Chapter - 23
Yash tapped his finger on the steering-wheel impatiently as he waited for Arti to pick up. Curse this traffic he thought, glowering balefully at the stalled cars ahead of him. "Hello!" came a breathless voice just then distracting him from his abuse of Delhi traffic jams.
"Artiji! Are you ok? Why are you panting?" Yash asked worriedly.
Arti smiled to herself as she noted his panic. She knew how worried he was. "Nothing Yashji. I left the phone in the bedroom so ran to answer it just now. Stop worrying so much."
Completely ignoring her last few words he continued, "I am sorry, I am still stuck in traffic. Are you sure...?"
"Yashji. Stop. Breathe. Yes I am sure. I can manage. And I can look after myself. Don't worry so much, I have looked after myself all my life" she said blithely, completely unaware of the pinched look that came over his face at her words.
"I don't like him..." Yash grumbled into the phone and Arti's smile gew wider at the old refrain. "I know", she chuckled. "You are laughing?" he accused. At that she burst into a full-blown laugh.
"Yashji. Its ok, it really is. I know you don't like the man. But like you said, the client's wishes take priority, right? So we have to do this. And really, I really can look out for myself. Don't worry" she repeated.
He sighed over the phone. "This meeting took way too long, darn it. I am sorry..."
"And stop apologizing. Its ok, it will be fine... I will be fine. Now tell me, how was the meeting?" Arti tried to pacify him. On the other end, Yash shook his head, "Waste of time" and she was not sure whether he referred to the meeting or her advice for him to stop worrying. "I'll tell you when I get there. Artiji - take care."
He swore at the traffic again as he hung up. He knew Artiji could take care of herself. But he did not like this man, had distrusted him from the first. He may be one of the best chefs in Delhi, but Yadav was a creep. If the clients had not insisted... and if this meeting had not coincided...
They had realized early on that they could not grow their business just by word-of-mouth - not in Delhi, not the way they wanted to grow and expand. They needed to break into the exclusive political and business circles. And while their contacts and networks had got them these three initial contracts, they were not sufficient. They needed something more, some one more, some one with the backing and network already in place who could help them break into the cliques that governed the powerhouse that was Delhi. One step towards that was to find and partner with the right kind of marketing firm and his research had narrowed down to two firms. The meeting that morning had been with one of the firms. If it hadn't been so critical, there was no way he would have left Artiji to deal with Yadav on her own. He did not trust that man...
Arti was making a final inspection of the kitchen when the doorbell rang. She opened the door to find a sauve, good-looking man at the door who smiled widely at her. "Good Morning. You must be Arti. I am Gaurav Yadav" he said extending his hand as he stepped inside.
Replying with a Namaste instead, Arti said, "Yes, I am Mrs. Scindia. How are you Mr. Yadav?"
"I am good" he replied with a slight smirk as he took in the empty house. "I believe Yash is out, he just called me a little while back."
Not liking the glint in the man's eyes, Arti replied, "He will be here shortly. What would you like, tea, coffee?"
"You" he said and at Arti's shocked expression he laughed out loud, "Oh, that's an old saying in the airline industry, Coffee, Tea or me you know. And don't worry, I am not here to eat or drink. I am here to whip up a surprise for your clients instead."
"The kitchen is this way" Arti said, leading him there. The man put her on edge and she immediately understood why Yash distrusted him so much. But like she had told her husband, the client's wishes were paramount. And these clients had insisted they approach Yadav for their event. The man was supposed to prepare a dish or two which they had to then take to the clients' for approval. It would have been much simpler to let Yadav prepare the dishes in his own kitchen and then pick it up. However, the client's gradmother had insisted everything be shudh before the Vaishnav bhojan was prepared and under their supervision, but she refused to let the man enter their own kitchen. So the Scindias had been forced to offer theirs so Arti could ensure everything was purified and could supervise Yadav as well. The old lady trusted Arti implicitly, and while normally that was a great asset, in this one instance her faith had been hard to live up to given how much Yash disliked the man.
