Kitchen politics - fiction (Final Chapter updated - Page 36) - Page 13

Originally posted by: -Fedex-

Fantastic FF! Really loving the entire story so far! Hope you update the next part soon. Atleast Shaurya was honest and blunt. Anokhi will hopefully help in mending the mother son relationship.

Thank you for the appreciation. I am so glad that you are liking it. Please keep sharing your feedback as you read.

Anokhi will definitely help them reconcile.😊

Originally posted by: Athiraachu

Did Shaan ever truly love astha during their marriage or it was just producing a kid....

Astha for sure would have suffered a lot...betrayal....astha as a woman commands respect...mother and wife is secondary....

Anokhi is cool and smart...

Shaan is cruel than tej in real sense...

Waiting for the next update

That is a question for whose answer you will have to wait.

Yes, Aastha was betrayed by Shaan and Sabharwals. It is to her credit that she still managed a normal life after all that she had to go through. Both here and in the show. 😆

Originally posted by: Javeria3991

Awesome update

Thank you. I am glad you liked it. Keep sharing your views. 😊

Originally posted by: Idiotboxer

That is a question for whose answer you will have to wait.

Yes, Aastha was betrayed by Shaan and Sabharwals. It is to her credit that she still managed a normal life after all that she had to go through. Both here and in the show. 😆

Astha was so ruined by the makers...

I understand Astha's motherly weakness and guilt of leaving an innocent child...

But just be astha a stern mother and calling shaurya out whenever needed..don't want to see her weak or bowing to shaurya....in the show it was so ruined..

I want astha the woman..mother can be second and don't want her to feel a culprit of shaurya..

Waiting for the answer 🥰🥰🥰

Originally posted by: Athiraachu

Astha was so ruined by the makers...

I understand Astha's motherly weakness and guilt of leaving an innocent child...

But just be astha a stern mother and calling shaurya out whenever needed..don't want to see her weak or bowing to shaurya....in the show it was so ruined..

I want astha the woman..mother can be second and don't want her to feel a culprit of shaurya..

Waiting for the answer 🥰🥰🥰

I agree, makers didn't do justice to her character.

I will try to incorporate your suggestions. She should definitely point out his mistakes. Let me know how you feel about the upcoming chapters. You will see both Aastha, the woman and Aastha the mother.😊

Originally posted by: Idiotboxer

Hmm. Shaurya's love hate will make it difficult for him to reach his goal.

I am going to make Sabharwals more sinister here, especially Tej. I didn't like dudh ke dhule hue Sabharwals. 😆

Saberwals weren't dudh ke dhule here... They just poured milk on them at the end.. 😆

The only thing is if everyone in Saberwal khandaan so guilt free and has no conscience... How would Shaurya be able to distinguish between right and wrong when he knows the truth... I do get when Tej considers Shaurya to be right...

Originally posted by: shahsb_26

Saberwals weren't dudh ke dhule here... They just poured milk on them at the end.. 😆

The only thing is if everyone in Saberwal khandaan so guilt free and has no conscience... How would Shaurya be able to distinguish between right and wrong when he knows the truth... I do get when Tej considers Shaurya to be right...

Shaan has some guilt and conscience na. And since he has some contribution in Shaurya's upbringing, he didn't let him cross over to the dark side completely. Shaurya has some righteousness. He tries to advance his business but not by cheating an innocent. He is more direct in his approach. He is after Aastha because he thinks she is the one who cheated his family. He won't keep quite on knowing Aastha's life was ruined because of his family (unlike....😆). And of course Anokhi and Aastha will give him some life lessons. He will see where true happiness and contentment lies.

I hope you are satisfied with this explanation.

Originally posted by: Idiotboxer

I agree, makers didn't do justice to her character.

I will try to incorporate your suggestions. She should definitely point out his mistakes. Let me know how you feel about the upcoming chapters. You will see both Aastha, the woman and Aastha the mother.😊

😊

i always love a no nonsense mother....it will be so refreshing...do bring it on 🙂

Waiting to see both sides of astha

And really want to see a chapter on shaan's conscious and his monologues...

I am more interested in shaan and astha than Shaurya anokhi..

I am getting demanding 😁😁

Chapter 10

Aastha and Anokhi were sitting at the dinner table. Anokhi was quietly playing with her food.

“It is getting cold, Anokhi. You know I can’t start eating until you do.”

Anokhi gave her a look and started eating.

“I know you have a lot of questions. I will answer them. Please give me some time. Is that too much to ask?”

