Chapter Ten
Mohan couldn't have asked for a better day. Megha was busy working at the terrace. He settled down with his laptop, next to Nanhi's cradle. He traced back to the sweet memory of Megha's morning face inviting him in. With great difficulty he had controlled his urge to move a strand of hair that was hiding her face. He didn't want to think what was in store for his future, but he was content with whatever was happening in the present
"Wouldn't we make a great team, Cookie?" He asked a sleeping Nanhi
After an hour or two, when Megha returned from the terrace initiating her painting work, she found Mohan sleeping near the cradle.
He looks so sweet and lovable! She stood at the doorway adoring him for a while before walking into the kitchen
She thought of preparing breakfast, instead of serving bread, rolls and cornflakes, her usual. She hoped her cooking to turn out well. If not at least it would chase him away. She giggled.
When she was almost done with the cooking, she heard footsteps.
"What is that smell?" Mohan asked
"Is it good or bad?"
"I think it is good!"
"Pray that it tastes as good as it smells. I got to warn you that I am not great at the kitchen but have tried my best today"
"I am impressed!"
"Hope you are, after eating too" Both laughed
Mohan explored his options on the table. One look at the rotis said, they were hard enough to hit someone. The dhal looked decent enough to eat. The coffee smelled strong.
How bad could it be! He thought and took a seat in front of Megha
Tearing a piece of roti, only broke it into pieces and it sounded like crispy biscuits. Mohan managed to put a piece of it, dipped in dhal, into his mouth. He gulped it with a sip of strong coffee. He didn't know which one tasted worse - the bitter coffee or the salty dhal or the crispy roti! He didn't control his facial expression to show what he felt.
Megha didn't pretend liking the food either. They burst into laughter sharing the feast of disaster.
"I warned you" Megha said amidst her laughter
"I should have listened"
"Trial day done. Over to continental breakfast" Megha announced
"Have you always been this bad?" He asked in between his laughter
"I think today I turned out to be extra special!" She responded without being offended
Mohan regarded her laughing at her own foibles, with warm approval. She appeared to be joking over her own troubles, but also gathering strength from them.
And he was glad that she was getting to be comfortable around him. Though he doubted how much of her relief had to do with the notion of his presence only for few months.
"Hello Megha" Tanya interrupted their conversation barging in
"Hi Mohan! Good Morning" Tanya looked at Mohan as if she had been magnetized
Mohan didn't like the interruption but managed to stay cool
"Morning!" He said and concentrated on his breakfast
He just forgot what he had on his plate and took a bite again to curve his mouth in distaste. Megha noticed it and chuckled
"What is that you are having?" Tanya went closer to Mohan
"Please have this" He offered the food to her instantly
"Did you make it?" She asked hopefully
"No, I did!" Megha volunteered
"Oh my God! Megha, are you planning to kill him?" Tanya sounded dramatic
"I have just started" Megha replied
The girls laughed out loud, leaving Mohan scared out of his wits. They heard the baby cry without giving a moment's hesitation Mohan rushed into the room. Megha was astounded at his alertness. The girls watched as Mohan walked out of the room, cradling the baby in his arms. Nanhi stopped crying and was giving attention to his petting words
"Are you available, Mr. Handsome?" Tanya's bluntness shocked both Mohan and Megha
"I got to ask my girl" He said quickly recovering from the shock
Tanya turned to query Megha, Megha gave Mohan a cold stare, but Mohan was looking at Nanhi
"What do you say, Cookie? Are we available?" He asked Nanhi who was smiling at him
Tanya went near Mohan to take her from him. He just swayed away from Tanya's hold as if not willing to trust her with the baby. Tanya sighed and walked away. Megha reached out to take Nanhi from Mohan
Megha pointed to her breakfast storage shelf and said "Help yourself"
He walked towards it and explored the containers.
"That's a good collection. Anyway kitchen is my favorite domain. I would love to cook breakfast for us. But I am expensive" He leaned over the table with folded arms
He wanted to crawl into her space slowly without making her feel weak and frail.
"Not if I could make a deal" She gave a crooked smile
"What's the bargain, this time?" He rested on the table folding his arms
"I will take an hour off of your time with your Cookie" She winked, glancing at Nanhi
"Ouch, that hurts!" He pretended to be hurt
"I figured which woman in this house has your attention" Megha smirked
"Are you disappointed?" Mohan probed
"Absolutely not. I am happy that you have a weak spot" She smiled
"Hmm... My boss is very smart. Got to be careful"
"You better be!"
They shared an understanding glance.
Good God, he is Prince Charming! How am I going to get rid of him?! She wondered.
God, she's amazing. Hope she lets me in her life! He wished.
Edited by Senpoo - 12 years ago