The man was a marvel in the kitchen though, there was no doubt about that. Arti showed him where everything was kept and then stood aside as he took over, cutting vegetables, preparing the batter, washing, chopping, frying, cooking all in one fluid motion. It was almost like watching a dance Arti realized as he moved through the kitchen with quick assurance. In 30 minutes he had two snacks prepared and was straining out the tea. With a smile at Arti he put everything on a tray and carried it into the living room.
As Arti cleared out a table for him, she felt an arm snake around her waist. Nearly jumping out of her skin she moved away as he chuckled out loud. "Arti Arti Arti...you are home alone, waiting for me, looking good enough to eat yourself..."
Before he could complete the sentence, the tray was taken out of his hand. He turned around sharply and looked into cold eyes, glinting with fury, an emotion he was well used to encountering. Yadav put his palms up and said, "Ah Yash. You are home. Lousy timing my friend - couldn't you have waited for 10 more minutes?"
In a quiet, cold tone Yash said, "Get out."
"Ah, but your client Yash, your client. What are you going to do without me? They want me you know, and I am damned hard to get" Yadav replied smirking.
"I wouldn't hire you even if you were easy. Get out and stay out" Yash replied in the same even tone, though his stance stiffened even more.
"You will not get another chef my friend. Not at such short notice, not one as brilliant as me" Yadav prodded.
Yash replied by holding the door open and after a finger salute towards Arti, Yadav walked out.
Shutting the door behind him, Yash turned to look at Arti who still stood at the edge of the table. He went to her then and held her hand gently. "Sorry Artiji" he said again. Arti snapped out of her stupor and shook her head, "Not your fault. I have faced this before as well. But I had thought after marriage and in my own home..." she trailed off as a shiver of repulsion ran through her. As her hands turned cold and the trembling increased, Yash enfolded her in a hug and held her, not saying a word till her trembling subsided.
"Sorry Yashji. I could have handled him, but I am so glad you got home in time." She rubbed her hands over her arms as she tried to warm herself up. Yash handed her a cup of tea, and despite her revulsion, she took the cup, thankful as the hot beverage flowed through her, warming her up. She finished the tea and as she kept the cup down, she asked, "What are we going to do now? The engagement dinner is a week away and the clients are expecting a sample menu tonight."
Yash sighed as he ran his fingers though his hair. "We will figure something out." For the next hour they called every chef and hotel that had been recommended to them, but to no avail. Yadav had been right about one thing at least - it was going to be very difficult to find a chef at such short notice in this busy season.
Suddenlly Arti's phone rang. She mouthed Deepak at him as she got up to answer the call. And Yash got an idea - a solution, a perfect solution. Of course! How had he missed this? When Arti came back, she found him pacing. "Deepak will be late today, extra classes" she said. Yash barely heard her as he worked out the details in his head. After a few minutes he nodded in satisfaction and turned to Arti, "Come on Artiji".
Not giving her time to ask questions, he hustled her out of the house. Too impatient to wait for the elevators, he ran down the stairs and Arti followed. As they reached the car, Arti asked him breathlessly, "Yashji, what happened?" He held open the door for her and she got in. As he started the car, he finally told her, "Ratan." The one name was enough and the delighted look on her face was the only confirmation Yash needed that he was on the right track.
After Ansh started school, Arti had started working with Yash in earnest. Even with their dedicated efforts though, they knew they were running out of time. And that is when Shiraz had suggested they hire Deepak. The boy had progressed tremendously in his artistic endeavors under Shiraz's guidance, but the mentor knew the boy would need a more stable career than pure arts to make a mark for himself. So when Yash mentioned his situation, Shiraz had suggested Deepak. The boy was eager, more than eager to help. He was delighted to be able to help his Artididi and Jijaji, but Shiraz had also told him how the experience would be good for him in getting ahead in a career that was steeped in creativity but had a firm business footing. Yash and Arti had worked with Zoya to come up with a contract that would be most beneficial to Deepak. While he would earn a stipend during these months of what they termed an internship, he would receive a percentage of the profits as his fees, but it would be paid into an account in trust, set up to pay for his higher education.
