Kitchen politics - fiction (Final Chapter updated - Page 36) - Page 16

Originally posted by: Javeria3991

Truth is indeed bitter and it ruined Astha. It’s amazing she didn’t give up and began a cooking school. I wonder what happen when Shaurya will come to know if this truth.

Yes, the truth was a big jolt and it completely shattered her.

Let's see what Shaurya does if and when he learns the truth.

Keep reading and giving your valuable feedback.😊

Originally posted by: GHKPM

That was so sad...shaan is very disappointing, then & now...still lying to Shaurya & letting the ill feelings fester and not helping to bridge the gap between mom & son at all...i like the way you are shaping up the aastha -shaan equation...really missed it in the show bcos the writers had to wrap up quickly😔

I am glad you are liking Shastha. I was also invested in their story and hence made my own story here.😊

Originally posted by: Athiraachu

i hate Shaan for lying and hiding things from Shaurya all along and not stopping devi and tej putting hatred for astha in a small child....

Astha should never ever forgive sabharwals and Shaan...she should never go back to him....

Shaurya should find out about his family's vile and cruel acts...what they had done to a innocent girl...irrespective of her being his mother or anyone ...

It doesn't matter if he accepts astha or not...but he should set the sabharwals straight for the way treat women and use them...

Shaan is afraid that if Shaurya knows the truth he will hate him too.

Sabharwals will have to pay for their ill acts.

Keep reading and share your thoughts.

Originally posted by: jhankarbeats87

Loved the chapter. I am so so so frustrated with Shaan, spineless moron. Feel like slapping him for cheating on Astha. Tej is an outright villain. Wd be looking fed to the day Shaurya rats him out. Hope he gets to knw the truth soon.

Wd also like to knw abt Anokhi's backstory.

Waiting for next update. 😀

😆 Tej is vile and Shaan is too loyal to his brother.

Anokhi's backstory will also be revealed.

Will update soon. Keep reading. Would love to know your thoughts for the upcoming chapters.

Chapter 12

Aastha reached her own house very late that night. Her father was shocked to see her in a dishevelled state.

“What happened beta? Why are you here at this time of the night? Where is Damadji?”

Aastha didn’t seem to register his questions. She walked in as if in a trance and sat down on the couch. Her father went to her and put his hand on her head. She looked up at him and spoke slowly.

“It was all a lie, Bauji. The best moments of my life were a lie. His love was a lie.” She hugged her father and started sobbing uncontrollably.

The next morning her father was surprised to see her getting ready to go out.

“Beta you came so late last night. You didn’t even sleep properly. Where are you going now?”

“I am going to get Shaurya. I don’t know what got into me last night. I just left from there. What kind of a mother I am. Shaurya can’t sleep without me. He will be so worried if he doesn’t see me there.” Saying this she quickly left.

Aastha frantically knocked on the door of Sabharwal house. No one seemed to open. She waited a few minutes and knocked again. Finally Devi opened the door.

“Why have you come here? Hasn’t Tej asked you to go away?”

“I have come to get my son. Please send for Shaurya. I will take him and leave.”

“You have no rights on this house, nor on Shaurya. What kind of a mother are you? Your son was crying for you all night and you were nowhere to be found. I had to sit by his side all night to console him.”

"I am sorry. I was not in my senses.”

“A mother forgets about the world but she doesn’t forget her child. You don’t deserve to be his mother.”

“I don’t want to argue with you. I have to meet my son.” Aastha was about to enter when Tej came in front of her.

“You have lost all rights to enter this house. Go back. We will have the divorce papers sent to your house.”

“A divorce cannot take away the rights a mother has on her child. You won’t be able to take Shaurya away from me. I will see the end of this.”

A week later, Shaan was surprised to get divorce and custody papers from Aastha. When Tej learnt of it, he went mad with rage.

“She doesn’t know who she is trying to mess with. How dare she drag the Sabharwals to court.”

“But Bhaisahab, she has only asked for joint custody of Shaurya. I don’t see any wrong in this.”

“I think something is wrong with you then. That woman doesn’t respect our traditions, doesn’t follow our rules, tries to ruin our business and slander our name. Yet you are supporting her. If she manages to have Shaurya, she will make him like her. No, we can’t let that happen. I don’t want that woman anywhere around Shaurya, not even for a second.”

“I am sorry Bhaisahab. I cannot support you on this. I am going to sign these papers.”

After Shaan had left, Tej said to Devi, “I made a big mistake by asking Shaan to marry her. She has planted roots of rebellion in him too. He is going against me to support her. I have to immediately do something before things go out of hand.”

“Do whatever you want Tej. All I care about is that Shaurya stays here with us. Earlier Aastha let me have Shaurya only when she was busy with some other work. But now that she is not there, I can have him all to myself. I don’t want Shaurya as Aastha’s hand me down. I want him as my son.”

