never consciously do such planning. She is not that kind of a person.” Shaan said.

“I don’t understand one thing Dad. Do you deliberately put on a blindfold in all matters concerning Aastha Kashyap? How can you so easily forget that she had already tried to destroy us once?” Shaurya said dismissively and walked away.

Shaan looked in his direction and said to himself. “I am sorry Aastha, I am still unable to reveal the truth to our son. I am selfish. I won’t be able to bear the hate he will have for me once he knows the truth and that is why I let him hate you. But the guilt is eating me away little by little everyday.”

Anokhi was running as fast as she could. Her bridal attire was getting entangled between her legs making it difficult for her to run. She removed the chunri and threw it away. The voices of men chasing behind grew nearer. She turned her face to look behind. Her father, her brother and her groom were leading them with sticks in hand. She didn’t know for how long she had been running when she found herself at a place where earth seemed to have come to a standstill except for the red and orange flames engulfing the darkness like hungry monsters. The light dazzled her eyes. It was a burning ghat where 2-3 funeral pyres were announcing the last journey of the mortal souls. All of a sudden, she stumbled upon something and fell on her face. Her pursuers were approaching her like hyenas. Anokhi’s blood had run cold, her throat was completely dry. Was this the place where her life would also find its end? Anokhi gathered all her strength and cried out for help.

This seems to be something different, because here shaan also supposed to be party to the crime, will wait eagerly for the next update

Oh wow that was a dramatic ending!!! Wasnt the girl with the soulful eyes Anokhi? I guess we have to wait & see...

Aastha & her delicious meals, all this talk of food is making me hungry😅

I kinda dislike Shaan for being spineless and letting shau hate his Amma

In some way shaan is responsible for devastation shaurya will now cause to his mom and her protégé

Waiting to see what changes these two women bring for shaurya

Hey is it possible u tag or PM me when u update ..next 3 weeks slightly busy hence that way I can keep track of this story please

Originally posted by: Aimsha

This seems to be something different, because here shaan also supposed to be party to the crime, will wait eagerly for the next update

Thanks for commenting. Shaan's role will be revealed slowly. Stay on board 😊

Originally posted by: Aestheso_91

oh its turning very interestingone thing I wanted to ask wasn't anokhi supposed to be the one who handed the desert to staff so how did she land in her lehenga

Thanks. I guess your doubts will get cleared in the next chapter.

Originally posted by: GHKPM

Oh wow that was a dramatic ending!!! Wasnt the girl with the soulful eyes Anokhi? I guess we have to wait & see...

Aastha & her delicious meals, all this talk of food is making me hungry😅

Thanks.

@bold: That was pretty obvious, isn't it? 😳

Food is actually a very important character in this story.

Originally posted by: AnjuRish

I kinda dislike Shaan for being spineless and letting shau hate his Amma

In some way shaan is responsible for devastation shaurya will now cause to his mom and her protégé

Waiting to see what changes these two women bring for shaurya

Hey is it possible u tag or PM me when u update ..next 3 weeks slightly busy hence that way I can keep track of this story please

More than spineless, he is too loyal to his brother. And of course selfish.

@bold: Will surely do. 😳

Thanks for commenting.