“You don’t have to if you don’t want to. Just because you try to act strong all the time doesn’t mean you are not hurting inside. Do you know, on some nights when I would get up to go to the washroom, I noticed light coming from your room. I would tiptoe to your room and peep quietly from behind the door and watch as you shed silent tears while going through old albums. Every year, on a certain day you prepare a special cake and distribute it among the kids. Today I went through Mr. Shaurya’s certificates once again. His birthday falls on that day, right?”

“Yes, I created that bottle gourd cake especially for him as he hated eating bottle gourds otherwise. But that cake became his favourite and he wouldn’t stop asking for it.” Aastha laughed, reminiscing about the past.

“I don’t know what happened in the past to make you go away from him. What I know is that you have preserved decades worth of love in your heart that is only meant for him. And it is time you give him that love.”

“He doesn’t want it, Anokhi. Didn’t you see how he doesn’t even want to attend my classes?”

“Hmm.”

“What ‘hmm’?”

“Nothing, I am done. I will go and start doing the dishes.”

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

Shaan entered his room and saw Aastha putting Shaurya to sleep. She was singing a lullaby but her eyes were lost in the distance. The grim expression on her face indicated that something serious had happened.

On seeing Shaan she gently removed Shaurya’s head from her lap and got up. She picked up a magazine from the shelf and showed it to him.

“Turn to page 26, they have published Tej Bhaisahab’s interview. The interviewer has written long paragraphs in his praise. How he had taken the business to different parts of the country. How he has himself invented the unique recipes that they serve. But I don’t get one thing. Some of the recipes in this list are the ones that I had worked on.”

Shaan went and put his hand on her shoulders, “I know it is wrong of Tej Bhaisahab to take credit for your work. Come, let’s go and talk to him.”

"Bhaisahab, what is this? How can you put your name on Aastha's recipes?"

"I don't understand why you are creating such a hue and cry over this trivial issue. These recipes sell because they have my name attached to them."

“But bhaisahab, this is not fair. Aastha has worked so hard on these recipes.” Shaan tried to reason with his brother.

Tej didn’t answer but instead looked at Aastha angrily and said, “I can’t believe you are trying to turn my brother against me. I never knew you were so hungry for credit.”

“I am not hungry for credit. All I am saying is you could have informed me before putting your name on my recipes.”

“Do you have any proof that you invented them? No. I have told you many a times to stay within your limits as the bahu of this house. You have got status, you have got position but that is not enough. You want to create a rift in the family.” Tej roared in anger.

“I have no intention to create rifts in the family. I respect you a lot for what you have done for your brothers. But when you use such stealthy tactics to have your way, that respect suffers a big blow.”

“Aastha, is this how you talk to the head of the family? What will you do by claiming credit for these recipes? Do you want the fame that Tej is getting? Women cannot handle fame, it gets to their head and they start neglecting their family duties. ” Devi rebuked her.

Aastha was about to say something when she noticed little Shaurya standing by the door. He had perhaps woken up from his sleep and on not finding his parents in the room, came looking for them.

“Mom, why are you all fighting?” He said, rubbing his eyes sleepily.

Aastha immediately ran and took him in his arms. “When did you wake up Laddoo? We are not fighting. We were just playing a game. Come, let’s go.”

Seeing Aastha leave, Tej looked at Shaan and said, “Why are you waiting? Catch her pallu and go after her.”

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

“Excuse me, Mam.” Shaurya called Anokhi on seeing her walking towards the class.

“Not now Mr. Sabharwal. I am getting late for class. Don’t you want to join? Or do you have an aversion to my classes as well?”

“No, not at all. Your classes are the best. But, what about my suspension?”

“Well, it’s on hold for the time being. Aastha Mam was right. You are a grown up and understand what’s best for you. It’s better that you don’t attend her classes than attend them and disturb the other students. But keep one thing in mind, you have an exam coming up and attending her classes can be of great help if you want a good result.”

“Why? Is she going to deduct my marks for not attending her classes?”

“She can, according to the rules but she won’t. The evaluation will be done by examiners coming from outside.”

“Oh.” Shaurya said, as if thinking something.

“Mr. Sabharwal.”

“Yes.”

“Remember that I won’t entertain any student who arrives after I enter. So please.” Anokhi said, directing him towards the classroom.”

“Right.”

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

Aastha had thought of giving Shaan a surprise visit at the restaurant that day. When she reached, Shaan was not there. The staff asked her to wait as Shaan had gone to another branch and would return soon.

Just then Aastha saw a middle aged couple with a little girl enter. They didn’t have a prior booking but found a table nevertheless. The waiter showed them the menu. They went through the menu and discussed something among themselves. Then to Aastha’s surprise, they got up. Aastha felt a pang looking at the downcast face of the girl.

Seeing them walking out, the manager stopped them. Aastha was shocked hearing his words.