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

“Today you have a special task to accomplish. You will have to prepare a feast for 50 people. The items that you need to prepare are given in this list. You have to select a group leader who will make all the decisions and divide you among groups and assign the tasks. The ingredients that you will need are kept in the store. Few of you can go and bring them. Remember, bring only the amount that you will need. I don’t want any wastage. You have 3 hours to finish this task.”

Shaurya was unanimously elected as the group leader. He arranged all the items needed and assigned the tasks. He decided to make the tandoori chicken himself.

Anokhi stood in a corner and watched as the students went about performing their task. Around half an hour had passed when a staff member came and informed her that Aastha Mam had called her. Anokhi asked the staff member to keep an eye on the students and left.

When she returned a few minutes later she couldn’t believe her eyes. The entire kitchen was filled with smoke. The students were standing outside. A few of them were coughing.

“What happened, Sushma?” She asked the staff member.

“The tandoori chicken got burnt and the students were trying to take the burnt pieces out when somehow the place caught fire.”

“And what were you doing?” Anokhi asked irritatedly.

“I got the burnt smell but thought that I should let the students manage things on their own. They are grown ups. They should be ready to manage these kinds of situations. But believe me, I got the fire extinguishers as soon as I saw things were getting out of control.” Sushma said in her defence.

“Where is your group leader?” Anokhi asked the students. Just then she saw Shaurya coming from outside.

“I am sorry. I had to attend this. It was an important business call.” Shaurya said in a breath. Then he looked around and was shocked. “What happened here?”

“You were supposed to tell us that. Weren’t you in-charge here? But your business meetings are of course more important than your task.”

“I am sorry.”

“Mr. Sabharwal, what do you do when a staff at your restaurant spoils food and creates such a mess?” Anokhi asked.

“We deduct money from his salary to repair the damages.”

“That will be too easy a punishment for you. You will have to clean this mess that you created with your own hands. You are not leaving the premises before the job is done. Am I clear?” Anokhi then turned to the other students and said, “If any of you want to help him out, please don’t come to attend my class from the next day.”

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

Aastha was worried. She didn’t have much finances to fight a case with the Sabharwals. But she didn’t want to give up Shaurya. He needed her. She didn’t have enough money to restart Kashyap’s Cafe. Her father had also been fired by the Sabharwals. Although she had started delivering home cooked meals to make ends meet, the money was not enough. She wanted to start cooking classes but she didn’t have the time for it.

As she walked down the road immersed in these thoughts, she didn’t realise that a truck behind her had gotten out of control and was approaching her like a mad giant. In a matter of seconds she was thrown into the air and dropped on the stone pavement.

Aastha opened her eyes to find herself lying on a hospital bed. She could hear the doctors discussing something about her. Soon she learned that her spine had suffered serious damage and she needed immediate surgery to prevent her from being bedridden for life.

Aastha felt that the world was collapsing around her. There was no way her father could arrange the money required for her surgery. She lay in her bed helplessly as tears rolled down her cheeks thinking about her fate. How would her poor old father carry the burden of a bedridden daughter? Should she talk to Shaan and ask him to lend some money? Would he agree to help her? If not as a husband but as a fellow human being. But Shaan had no freedom to take any decision without the consent of his brother. Yet, she should try once. But before she could call Shaan, Devi Sabharwal came to visit her.

“How are you doing, Aastha?” She asked gently.

“I am fine. How is Shaurya?”

“Shaurya is doing great. He is very happy with us.”

“I hope you haven’t told him anything about my accident.”

“Oh no. I am not that stupid. Why will I bother the little kid with such painful news.”

“Can you do me a favour? Can you pass a message to Shaan?”

“I know what message you want to give him. You need money for your surgery, right? But Shaan cannot help you with that. You know he won’t take out so much money without consulting Tej. But I can help you, if you agree to my condition.”

“What condition.”

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

Shaurya got a mop and a bucket full of soap water and stood at the centre of the kitchen. He could not understand where to start. He dipped the mop in the soap water and started wiping the dirt. About half an hour passed and Shaurya couldn’t understand whether the floor wqas cleaner or dirtier. His back was aching, his whole body was covered in sweat, and sweat dripped from his forehead onto his eyes. He repeatedly wiped it with the back of his hand but they came back again and blurred his vision. Out of frustration, he pushed the mop vigorously but it hit the bucket and the soap water spilled all over.

Shaurya looked at the mess around and sat down in despair.

“Here, wipe your face with this.” A towel was held before him. Shaurya looked up to find it was Aastha.

“Thank you but I don’t need it.” Shaurya said, getting up.

“You are not used to such menial tasks. Let me do this. You go and clean yourself.”

“Do you not understand? I don’t want your fake sympathy.”

“Shaurya, I understand that you are mad at me but please let me help you for now. I can tell from your face that you are very tired.”

“I am not mad at you. I just don’t want to have anything to do with a traitor like you.”

“Traitor? What makes you call me that?”

“Oh, so you want to act all innocent now. Don’t worry, I will refresh your memory very soon.”