Working with Deepak, Arti and Yash went to the orphanage very frequently and they had gotten back into the habit of spending a large part of their Sundays there. The Sunday visits generally included a lunch, which was prepared by Ratan. He had grown up in the same orphanage and when the staff had discovered his culinary talents and interest they had paid for his training in culinary school. Though Ratan had graduated at the top of his class and had won rave reviews from his teachers and visiting chefs, he had not been able to secure a job. Being an orphan he did not have the contacts he needed to land a job in a hotel or even in a restaurant. He had been working at the orphanage since, eventually heading the kitchen there. Much as he loved his work he knew his talents and experience were severely underutilized.
Ratan was heady with delight at the opportunity. "Nothing is final Ratan, I don't want to get your hopes up" Yash cautioned. "We need to make sure the Guptas, our clients are satisfied. They need to like what you prepare tonight - if they approve, then..."
By then Ratan was nodding his head vigorously, "Yash Bhaiyya, don't worry. They will love what I make." The three sat down and decided on a menu for the clients to sample. Arti helped Ratan in the orphanage kitchen and then with the manager's approval, they took him home, where he whipped up the items they had decided on - a savoury, daal, vegetables, chutney and a sweet dish. Zoya and Ammi took Ansh with them for the evening, while Arti went with Yash to the Guptas. Ratan waited in the car, nervously chewing on his finger nails.
The Guptas loved the meal. Only when they had given their whole-hearted approval did Yash reveal that it was not made by Yadav. "This meal was made by Ratan, a new budding chef, a hidden ratan waiting for his first break." At the spluttering tones of disbelief bordering on outrage, Yash continued, "The man has years of experience and impeccable training. He is part of the Scindia event management team. Do you like the food he made?" In the face of the vehement praises they had been heaping on the meal just moments before, the Guptas could only nod their agreement. "Then do you agree to take him on as your chef?"
"But we wanted Yadav" almost wailed Mrs. Gupta. "Everyone is expecting him."
"Yadav is excellent no doubt. But think Mrs Gupta - you have found a hidden treasure, you will have the honour of unveiling his talents in front of society. The same people expecting Yadav will hound you for the name of your secret chef. And secret he must remain, for we will unfold his genius for the first time in your daughter's engagement party. The food will be something that your friends will remember for a long time. And you will get all the credit for introducing a brand new creative genius to Delhi" Yash said smoothly, hitting all her weak points.
The simple meal had touched a chord in the grandmother and she turned to her son and daughter-in-law. "Yahi ladka khana baneyga. Wakeye mein ratan hai. Aaj itne barson baad usne mere gaon ki, mere ma ki yaad diladi." (This boy will cook. He really is a gem. Today, after so many years, his food reminded me of home, of my mother). The formidable matriarch had spoken, and the chef was finalized.
That night as they got ready for bed, Arti remembered the early morning meeting. "What happened at the meeting with the marketing firm Yashji?" she asked. Yash shook his head, "They are good, but don't have the background we need. I have to meet with the other company and see; if those guys don't work out either then it's a toss up."
"I don't think I ever asked, who are they? Which companies?" Arti asked as she tucked in Ansh more securely and smoothed out the bed. Yash mentioned the name of the firm he had met that day. "And tomorrow evening, I meet with Ace Marketing."
"Ace Marketing? I don't think..." Arti started. Yash looked up at her, "What? You don't think what?"
Arti shook her head, "Do you have a file or a website or something? I don't remember an Ace Marketing, though they may be new."
It was Yash's turn to shake his head, "No, they have been around for eight or so years. Or so they claim... here" he said as he pulled out the file from his briefcase and handed it to her. Arti opened it and as she read the first page, her face broke out into a smile. "What is it Artiji?"
"Its not Ace Marketing Yashji, its ACE Marketing - Aman Chauhan Enterprises. I know these guys, they are really good. And they may well have the contacts we are looking for" she mused, as she continued reading.
"How do you know them?" Yash asked, curious.
