Chapter 10

Surprisingly, ASR had not sent any text to Khushi the next day. She was wondering if maybe, she had said too much the night before and had hardly slept, thinking about the impending text she may receive the next day...but the day had dawned bright and fresh, without any text!

As she entered the restaurant with an excited jump in her step, she knew things were going to change and it did! She realized that this was probably the most normal day she had ever had since joining Perido. Her boss had hardly interfered in her work, keeping distance from her and in fact even stopped his usual taunts that he specially reserved for Khushi. 

Everyone seemed to be very surprised with this new ASR and were more bewildered when he actually complimented the clean glasses that the server's were laying on the table for dinner service. This definitely put Ms Gupta's mind in a tizzy, as for the first time she didn't' mentally curse her boss all day!

On the other hand, Khushi was also finding it very difficult being normal in front of Akash and Payal, who were back to being their usual selves. She tried to find some romantic body language or just about anything on which to catch Payal! But then thought it best to wait till they went public...she respected their decision to keep it a secret.

As the day finally came to an end, and the staff gathered in the kitchen for a quick bite before going home, Arnav called for Khushi in his office to everyone's astonishment and especially Khushi's who was dreading meeting him alone.

She knew that things won't change in a day...he had probably kept all the nastiness for bombarding her at the end of the day. But when she went to meet him in his cabin, he seemed to be in some very deep thoughts, hardly noticing her presence in the room

"Uh..Sir? You called me?" Khushi asked him as he came out of his trance and looked at her "Yes, Ms Gupta...I wanted to speak to you about something" he said as Khushi nodded and remained standing clutching the back of the swivel chair tightly, as she waited for him to continue.

"What you said yesterday..." he said as Khushi closed her eyes...this is it...be ready Khushi Gupta for a barrage of taunts and bitterness that ASR will be spewing any minute "You were right.." he said as Khushi opened her eyes in shock...did she hear him correctly?

"You were right about me wanting to remove you...but not in the sense you think..." he said as she kept staring at him wide-eyed "I was not sure about you when you joined, mainly because of the circumstances in which you did and also the fact that you seemed to be looking down on lower menial job" he said as Khushi's eyes flashed

She was just about to open her mouth to again defend herself, but stopped when she heard his next words "...but then, I saw your dedication towards work and how diligently you have been doing your job and even though I'm quite sure you are suitable for a much better role than a dish washer...I won't be promoting you right away...you have a lot to learn still" he said as Khushi started breathing hard...this was a dream...yes, that explains it

"What I'm trying to say here is, I don't want to remove you anymore Khushi...you are doing a good job and I want you to continue doing it. However, what I said about NK and you, was my perception of how I saw things" he said as Khushi came out of her shock and frowned at him "No, I know you said you don't think of him that way...but NK...something tells me that he likes you" he said as Khushi sighed 

"And I only ask you to make sure that there is no awkwardness in the work place, so its best you deter NK from making any moves" he said and mentally cringed at his choice of words Making moves!' what was wrong with him? 

"Sir...first of all, thank you for appreciating my work and I assure you that I will keep doing my best at whatever I do, but as far as NK is concerned, he is just a good friend and has never shown any such interest in me. So, there is no question of me doing anything about it and even if it does come to that, then I know how to keep my personal and professional life separate" she said as Arnav narrowed his eyes at her

"Does that mean you will date him if he asks you out?" he asked her as she once again felt like punching his face in sheer annoyance "He will not ask me out and even if he does, it will be my choice to say yes or no, but whatever my answer is, it will not affect my work and if it does, I will willingly leave my job" she said as Arnav felt an icy rage take over him, making him grit his teeth in annoyance

"Please leave Ms Gupta...I have work to do. You have already wasted enough of my time...go and do what you do best...clean the damn dishes!!" he said dismissing her so rudely that she had no option but to turn around and leave "So much for a good day!" she said tiredly, as she went back to the loud kitchen, leaving a fuming and utterly frustrated ASR behind!

xxx

The next three days went smoothly, with ASR not being there. Things were perfect without the usual heat of their boss breathing down their necks and everyone seemed to be doing just fine in his absence.

