Part 3 - "The Talented Ms Khan!"
Aahil woke up feeling groggy the next morning with his PS3 controls clutched against his chest. He had been playing a game but still thoughts of the lady in red had plagued him. He had fallen into a fitful sort of sleep. So hedidn't feel like he had a very relaxing sleep. It was 9.30am and he usually didn't wake up early during the weekend. He hated waking up early anyway. But today, he just didn't feel like lying in bed, because his thoughts were disturbing him. So some activity was what he needed
A swim would be best. He loved swimming in the indoor pool of his house. So he went into the bathroom and pulled out his swimming shorts from one of the drawers and changed into it. He walked to the pool and without any preamble, jumped in and started doing laps. After nearly half an hour, he was feeling more energized. He got out of the pool and went back into his room and had a shower. After his shower he came dressed in Khakhi colored cargo pants and a blue t-shirt to see if he could find Lattif, their man Friday. He was quite something. A man and a woman rolled in one. He was a cross dresser. One of a kind. He took a bit of getting used to, but he was cool though, and his favorite person in the house, barring his brother and mother. He went into the kitchen where he was sure Latiff would be at this time.
"Latiff!"
"Aahil Baba? Aap iteni subah subah?" said Latiff, who was surprised to see his boss awake so early on a Saturday.
"Han, main jaldi utha tha. Latiff...Can I have a Spanish omelette"?
"Spanish Omelette? Woh main picheli baar banaya tha, toh aapko ithni achi nahin lagi na?" said Latiff in a nervous tone.
"Oh...yeah! Maybe you can make me a Mango milkshake and toast"?
"Han...woh bana sakthi hun" said Latiff with a smile. Aahil left the kitchen with a small smile.
"I bet Lady in Red Sanam could make a great Spanish Omelette?" He found himself thinking as he went into the dining hall. "Of course she would know how to make a Spanish Omelette; she is Head Chef at a fine dining restaurant"!
What was the matter with him? Now he couldn't even think of having a lousy Omelette without thinking of that Sanam? "You're losing it Aahil", he told himself. "You need to get out of the house". He was hungry however and should at least have his Mango milkshake before going out.
He picked up the newspaper that had been delivered and placed in the hall. His Mother was out for the week as well and suddenly he realized how empty this big house was without Rehan, his Mother and his extended family. Suddenly he wondered what it would be like to have someone who was in this house because of him. Someone who was living in this house solely because of their relationship to him. Who else would be there in that capacity other than a wife?
He laughed at the idea of his Mother accepting a "Live In" girlfriend. That would never happen, and he himself didn't want that. He would either commit to someone fully, or not at all. He didn't think there was any value in bringing a woman into this house, when he himself didn't know what relationship he wanted to have with her. It was better to conduct his liaisons out of the house. His Mother would never tolerate anything else anyway. Also, there was no women he wanted to see on a daily basis, the very idea of having any of the girls he usually dated in the house day in and day out just drove him crazy even to think about it. This way he chose the time and the place and how much time he spent with any women he got involved with. But right now, if he admitted it to himself, then the truth was he felt lonely. He realized that his life was pretty much empty if his family members were not here, and he didn't have anyone here that was just here for him. Maybe thinking of turning 30 has really messed with his brain? Why else would all these thoughts suddenly plague him? This was not the first time Rehan and his Mum were away from home at the same time. It had never bothered him this much before?
At that very moment, Latiff came in with his toast and Mango milkshake. He had his food and decided to go into town. He thought of going to one of the high end coffee shops downtown. They had really good coffee and he loved his coffee. He had never been able to have the sort of coffee he had in the States here, but this coffee shop specialized in doing a variety of coffees. Suddenly he remembered that the coffee shop was actually quite close to "S2", the restaurant Sanam was Head Chef at. Not that it mattered to him, that it was close by. After all, it's not like the restaurant was open at this time anyway. He drove into town and parked his car and walked the block to where the coffee shop was. He entered the shop which was kind of busy and ordered a Double Espresso.
