Kitchen politics - fiction (Final Chapter updated - Page 36) - Page 10

Loving the story. Specially the way it has been potraying the 2 love stories in evey epsiode. Wd can see the parallels. 😍

I just read this and it's amazing! Like really good!! Are you sure you have never considered writing for all these shows?

Really amazing writing! Awaiting the next update

Nice update...Aasthaa is definitely a good cook...what was Shaan up to in the past?🤔

Intriguing...looking forward to more...

Originally posted by: jhankarbeats87

Loving the story. Specially the way it has been potraying the 2 love stories in evey epsiode. Wd can see the parallels. 😍

Thanks. Glad to know you are liking it. Keep reading and do share your feedback.😊

Originally posted by: black.snowflake

I just read this and it's amazing! Like really good!! Are you sure you have never considered writing for all these shows?

Really amazing writing! Awaiting the next update

Thanks a lot for the encouraging words. 😊 Would keep it as an alternative career option just in case.😆

Will look forward to your feedback in the upcoming chapters.

Originally posted by: GHKPM

Nice update...Aasthaa is definitely a good cook...what was Shaan up to in the past?🤔

Intriguing...looking forward to more...

Thanks. Keep reading and sharing your thoughts.

Shaan is carrying out his brother's plan. 😊

Thanks. Keep reading and sharing your thoughts.

Welcome dear...enjoying it very much😊💖

Shaan is carrying out his brother's plan

Oh noooo😡...didnt see that one coming!!!

Chapter 8

The students were busy rolling phulkas on their rolling boards. Anokhi was making rounds through their tables and checking their progress.

“Yes, that’s good. Don’t apply too much pressure. Let me show you.”

A familiar male voice drew her attention. Her eyes followed it to look for the speaker. There he was, standing close behind Shagun. He had extended his hands from behind and kept them over hers, moving them over the rolling pin in perfect rhythm.

“Mr. Sabharwal.” Anokhi snapped so loudly that everyone turned to look at her. She walked up to him and said, “Have you forgotten that you are a student here, not a teacher? If Miss Kapoor is having any difficulty, I am there to help her. You should better concentrate on your own task.” She said, irately.

Shaurya seemed unaffected by the rebuke and said nonchalantly. “I completed my task a long time back, see.” He showed her his phulkas. “I was getting bored. And Miss Kapoor here was struggling with her phulkas. Being the perfect gentleman that I am, I found it my utmost duty to rescue a lady in distress. Have I done something wrong, Madam?”

Anokhi gave him an irritated look and turned to Shagun, “Miss Kapoor. Are you finding it difficult to follow my instructions?”

“No, Mam. Actually I was unable to get the perfect circle like those of Shaurya’s phulkas.” Shagun explained.

“No need to get the perfect circle. Aastha Mam often says that there is beauty in imperfection. Just give your heart and soul to what you are doing.”

“Pardon me but this is an excuse for those who don’t have it in them to attain perfection.”

Shaurya’s indirect taunt made Anokhi’s blood boil. She gritted her teeth and closed her eyes to retain her composure. Then she looked at him and said, “If the task at hand seems too boring and beneath your talents, I have something that will keep you engaged. Come with me.” She started walking, asking Shaurya to follow.

She picked up some large casseroles and handed them over to Shaurya. “Go to each table and collect the phulkas and put them in the red ones. After that you sort them to put the good ones in the green casseroles. Are you following me?”

“You aren’t serious, Are you?” Shaurya asked.

Anokhi glared at him. “Either do what I say or get out of my class.”

Shaurya chuckled.

“Now what is there to laugh about?”

“I am sorry Madam. I am trying really hard but it becomes very difficult to take you seriously, especially when that cute childlike face of yours turns red with anger. It resembles a ripe apple.”

“You are impossible.” Anokhi huffed and stomped off.

“I never had more fun teasing anyone.” Shaurya said to himself as he got down to finish the task given to him. As he started sorting the phulkas, he wondered what they were meant for. Did they sell the food for extra profit? Was it how they run their food delivery business? He needed to find out the truth. It might help him in exposing them.

He asked Shagun but she too had no clue. Neither she nor any of the other students seemed to be much bothered with it. But Shaurya couldn’t let go of this chance.

“Hello Dad, I need your help.”

“Anything for you son. Tell me what you want.”

“You have to act as an alibi for me.”

“What? Have you got into any kind of trouble?”

“No, not that. Actually I will have to stay back after class for some work. And you know Badi maa. If she comes to know that I am at KICAS for so long, she will create a big fuss.”

“So what do you want me to do?”

“I will tell her that I had to accompany you to Patiala. If she asks you please tell her the same thing. There should not be any discrepancies in our versions.”

“Consider it done.” Shaan put down the phone and thought to himself. “I don’t know what your plan is, son. But I will have to keep an eye on you to see that you don’t do something that you might regret later on.”

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

When Aastha returned from the market that day, she was surprised to find her father in deep conversation with a couple in the living room. She could tell from their attire that they belonged to the higher echelons of society.