As Khushi sat reading the newspaper in the staff area, she sighed as she took a sip of the aromatic coffee Madhu had made for her. After that late evening talk between them, ASR had suddenly left for Delhi the next morning, leaving an odd feeling in Khushi's heart.

Why was he so bothered about her and NK? And why didn't he understand that she did not think of NK in that way and neither did he! In fact, if she were to tell NK about their boss's doubts, he will most definitely die laughing! Plus what did he mean by saying that Payal and Akash are professionals? Why did he doubt that she would not be?

Hmph...on top of everything, she was having these strange not so appropriate dreams about her boss, depriving her of her well deserved sleep! It was damn annoying because ever since that dance, her stomach had been doing all kind of flippity floppity actions, whenever ASR was near her. She felt unnecessarily nervous in front of him and it wasn't helping that she kind of missed her Kroor Singh of a boss...what was wrong with her!

She sighed as she popped a warm cookie in her mouth, it was a slow day today, but would be crazy busy in the evening with the weekend coming in. She went back to sipping her now tepid coffee, when a commotion in the kitchen made her hastily leave everything and walk in to see what was going on

"It's been so long since I've stepped into the Kitchen. I just love the smell of fresh baking and other goodies you guys whip up" a beautiful woman in a simple but elegant pant suit, stood talking to Madhu and Payal who were giggling away with her.

When they noticed Khushi, the woman gave her a gorgeous smile, bright enough to lift anyone's spirit "Oh, Anjali ji, this is Khushi...she's just joined us recently...and Khushi, this is Anjali Desai, ASR's sister" Payal said as Khushi gave her a genuine smile and shook hands with her 

"It's such a pleasure meeting you maam" Khushi said as Anjali left out a tinkling laugh "Maam? Oh God!...I feel like such an old woman...please call me Anjali or as the staff here insists on calling me with a Ji' at the end of it" she said as Khushi watched in awe Is she really ASR's sister? What a contrast!' Khushi thought as Anjali burst out laughing

"Yes, we are a contrast. If I am day, he is night!" she said as Payal gave Khushi a reproachful look, making her aware that she had once again spoken out her thoughts loudly! "I'm so sorry Anjali ji...I didn't mean it that way" she said apologetically, when Anjali shook her head and continued smiling at her

"Don't be silly...at least you are honest and I like a woman who speaks her mind!" she said as Khushi relaxed in her company. Soon the four women were discussing various topics ranging from Baking to films. They also came to know that Anjali was visiting Mumbai for a day or two, while she lived with her husband and son in Pune

"Since you love pie's so much, I'd love to bake one for you..." Khushi said, as she genuinely wanted to do something for Anjali  "I would love that Khushi, and if you aren't too busy right now, I'd love to help you make one" she said as Khushi paled, making Payal chuckle at her 

"Anjali ji, Khushi is scared of your brother...the last time she cooked without permission, he nearly threw her out" Payal said as Madhu giggled away while Khushi's pale face now turned tomato red "Oh ho! Arnav will never change!...Listen Khushi, you don't worry about that, If I say it's ok, he will not mind" she said as Khushi smiled, but her mind was in a dilemma.

On one hand she really wanted to make that pie for this wonderful woman, but she remembered how ASR had blasted her the last time, saying that even though Akash had allowed her, she should not do anything in this kitchen without his express permission. But then, Anjali ji is his sister, so he won't mind right?

"Ok...if you say so...let's get on with it then! How about cherry? They are in season and we just received a fresh batch in the morning" she asked as Anjali smiled indulgently at the child woman, who had already made a place in her heart with her honest, innocent talks and lively character...she really was a beautiful girl, inside out

"Sure Khushi...I love cherry!...but you have time right? I don't want to interfere in your work" Anjali said as Khushi shook her head "No, it won't...I've done everything for now and it shouldn't take me more than half an hour to whip it up since we have pre-baked pie crusts" she said as Anjali laughed at her enthusiasm!