He sat down at one of the window seats and was just looking out watching the people that walked around. Suddenly the door of the coffee shop opened and a guy walked in. He recognized him as Sean, the Acting Head chef at S2 last night. Behind him someone else walked in. He did a double take when he realized it was Sanam. She was dressed in blue jeans and a white t-shirt. Her hair pined up carelessly with a clip and she was wearing a pair large sun glasses. She wore pale pink lipstick and looked like she barely had any makeup on, if at all. But she looked just as beautiful as she had done the night before.
His Lady in Red was the lady in white now. He just stared at her
unblinking. Once again, it was like he could not drag his eyes away. What was it about this woman? WHY was he not able to look away from her? She and Sean were standing together in line waiting to order their coffee. It didn't look like they were staying in the shop, coz they didn't sit down. They were chatting together and laughing like they had last night. "Was he her boyfriend?" Somehow Aahil found the thought quite unpalatable. Just as he was giving into his brooding thoughts, he saw someone else walk up beside Sean and Sanam. It was a girl with pale skin and straight brown hair. She was dressed in a blue sun dress. Sean turned around and put his arm around her and they gave each other a peck on the lips. Aahil didn't even realise that he involuntarily smiled. So THAT was Sean's girlfriend? Sanam was not! He suddenly felt his mood lift. Just then Sanam and her friends walked up to the counter and ordered their coffee. Then Sanam said something to Sean and turned around and walked out of the coffee shop. "Where did she go"? Aahil involuntarily stood up and walked out of the coffee shop himself. He then saw Sanam walk a block up the road and soon disappeared into 'S2'.
Aahil suddenly felt restless. The sudden appearance of Sanam in his morning and her equally quick disappearance left his dissatisfied. He wanted to see her again. But how? It's not like he can walk into her restaurant? It clearly had a "Closed" sign on the door. It was nearly Noon now and there didn't seem to be any indication that the restaurant was opening for lunch. They would be open by now if that was the case. Aahil stood there watching the door of the restaurant for a moment and then thought that this is ridiculous. He can't go in, and he can't stand out here? He should leave. But suddenly he realised that he had to see Sanam again.
He could not just dismiss whatever he was feeling. He had never felt this way before. "Dinner"! Of course I have to have dinner"! Brilliant
idea!" She worked in a restaurant and he had to have dinner. So what better plan than to come here tonight for dinner? Two nights in a row? Would that be 'stalker like'? "Your Aahil Raza Ibrahim. If you want to have dinner in the same restaurant two nights in a row, then you
can! Who will stop you?" This time he will make sure he got to pay for
the meal.
With that plan he walked back to his car and decided that he would call and make a reservation for dinner. But he could surely not come here alone? That would be too odd. Who could he ask to come out
with him at such short notice? If Rehan was here he would have come with him.
"Of course! Nida!".
Nida Begh was his friend since collage. She was a party girl and fun to
have around. They had been in the same group of friends. She had joined an airline a few years ago, coz she always wanted to travel the world. They always caught up whenever she was in town. They had a very open relationship where they told each other exactly what they thought. That is what he liked about his friendship with Nida. They had known each other so long, that they were always frank with each other. Neither ever tried to impress the other, so there was no issue of anything but honesty. Nida liked to flirt with him for fun, but they were
firm friends and it was very clear they would never be more. Neither wanted that anyway. At the moment she was in town. Her Mother had had a surgery 2 weeks ago, and she had taken time off from work to be at home for some weeks. Her brother was here too, but she had wanted to be there as well. Her Mother was fine, but Nida would still be in town for at least 2 more weeks before resuming work. So he could definitely ask her to go with him. So he called Nida, and asked her if she will go out to dinner with him tonight?
"Why Aahil? What happened to Simran?" said Nida cattily.
"We broke up"!
"Aww"..."That's too bad" said Nida in a sarcastic tone.