On seeing Aastha, her father said, “Mr. Sabharwal, here’s my daughter. And Aastha, this is Mr. Tej Sabharwal and his wife, Mrs. Devi Sabharwal. They have come to ask your hand in marriage for their brother, Shaan.”

“Well, Mr. Kashyap. I have always looked at Shaan as my son and not my brother. And I can do anything for his happiness. It doesn’t matter if you folks are below us in rank and status. My brother loves your daughter and we are eager to bring her home with the honour of a Sabharwal bahu.”

Aastha was surprised at this sudden turn of events. Not even two days had passed since Shaan proposed. She didn’t even have an opportunity to discuss it with her father. And now his family was there to talk about marriage.

“I am extremely sorry Sir, but I have already told Shaan about my inability to accept this proposal. My entire focus is on our little venture as Shaan might have informed you.”

“Yes, we know about it. And we have talked to your father regarding this. I know you don’t want to marry because you are worried about your father but once you are married into our family your father will become our responsibility. We will look after all his needs.” Tej said in a reassuring tone.

“I don’t mean any disrespect but I cannot be okay with it. I don’t want my father to be dependent on anyone, especially not on my in-laws when I am perfectly capable of taking his responsibility. I will continue to cook for Kashyap’s cafe even after I am married. Will you be okay with that?”

“Actually Aastha, it will not be good for our name or our business if a Sabharwal bahu is seen running another restaurant of her own. I hope you understand that.” Tej pointed out.

Her father came and held her hand and said, “Excuse me, Mr. Sabharwal, I want to talk to her in private. We will be back in a minute. Please help yourselves with the refreshments in the meantime.” Then he dragged Aastha inside.

“Aastha, why are you being so stubborn? Such a respectable family has come to our doors on their own asking for your hand and you are refusing. Had your mother been there, she would have already started looking for matches. As parents it is our duty to see that our daughter is married off in a well to do family. Shaan is a good man. I can die peacefully by handing over your responsibility to him

“Don’t you talk about dying again. Besides, why should someone else take up my responsibility? I am capable of looking after myself.”

“Do you plan on staying unmarried for life? I know you can take your own responsibility but everyone needs company. You have no one in this world except me. Please don’t make me live with this fear that my daughter will be left all alone in this world when I am gone.

“Again !”

“Ok, tell me one thing. Don’t you love Shaan?” Mr. Kashyap looked at her changing expressions. She turned her face away. Mr. Kashyap knew his daughter. She was an expert in suppressing her emotions. After his wife’s death, she had assumed the role of his guardian and tried to guard him from every problem. She would hide her own wants so that he would not feel inadequate as a father. Today she was turning away her chance at getting her love to safeguard her father’s dignity. Mr. Kashyap couldn’t let it happen.

He held her chin and turned her face towards him. Then said affectionately, “Beta, do you know that the happiest day of my life was the day you were born. Your smile has worked as a magic balm for all my pains. It doesn’t matter where I live or how I live. Just knowing that you are happy in your life will be enough for me to pass the rest of my life in contentment.”

Suddenly there was a knock at the door. It was Tej.

“Mr. Kashyap, we have come up with a solution to your daughter’s problems. Can you please come out so that we can suggest it to you.”

“What if we turn Kashyap’s cafe into a mini outlet of Sabharwal kitchen. We will get the renovation done accordingly. Mr. Kashyap, you can continue to keep accounts like you used to do for your cafe. We will also arrange for staff and a cook. Is that fine with you, Aastha?”

“You mean Bauji will work as your employee.”

“Come on Aastha. Don’t say you have a problem with that too. We are not doing any charity for him. He will run the restaurant the same way he used to do, the only difference being that it will be under the protection of Sabharwals’ name.” Devi said, getting a little irritated.

“I hope you won’t have a problem with me working there as a chef. I don’t want to depend on anyone for my living.”

“You are going to become a part of the Sabharwal family. Our women can’t be seen slogging it off at the restaurant kitchen. They have a status. They should always look prim and proper when they are in public.” Devi tried to explain.

“I don’t think I can compromise on this.” Aastha said firmly.

“That means Shaan has no value in your life. Tej, I don’t know why we are wasting our time here.”

“Wait a minute.” Tej stopped Devi. “Listen Aastha. I know how much you love cooking. You are not just a cook, you are a creator, an artist. I want you to focus on your craft. You can experiment with your recipes, create new recipes, do anything you want. We will provide you with an opportunity for that. We will incorporate your recipes in our menu and you will get a share in our profit. Will that work?”

“Please Aastha beta, don’t say no to this. They are ready to do so much for you. I think you should also compromise a little bit. If not for yourself, then for your Beeji’s soul which will finally be at peace seeing you happily married.”

“Shaan is one of the most eligible bachelors in town and we are being flooded with alliances from the best of families. But he loves only you. It will break him to know that you didn’t think him worthy enough to bend a little from your stand.” Tej said.

The dilemma on Aastha’s face didn’t escape Tej. “Take your time, Aastha. We are ready to wait for the sake of our brother.”

Later, while returning from Aastha’s place, Devi said to Tej, “That girl is too stubborn. Do you think she will agree to your proposal? She is very strong on her principles.”