“Shaurya, I know I have wronged you but I have not betrayed anyone.”

“Stop lying. You married my Dad to get access to our secret recipes and then sold them to our rivals.”

“Who told you these things? Your father?”

“Why should I give you any explanation? I didn’t even want to talk to you. It was you who came here and started pestering me. Now please, let me do my work.” Shaurya said, folding his hand.

Aastha looked at his folded hands and then turned and walked away silently.

“You still want to keep him here?” Anokhi asked, entering Aastha’s office.

Aastha was sitting with her head buried in her palms. Anokhi’s question jolted her out of her thoughts.

“I have heard the conversation between you and Mr. Shaurya in the kitchen.”

“What does it have to do with keeping him here?”

“He is putting false allegations on you and you are tolerating everything silently. But I cannot. I won’t let anyone hurt my Aastha Mam.”

“Who said I am hurt? And even if I am, so is he.”

“Stop blaming yourself for everything. I know you very well. You can never hurt anyone intentionally. I will have to find out what made him say such things.”

“Anokhi, I seriously think you need to make some friends.”

“Now where did that come from?”

“Because you have stopped behaving your age. It is good that you are so mature but sometimes I feel you have taken up the burden of the entire world on your head.” Aastha paused a bit and then said, “As if managing this whole institute was not enough that you have also taken up the responsibility of fixing Shaurya and my problems. Please don’t stress yourself over this. This is your age to enjoy, have fun, go and see new places, make some new friends. Do you get what I am saying?”

“Hmm. I can understand. You don’t want me to interfere in your personal life. I am still an outsider, right?”

“God, this girl! How to make you understand. Listen, Shaurya and my relationship is very complicated. But Shaurya and your relationship is that of a teacher and student. Bringing me into this equation will stop you from seeing things in an unbiased manner. And your professional conduct will suffer.”

“Ok fine. I won’t interfere. Happy now?”

“Yes. Now please go and see what he is doing. I think your punishment was a bit too harsh. He is already susceptible to the cold and he has been working with that wet mop for almost an hour now.”

“If it was any other student, I would have put a fine but Mr. Sabharwal is already so rich. A small fine would not be enough to make him realise the seriousness of his mistakes.”

Just then Sushma came running and said, “Madam, he fainted.”

Both Aastha and Anokhi asked anxiously, “Who fainted?”

“That student who was cleaning the kitchen.”

Both Aastha and Anokhi ran towards the kitchen.

When they reached, they saw Shaurya lying on the floor, surrounded by some students who were trying to revive him by sprinkling water. Aastha went and sat beside him. She gently put his head on her lap and said to Anokhi, “He is having a high fever. Give a call to the doctor.” She then patted his cheeks and called, “Shaurya, open your eyes.”

Anokhi came and said, “The doctor is on his way.”

“Good, we cannot let him lie on the wet floor. Can some of you give me a hand?” Aastha asked, looking at the other students.

I am not sure how to react that astha left without the child ..must be the trauma but I am slightly uncomfortable with this . She did come back and Devi made her accident and snatched full custody and Shaan was spineless.

I can understand shau in some manner is a product of his upbringing.i like that astha asked anokhi not to intervene in their relationship.

Poor shau is sick ..will this help saakhi bond ?

I want to know a Shaan pov on his sons current interaction with astha ...is he open to the whole mess coming out

Astha's plight is so heart Breaking 😢

Devi's condition is a cliffhanger...but astha is not a woman to be intimidated...but she is in a vulnerable state...

i hate Shaan more and more 😤

He is root cause of Astha's pain and misery and Shaurya's too..more than tej and devi...Shaan is their culprit..

Shaurya and Anokhi's character development is really good...their layers are opening up...

i really want to see the contrast of Devi's manipulative & conditional control over Astha's no nonsense behavior and affection as a mother and shaurya to realize it...

Really want to see a face off between Shaan and astha now...after these many years...astha should Really grill Shaan for instilling this hatred in shaurya...really want to see this...

Shaan astha was always intriguing ....since the serial spoiled their story ....it's their story all are interested in...🙂

Thañku so much for your update was waiting since long for the update, as always you leave us amazed with your writing skills, will wait eagerly for the next update

Oh dear!!! Shaurya & his fainting spells (from the show)...not sure if I should laugh or feel bad for him...poor dude😍

Aastha's back story is very interesting , i like the way you have developed this...logical & more believable when it comes to this mom & son relationship especially...

Loving this & looking forward to how Anokhi deals with Shaurya more profesionally or is it more personally...😅😊💖

❤️ Shaurya toh bada kamzor bacha nikla... Itnu sa bhi tolerate nai hua.. 😆.

I love how Anokhi keeps him up with task👍🏼 proud of manager lady... Sorry teacher lady... Astha trying to help Shaurya is sweet... We could possibly get smaller steps of mending relationship in your story.

To answer your previous question about Shaan.. Shaan here too manipulated Astha.. So he does seem worse than the one in show.. Plus here he spineless too...