"Cut it out Nida. You knew very well it was never going to last!"
"Of course baby...but then, I always know when you are barking up the
wrong tree"!
"Very funny Nida!"
"So what is this place we are going to? I hope it's worth my while Aahil".
"Of course. It's this new place. S2'. They do a lot of fusion cuisine.
Before you ask...I HAVE been there, and their food is great. You won't regret it!"
"I better not. I was going to watch both seasons of Don't Trust the "B***h in Apartment 23 with Sohail tonight". (Sohail was Nida's brother)"!
"Sohail wants to watch that S**t'?" Aahil exclaimed.
"Sohail will watch whatever big sis tells him to watch. It's good for
him to get in touch with his feminine side".
"Tell him to spend the day with Latiff then".
"I want my brother to get in touch with his feminine side Aahil, not
become a female!"
"8pm then? I'll pick you up".
"Ok. See you then. This dinner better be good Aahil.
"It will be", said Aahil as he hung up.
Sanam and Sean were having a busy night. They were fully booked and it was craziness all the way in the kitchen.
"Has every person in town come to our restaurant tonight Sean"? asked
Sanam.
"Looks like San. But it's good. Looks like we are going to make a killing
tonight!"
"Yeah, and looks like we are getting killed too. Let's hope we don't
have any drama tonight".
"Yeah...no more 'Pana Cotta' style dramas like last night" said Sean
laughing.
"Trust me Sean. I am in NO mood to deal with another Mr Pompous
tonight!" said Sanam shaking her head.
"Sanam...your needed at table 5", their front house manager Neha said,
walking into the kitchen.
"What? Why Neha"?
"The gentleman there insists he wants to see the Head Chef".
"What? Ya Allah...WHAT is going on these days? Why is everyone after me? Yesterday it was that Mr Pompous...WHO is it today"?
"I'm not sure; I was not on last night Sanam. What happened?"
"Nothing that is worth repeating Neha. What exactly is the issue at
Table 5?"
"The guy didn't say. He said he wants to see only the head chef and he insisted Sanam. I did ask him if I can help in some way, but he said no. He will only discuss it with the Head Chef. He was very insistent, and he looked like trouble".
Sanam had a dreadful sense of deja vu hearing this, but she shook off
the feeling and told Neha to give her a minute. She went into the restroom for staff that was down the hall from the kitchen area and just straightened herself out. She didn't want to face an irate customer looking like something the cat dragged in. She re-pinned her hair back again, and put on a bit of gloss and sprayed herself with some deodorant and went out.
"Let's go Neha" she said, as she followed the front house manager onto
the restaurant floor.
Neha went towards Table 5, and Sanam was behind her. Just as Sean had done the day before, she approached the table, and within seconds Sanam stepped from behind her. As she looked up, what Sanam saw made her eyes widen. It was HIM! Mr Pompous. Aahil Raza Ibrahim. No wonder Neha had said that the guy looked like trouble. WHAT was the matter with this guy? IF he hated their food so much, why was he here again tonight?
"Sir, this is our head chef, Ms Sanam Ahemed Khan", said Neha. "Sanam this is Mr...?"
"Aahil Raza Ibrahim", said Mr Pompous in his smooth voice.
"Mr Ibrahim, I will leave you in the very capable hands of our Head
Chef. She will help you as per your request. Please excuse me"! said Neha, as she took her leave from the table.
Sanam glanced a bit to her right and saw that Mr Pompous was with a
women again. But this time a different one. She was more beautiful than the one that was with him last night. This girl was wearing a black strapped dress with a beautiful black bead choker on her neck. Sanam had to concede she was an improvement from Miss Whiny. "The man works fast" she thought. Suddenly Sanam felt at a disadvantage wearing her chef's outfit. It was hardly high fashion. She was in the middle of a dinner service and stressed and tired. It was not like last night, when she was off duty and all dressed up. Just as well, she had stopped and at least re-pinned her hair up again. Mr Pompous as usual was all dressed up in designer. He was wearing a black shirt and even though Sanam hated to admit it, he looked even more handsome than he had last night. Suddenly Sanam felt very angry. WHY was this man here again? "I bet he came here, just to get back at me for last night" she thought. After all, she had got the feeling that he was less than happy with how she had joked about him to her friends.