“Devi, love is a very powerful emotion. It can make people do things that they never really thought they would. The girl is deeply in love with Shaan. I could see her resolve slowly weakening. Trust me, we are on the path to victory.”

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

It was seven o’clock in the evening. Throughout the day, Shaurya had been playing hide and seek with the staff of KICAS. He had to stay inside the campus to keep an eye on them but he also had to make sure that no one saw him doing it. Sometimes he hid himself behind a tree, sometimes behind a wall, sometimes in the washroom. The day was almost over and yet he had not been able to get any clue which would be of any use.

The evening session was over at 7. He was hiding behind a tree, with his eyes fixated on the kitchen windows. Mosquitoes of the area had decided to take an evening stroll and were delighted to find the fresh young blood of this strikingly handsome member of the human species to feast upon. Shaurya waved his hand to drive away the pests. But they were quite resilient.

He was losing patience now. He hadn’t even eaten anything after breakfast. The gnawing feeling in his tummy was growing with the passage of time. Suddenly he saw Anokhi enter the kitchen with a helper. She then took out the phulkas from the casseroles and started frying them one by one. There was some food prepared by the students of the other two sessions as well. The helper started heating those. Then they carefully distributed all the food in equal amounts in small boxes. The boxes were then placed inside large bags and brought out of the kitchen.

So they were taking the food somewhere. Shaurya had to find out where. But for that he needed to get back to his own car so that he could follow them. He was lost in his thoughts for a few moments when he felt a gentle poke on his back. He turned around with a start.

“Good evening Mr. Sabharwal, may I know what you are doing here?”

“Nothing. I mean...I….I..was just...watching.” Shaurya had never been so tongue tied before. His entire day of hard work went down the drain with a moment of carelessness.

“What were you watching?”

“Not watching, watch. I was looking for my watch.”

“I think you forgot to look in the most common place, your wrist. See properly, it's still there.”

“Oh no. Not this one. Actually I went home and couldn’t find my watch. I thought I had left it here. This is a different one that I wore while coming here the second time.”

“But why will you leave your watch under this tree? No one comes to this part of the campus. Did you look for it in your classroom and kitchen?

“That’s what I was trying to do. I was waiting for you all to finish your work in the kitchen and then I would go and see..”

“You could have come while we were still there or were you planning to break in?”

“No..absolutely not. I am not a burglar.”

“Anyways, we are done. Go and check if you can find your watch. Make it fast. We have to lock the place before leaving. The children must be waiting.”

“Children? Whose children? You have children?”

“Even if I did, that is none of your business.”

“But you are too young to have children. One child is still understandable.”

Hearing this Anokhi started laughing. “Oh God. I am sorry Mr. Sabharwal. It’s just that. By the way, would you like to meet them? You can come with us if you are free.”

“Why not. If you don’t mind, I will follow you in my car so that I can leave directly from there.”

“Sure.”

Seeing Shaurya walk towards the car park, she called out, “Mr. Sabharwal, I think you forgot about your watch again.”

Shaurya immediately traced back his steps and entered the kitchen.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………….

That night, Shaan called Aastha.

“So what do you think about Bhaisahab’s offer?”

“I don’t know Shaan. I am not getting a good feeling about it. Bauji working under your family is not going well with me. I don’t want him to be answerable to his Samdhis.”

“What is his stand on it?”

“He is fine with it. All he wants is for me to be happy.”

“So your Bauji’s happiness lies in your happiness. And doesn’t your happiness lie with me.”

“It is not about happiness. It is about self respect. I can’t see my father taking orders from your family.”

“Shouldn’t we keep personal and professional lives separate? He won’t be working under us but with us. Like we brothers do. I am in charge of expansion of our branches. Alok is in charge of the staff. But we all answer to Tej Bhaisahab.”

“That is different. You are not understanding the relationship dynamics here.”

“I don’t want to understand anything other than that I love you. I cannot imagine my life without you. But if you feel I don’t deserve you and decide to end this relationship here, I will not stop you. The memories of the days that I spent with you will be enough to last me a lifetime. I will not let anyone else into my life. This is my promise to you.”

“Shaan.”

“What?”

“Fix a date for marriage and let me know.” Saying this Aastha put down the call.

Shaan was grateful that she did. He didn’t want to feign excitement at this news. Suddenly his eyes fell on the glass windows of his room. A thunderstorm was raging outside so they were closed. He could see his own reflection which was distorted by the carvings on the glass. Perhaps this deformed image was his truth now. He was surprised at how he had become an ace in lies and deceit.

Out of frustration, he pushed the windows open. The cold drops of rain came rushing inside in full force, hitting him like icicles and poking at his conscience. But this was not enough punishment for him. He would now have to live this lie, forever.

Thanku so so so much for the update, you are really a champ at your work since dahleez days i have been reading your work and they are always fabulous to read, will wait eagerly for the next update

Poor astha was kindof manipulated into the marriage due to her love for Shaan ..I respect her now ..she tried to be upfront and was cheated later

I guess all that food goes to some orphanage or old age home

Loving these dynamics btw shaakhi ..anokhi seems to have empathy