“When you can’t afford our food why did you come and waste our time? Do you know we had to turn away one of our regular customers because of you?”

“Mr. Sharma, is it the way to speak to a customer?”

“Mam, I am sorry but they have put my job on the line. I am sure when Tej Sir learns that we have turned away Mr. Gujral, he will get very annoyed. And if he comes to know that a table went empty...”

“Nothing will happen to your job.” Aastha assured him. Then she turned towards the couple and said, “I am sorry on his behalf. Kindly go back to your table. Your dinner is on me. No, don’t think of it as a favour. I am just trying to save this poor guy’s job.”

Aastha decided to go and talk to Tej about it.

“What happened, Tej Bhaisahab? You called us at such short notice.” Alok asked, entering his office along with Shaan.

“Shaan, your wife is crossing all limits. Today, she came and argued with me that our food is overpriced. She was trying to teach me business saying our prices are driving customers away. She says she doesn’t want her food to be beyond the reach of the common man. Is this why we brought her to our house and gave her the honour of being our bahu?" Tej paused to catch a breath. Then said, "And this was not all. Do you know what she said when I refused her request? She has decided that she will open a cooking class. As she wants to share her skills. A Sabharwal bahu will now run a cooking class and make us the joke of the town.”

Alok raised his eyebrows and said, “Bhaisahab, this is an open rebellion against you. We have to stop her before it is too late.”

Tej looked in Shaan’s direction and said, “Control your wife. She is getting out of hand. You know if I take matters into my hand, things will get difficult for her.”

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

Anokhi was about to enter the kitchen for her class when she heard the sound of hooting and cheering.

“Wow.”

“This is incredible.”

“We never knew you had so many talents. Where did you learn this?”

Anokhi saw that a crowd had gathered and someone was throwing a disc of dough in the air.

“What’s going on here?” She shouted angrily.

The crowd dispersed on seeing her and Anokhi saw it was Shaurya. “What a show off.” She thought.

“Good morning Mam. I was just trying to entertain them while waiting for you to come. I learnt this trick from a pizza maker in Naples. If you want I can show you how to do this. You take the dough and hold it between your fingers and then toss it in the air like this.” Saying this he threw the dough again but by that time Anokhi had reached him and held his hand. To everyone’s horror, his special pizza fell on her head.

The sight made Shaurya chuckle.

Anokhi lost her cool. She removed the pizza from her head and slammed it on his face. Now the entire classroom broke into laughter.

Anokhi turned towards them and said, “Since you all want some entertainment, let’s play a game today. I will make a certain dish and you will guess the ingredients. Then try to recreate it on your own. The person who will come nearest to my dish will get a special gift from my side”

Shaurya took special pride in his skill of figuring out the ingredients of a recipe by tasting it. He had inherited it from his Bade Papa. “What if I make a dish identical to your one?”

“I like your confidence, Mr. Sabharwal. If you succeed, you will get a gift of your choice. Of course it should be something I can afford.”

After Anokhi was finished with the dish, The students came one by one and examined it. Anokhi then distributed it among them so that they could taste it and guess the recipe. Shaurya also tasted it and was surprised at how good it was. He immediately started on his own task and soon came up with his dish. Unfortunately though the dish resembled Anokhi’s one in appearance, it didn’t match the taste. Yet he emerged as the winner.

“Not bad Mr. Sabharwal.” Anokhi said, smiling. Then added, “You got the ingredients right but went a little wrong with their proportion. No worries, better luck next time.”

“You are right and I have no shame in accepting my defeat. After all, failures are the pillars of success.” Shaurya replied.

“I must say I am impressed. You are not as arrogant as I had thought.” Anokhi said, admiringly.

“So, where is my special gift?” Shaurya asked.

“Since you have done remarkably well, I am giving you some concession. You can ask for a gift of your choice.”

“Umm..” Shaurya thought for a few moments. “Pizza.”

“What?”

“I could not recreate your recipe and I accepted my defeat. I want to see if you can recreate my pizza recipe. If you succeed, that will be my gift.”

Anokhi rolled her eyes, “Aren’t you crossing your limits here? You want to challenge a teacher.”

“It’s not about teacher or student. One should always be open to learning something new. Why are you afraid to take up this simple challenge?”

“Anokhi Bhalla is not afraid of challenges. But not here. Like I said, I am a teacher here and I cannot get into a competition with my students. Why not find a time and place convenient for both of us.”

“As you wish. I am in no hurry. How about this Sunday evening, after class? A week will be enough for you I guess. There is a pizza corner run by some of my friends. They will offer us their kitchen which has got an authentic pizza oven.”

“Done.”

Lovely, delicious and delightful update, was waiting for this update and would love to wait for the next update please do