"Yes Mr Ibrahim? What can I do for you tonight?" said Sanam, her voice
cold.
"I called you to the table...", there was a pregnant pause, and Sanam
was bracing herself for another battle with him over something he wanted to criticize about their food. "Because I wanted to give the chef my compliments in person Ms Khan".
"Excuse me"? Said Sanam who could not quite hide her shock.
"Yes. I wanted to compliment you, on your excellent menu tonight".
"Oh" said Sanam, who was totally lost for words.
"Oh"?..."Is THAT all the response I can expect to receive Ms Khan"?
"I mean sorry...I mean Thank you"! said Sanam who was feeling extremely flustered.
"Aahil doesn't dole out compliments. Trust me. So you should really
consider this a big deal" said his female companion. Sanam glanced at the attractive women next to Aahil. She spoke with confidence, like she knew him very well. She looked back at Aahil and he had a self-satisfied smirk on his face. He had enjoyed calling her here, getting her on the defensive and then throwing a curve ball at her. Namely his "Compliment". Sanam felt her temper rising.
"If that is all, Mr Ibrahim, I would like to take my leave of you. We
are fully booked tonight, and I can't stay out of the kitchen for too long".
"Of course Ms Khan. I won't keep you any longer. Please let your floor
manager know that I am ready for my cheque", said Aahil smugly. Sanam could tell he was really enjoying this. After all, last night, she had had the upper hand, when she insisted he not pay for his meal.
"She will be here shortly", said Sanam. "Good evening Mr Ibrahim. "Ma'am", she said, turning to Nida.
"Have a nice night Ms Khan" said Aahil with a smile. Nida also gave her
a smile. Sanam nodded at both and turned on her heel and left. On her way, she informed Neha, that Table 5, was ready for their cheque. She naturally asked what the problem had been, and Sanam told her that "Mr Ibrahim" had just wanted to pay his compliments to the Head chef in person. Nothing more.
"Is THAT all? Then why didn't he just tell me? Why did he make it sound like there was a problem"?
"It's a long story Neha. Trust me the guy is twisted. Don't keep him
waiting", with that Sanam went back to the kitchen.
"So I presume THAT was the reason we came here tonight"? said Nida,
looking intently at Aahil.
"WHAT was the reason?" said Aahil feigning ignorance.
"The talented Ms Khan?"
"What do you mean Nida"?
"What I MEAN Aahil, is that I can see we are here tonight coz you had
some sort of score to settle with 'The Talented Ms Khan' over there. By the way, she's very pretty. Even in those awful shapeless chef's clothes".
"She was not in shapeless clothes last night", murmured Aahil.
"Last Night? You were here last night"?
"Yes"
"With Simran?"
"Yes"
"And now your are no longer with Simran? Am I to believe it has
something to do with your meeting with 'Ms Khan', in more 'Shapley' clothes last night?"
"What are you implying Nida"?
"Oh I am not IMPLYING anything baby. I am most CERTAIN that your sudden realisation of how boring and insipid that Simran was, has something to do with the feisty Ms Khan?"
"Stop reading so many romance novels Nida", said Aahil sarcastically.
"Oh NO, you won't get out of this one so easy Aahil. This has nothing to
do with romance novels and you KNOW I am a realist. That's how I stayed friends with you all these years! You have a "THING" for Ms Chef!" said Nida laughing.
"She got one up on me last night, I just came here to level the score"
said Aahil, briefly explaining what had happened the night before.
"No" said Nida shaking her head. "I don't buy it. This was more than
that. You could have even come here next week to level the score?Why come tonight? You called me out here at the 11th hour? Admit it Aahil,
you have a thing for her, and you came here to see her!"