Anjali had only come in to say a quick hello to the staff before making her way to Arnav's cabin to wait for him. But his flight had gotten delayed and she was more than glad that she got to meet Khushi who was busy flitting around the kitchen preparing the pie for her.

She watched in rapt attention as she pitted the cherries and kept them to boil in a sugary syrup with some aromatic spices. She then started whipping up stuff that looked like a meringue preparation making Anjali's mouth water.

She reached out for her phone and sent a quick text to Arnav who would probably wonder where she was when he came to the restaurant, which if she calculated correctly, would probably be in a few minutes now. When she turned back to Khushi, the girl was standing pacing around the oven as she waited for the pie to bake

"Khushi...come and sit here...it's not going to quicken up if you walk around it" Anjai said as the rest of the staff laughed at the sight of Khushi walking to and fro. As Khushi made her way back to seating area and started chatting once again with Anjali 

They were soon bought out of their talks,when the oven pinged , indicating that the pie was ready "Khushi...that smells awesome!...please tell me you've made enough for all of us" Madhu said sniffing around as Khushi carefully removed the small tart pan out

"Sorry Madhu...I did not want to waste any of the produce as ASR does not like it...so made only an individual pie" she said as Madhu made a face at her while she served the hot pie on one of the dessert plates, decorating it with the remaining jus from the cherry syrup and presented it to Anjali who was waiting impatiently.

"Oh my! Khushi...this looks so wonderful...and I just love meringue!"Anjali exclaimed as she cut a piece out and blew on it before tasting it. Khushi waited with anticipation, as Anjali let out a long "Ummm..." making Khushi sigh in relief.

"This is so delicious!! You are a genius Khushi...Have you ever thought of being a pastry chef? Or wait...are you one already?" Anjali asked, as she gobbled down the warm pie when Arnav's gruff voice interrupted their little bubble of happiness "She is neither Di...Ms Gupta is merely a dish washer who has no rights to cook in this kitchen!" he said coming in, dressed in a three piece suit, looking more lethal than ever!

"Arnav...is this the way you speak to a girl? She just made me a wonderful pie which for your very kind information is absolutely delicious and it was I who asked her to make it for me when she was clearly afraid to go against you. And if she is merely a dish washer, you should immediately change her position to that of a cook...this is just..." Anjali started saying when Arnav stopped her with his palm up

"Please di, I know who is capable of what in my Kitchen. Just because she made you a pie, she does not qualify to work as a cook in a Michelin started restaurant. Now if you are done with your little pie experiment, should we head home?" he asked his sister who gave him an angry stare before getting down from the chair

She looked at a forlorn looking Khushi, who smiled at her in spite of Arnav's caustic words. Her brother really needed to watch himself, how rude can someone be! She did not say much to him at the moment since his staff was privy to their conversation but as soon as she sits in the car with him, she will be twisting his ear like old times to scold him

"Khushi...thank you so much dear for the pie. You are truly a wonderful cook and don't let anyone tell you otherwise!...I hope to see you soon" she said as she hugged Khushi who hugged her back quickly before nodding and smiling at the kind woman "It was a pleasure meeting you too Anjali ji...please have a safe journey home and do try out the recipe I gave you for your son" Khushi said as Arnav rolled his eyes...but his gaze suddenly shifted to his sister who seemed to be swaying on her feet

"Di!" he shouted loudly, as his sister who was just now hugging and laughing with his staff, fainted in his arms. Someone got water for him, which he sprinkled on her face, but the redness that was slowly creeping up on her fair skin gave Arnvav a good idea of what had happened.

"Were there any nuts in that damn pie?" Arnav asked as he picked up his sister in his arms while Akash went to get the car to go to the hospital. He looked angrily at Khushi who stood mute for a while as Arnav screamed at her "Were there any nuts dammit?" he shouted again as Khushi nodded weakly "Yes...Al...almonds.." she said as Arnav looked at her with such anger, that it made her tremble.

"She is allergic to them you fool!" he shouted at her before turning around and rushing out of the kitchen, leaving Khushi standing shell shocked while Payal held her hand...his sister was allergic to nuts...and she had probably put her life in immense danger by serving her the same.