"They used Mamujan's law firm. And I managed their account. I have worked with Aman, he may be just what we need." She looked at him her eyes shining now, "I can't believe I hadn't even thought of him."
"It was pretty difficult to even get an appointment with their VP. I tried to get in touch with Mr. Chauhan, but no luck. My meeting tomorrow is with their sales VP" Yash said.
"Let me see, Aman had given me his contact information, I might still have it" Arti said, pikcing up her phone. She scrolled through her contacts list and then nodded, "Yes! Still have it. Let me call him" she said, dialing the number.
"Now?" Yash asked in surprise. "Its after 10pm." Arti shrugged, "If he does not answer, I will leave a message." Just then the call connected and Yash heard the one-sided conversation.
"Aman? Hello! Its Arti. I used to work in..." and she smiled. "You remember?" and Yash saw a grin break out.
"Listen, my husband and I... what? Oh yes, I guess you did not know. I left because I got married again and went to Bhopal...well, your sales VP is meeting him tomorrow. I was wondering...really? Wonderful!... Yes, that's perfect... Yes, we will be there. Of course! Great talking to you again Aman... Good night!" and she hung up the call.
She turned to Yash excitedly and said, "Aman will meet with us tomorrow morning. At nine. I told him it was ok - we can clear our calendars for this, right?" Yash nodded in reply.
Arti went to sleep, happy and content, a smile gracing her lips even in sleep. Yash lay awake for a long time, remembering each inflection of Arti's voice as she spoke on the phone, each look, each word... he had never seen her so animated, except when she played with Ansh. Aman Chauhan - Artiji was... very friendly with this man, more friendly, even more comfortable than she was with him and Yash could not help the sharp pang at that thought.
They were dropping Ansh off early so they could meet Aman on time. Yash waited impatiently for Arti. Whatever was taking her so long? She never took so much time to get ready. "Artiji? Are you ready?" he called. "Coming Yashji" she replied and a moment later she walked into the room and his breath caught.
Who was this woman? If he hadn't known, he would not have recognized her as the same Arti he knew, the same woman he had married, the simple, traditional mother of his son... Yash stared bemused at the woman in front of him. Arti was dressed in slim, black slacks, with a white form-hugging shirt. The staid lines were softened by the red-white-gold scarf she had looped around her neck once, the only concession to feminity, but it was enough. She wore minimal make-up, with just a touch of lip-gloss and kajal and her long lustrous hair was tied into a loose chignon at the nape of her neck. She wore tiny studs in place of her usual ear-rings and carried a tan purse.She looked a consummate professional and every inch a business woman in her outfit with the matching black high-heels. A very sexy business woman came the thought unbidden to his mind.
Arti looked at his expression and her face paled. "I knew I shouldn't have worn these. Give me a minute Yashji, I will change." What was she thinking!! Prashant had always told her western wear did not suit her. Just because Yashji thought she looked ok in skirts was no reason to go all out and wear her old formals again! She should have remembered...she should have known better...
Yash held her arm to stop her as she turned. "Yashji, I will just be a minute. I promise, I won't delay..."
"You look perfect. There is no need to change. Come on" Yash said and tugged at her arm slightly.
After they dropped Ansh off and were driving to meet with Aman, Arti asked him the question that had been troubling her. "Why were you looking at me like that then?"
Yash looked at her and quickly looked away. A tendril had escaped from her knot and was grazing her cheek. Her knot... his hands itched to unravel that knot and let loose her lovely hair... "Like what?" he asked instead, reigning in his errant thoughts.
"You were staring at me. Like I looked like an alien" she said, her voice wobbling over the last word.
He smiled slightly and flicked her cheek, "I could not recognize my traditional Indian wife in the modern business woman standing in front of me".
"So... I look ok?" she asked, still hesitant, still unsure.
"You look more than ok, Artiji. You look perfect" he said and smiled at her. She smiled back at him weakly and as he looked in front again, she blinked back the tears that had suddenly sprung up. Why? Why did his words mean so much? Just clothes, but what he said and the way he said it made her feel on top of the world.
Next: Chapter 24 Edited by kdsubs - 12 years ago
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