"What if I do"? Admitted Aahil reluctantly. There was no hiding from
Nida.
"Aahil Raza Ibrahim...how the mighty fallen ha? I always knew that if you DID fall for someone, then you will have it BAD"!
"You don't know anything" muttered Aahil. He could feel heat creeping
over his face.
"OMG...Are you blushing? Oh God...you ARE, you ARE blushing?" said a
laughing Nida.
"Keep it down Nida" Aahil said through gritted teeth.
"Aww...it's SO cute. If I wasn't so sure you would kill me later, I would
pull your cheeks! Oh Aahil...you really DO have a thing for her. Poor you. She won't be that easy to sway. I can tell", said Nida giving Aahil a snide smile.
Aahil closed his eyes in exasperation. Just then Neha, the floor
manager, came with their cheque, and Aahil gave Nida a warning look to keep it down.
"So what was the problem out there San"? said Sean, as Sanam walked back into the kitchen.
"No problem. Just someone wanted to pay his compliments to the chef in person".
"The way Neha made it sound, it sounded like the guy wanted to complain"?
"Of course that is what it sounded like. Guess who it was"? said Sanam
looking at Sean squarely. For a minute Sean seemed confused and then sudden clarity appeared on his face.
"No way"!
"Yes way! It was Mr Pompous himself. Aahil Raza Ibrahim"!
"He actually called you out to compliment you"?
"Yes. The guy is such a jerk. He loves to play mind games"!
"He paid you a compliment San?"
"Yes, but he did it to spite me Sean. He wanted to get back at me for
last night. So he made it sound to Neha like there was a problem, and when I got to the table and saw HIM, of course I was expecting trouble! Then he throws a total curve ball at me, and tells me that he called me over to Compliment the chef in person, for our excellent menu tonight"! huffed Sanam.
"The guy does sound like he loves to play mind games, but I am sure he
loved the food Sanam. Coz if not, he wouldn't pay us a compliment no matter how much he wanted to get his back!"
"I guess so" said admitted reluctantly. "He REALLY enjoyed telling me to let Neha know he was ready for the cheque'. Said Sanam her eyes flashing fire.
Sean started to laugh at that.
"What's so funny Sean?"
"Come on San...it IS funny! You have to give it to the guy, he leveled the score!"
"Whatever"!
"Was he with Miss Whiny again"?
"No. Someone else. She was a lot prettier, and had a better voice" Sanam muttered reluctantly.
"I told you the guy has an 'Aura'?"
"Yeah, and probably a Jag to go with it, not to mentioned his 'Title'.
That's why all these chicks are lining up for him". However, Sanam had the feeling that this girl was not someone he met recently. She seemed extremely comfortable with him.
"No it's not just that. The man has something else".
"Why don't YOU date him then"? Said Sanam cattily.
"Ok Ok. He's Marquis De Said in disguise! A mind game player, and a player of the highest order! Happy now"? Said Sean laughing.
"You're a jerk" said Sanam, throwing a tea towel at him, which Sean
caught with one hand. They both laughed and went back to work.
As Aahil left "S2" with Nida, he wondered when he was going to see Sanam again. He could always come back here for dinner? "After all, I like the food"? Thought Aahil. Yes there was something about Sanam. But surely he had not "fallen" for her like Nida said?
Back in the kitchen, Sanam wondered if Aahil would come back to "S2"?
What reason did he have to come now? "After all, he likes the food" thought Sanam. Anyway, why was she wasting her time thinking of him? It's not like she wanted to see him again.
Both "Mr Game Player" and "Talented Ms Khan" seemed to be protesting too much.
To be continued...
Hope you guys liked this part. Things will move along considerably next chapter. I am travelling at the moment. So will try and update in the next few days.
Thanks
Mandy
Previous part - Part 2 - "Back Story" Next Part - Part 4 - "Twin Torment" - Part 1
Edited by MrDarcyfan - 10 years ago
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