Chapter 12

Khushi yawned loudly as she made her way to the back of the restaurant. It was Sunday morning and Perido was closed as usual till evening, but Akash had asked her to come by, to take an urgent delivery of the newly commissioned china that was being delivered today.

She cursed Akash as she yawned again while punching in the security code to get inside. She was still nervous from the seafood delivery fiasco and has insisted Akash, to give her a proper check-list of the items that were to be signed for.

She kept her bag in the usual nook and switched on few lights in the kitchen, before proceeding to make herself a pot of fresh coffee...God only knows how much she needed one! 

She had hardly had any sleep since that fateful day; the same day she had nearly sent her boss's sister to the hospital. And the days preceding it, when she had seen a different side to ASR...a very humane and kind side which had left her sleepless and very very curious

Also it did not help, that her mind kept going over that impromptu hug she had given him. What was she thinking!? What would he be thinking? Though he had not acted differently towards her and in fact had been a bit normal than his usual grumpy and rude self, that episode had left a kind of awkward tension between them

She could feel it whenever they were in a room together, its like her entire body was tuned to him and her stomach would not stop doing those flips and flops whenever she remembered hugging him or the sear of his rough fingers on her lips...oh yes! How could she ever forget it!

The feel of his finger on her lips had lingered on for a long time...and how much ever she tried to ignore it, her stupid heart would remind her of it again and again, by giving her heartburn! Yes, that's exactly what it felt like...heartburn!

Still lost in her thought, she readied her cup and walked to the small staff corner with the day's newspaper she had picked up from the local vendor and closed her eyes to stop her mind from wandering into those unwanted territories.

"Chote, I think someone is there in the kitchen or did your staff leave the lights on?" she heard a woman's voice, and recognizing it as Anjali's she quickly got up and went out to come face to face with the jovial woman, who looked very pretty in a teal colored churidaar kurta.

"Khushi! Oh my God! I'm soo happy to meet you again" Anjali said as she engulfed her in a bear hug which Khushi reciprocated enthusiastically "Anjali ji, what are you doing here so early? And are you feeling ok now? Oh God! Totally forgot...Congratulations on the happy news!! And I am so so sorry about the other day..." Khushi started blabbering when Anjali stopped her

"Arre baba, I am absolutely fine and it truly wasn't your fault, so please stop blaming yourself and thank you for your wishes Khushi, I'm gonna need a lot for the second innings" she said rolling her eyes as Khushi giggled "So, how come you are here this early?" she asked as Anjali smiled "Ah yes! Well, Chote and I are cooking here today for..." she started saying, as Khushi looked on in bewilderment

"Chote? Your son is here too?" she interrupted, as Anjali giggled while a familiar voice spoke from behind her "No he is not and she meant me; but what are you doing here this early Ms Gupta?" he asked her suspiciously which made Khushi twist her face in annoyance, but her eyes widened in disbelief as he came into view...or someone who looked like him...only different.

Because there was no way that this guy, wearing casual worn jeans and white tatty t-shirt, with his usually perfectly groomed and gelled hair left au natural, was her snooty boss...snooty delicious boss...wait what?!! 

"What?" he asked as he caught Khushi staring at him "Uh...nothing...and you don't need to sound so suspicious sir, I was only here to take delivery of the new china which should come in anytime now...not for something else like stealing your precious truffles!" she said as he raised an eyebrow in amusement

"Steal? Did I say anything like that?" he asked, not minding her saucy reply to his question "You give too much importance to yourself Ms Gupta" he said as Khushi felt her face redden under his amused eyes

"Uff oh...you two bicker like an old married couple, come on now, Chote please start getting things ready and let me know what I have to do" she said as both Khushi and Arnav felt further embarrassed by Anjali's words

"Actually Khushi, we are cooking for the kids of an orphanage which is very dear to us...and Chote and I are prepping things here before taking the stuff there to cook for them" she said in one breath as Khushi looked astonished, how many more layers are there to this man? She thought as Arnav's steely voice cut into her thoughts

"No need to explain anything to her Di, lets just get things started" he said as both the women gave him an irritated look at the same time, when the buzzer went off, indicating the delivery man at the door.

 Khushi excused herself to go and do the work she had actually come here to do while making sure she remains away from her boss, who seemed to be in another of his various moods! Gosh it's like he's permanently PMSing or something, she thought as she made her way to the door.

*** 

After Khushi finished ticking all the check boxes specified by Akash, she instructed the delivery people to place the spanking new duck egg blue and white China in the storage room carefully, before signing for it

She gave them one of her dazzling smiles, and offered them some coffee and refreshments, which they nearly agreed to, when Arnav's rough voice made them scatter and leave with a hasty good bye.

"They didn't come here to ask for your hand Ms Gupta, it's their job...so stop offering food and beverages which are not yours to offer in the first place!" He said, as he walked out into the restaurant pushing a huge trolley full of various prepped items on it, carefully balanced in various sized boxes.

"Chote! How can you say such a horrible thing? This is so unlike you"Anjali said as she scowled behind him, making him sigh and turn around, leaving a visibly fuming Khushi standing near the door "Di! Please don't interfere when I speak to Ms Gupta" he said as Anjali huffed

"Speak? You are always shouting or being rude to her...How do you put up with him Khushi?" she asked her as Khushi felt her anger recede at Anjali's distressed face "I'm used to it Anjali ji" she said shrugging her shoulders, making Arnav see red at her casual remark

"Indeed!" Anjali said and giggled as Khushi joined her "By the way Khushi, if you are free today morning and.." Anjali started saying when Arnav whipped back to look at his sister with a stern face "Di..." he warned as Anjali ignored him

"Why don't you join us? An extra hand will always be helpful and after that amazing pie you made me the other day, I'm sure your expertise will be a boon! Plus we'll be done by late afternoon giving you plenty time to get back to work in time!" she said as Khushi looked from Anjali's hopeful face to Arnav's fuming one

She considered her request and found herself agreeing, much to her amazement; what was wrong with her? Spending more time with her Kroor singh of a boss!? But the curiosity of watching him in this kind of an environment made her excited for some reason

"Great! Chote...lets pack up everything...this year we will have extra fun with Khushi joining in!" she said as Arnav groaned and walked out to finish loading, cursing his fate for the umpteenth time since that girl walked into his kitchen and his life!

***

The day was a day of revelations for Khushi; when she had stepped out of the Van, she was not sure of what she would find at the orphanage; but was not very surprised to see the women who ran the place, waiting with huge smiles for ASR and his sister, who seemed to have turned into kids again as they hugged the old women and hi-fied some of the older kids

Anjali had introduced her to the three ladies, called Sharadaji, Jennifer maam and Ameena bibi, who had welcomed Khushi with open arms, making her smile instantly at the warmth in their eyes; She had also quickly made herself comfortable with the kids who ranged from ages one to fifteen 

The Orphanage was in fact a very grand looking old bungalow, spread over a huge area that also housed a beautiful manicured garden, play area, sports ground a few more smaller bungalows that looked like they had been constructed later.

The entire atmosphere was so beautiful, with the well mannered by naughty children, who were taught and nurtured with so much love and brought up by three wonderful women of different faiths, but who believed in the oneness of God and his children

What surprised her more was the easy camaraderie everyone here shared with her boss, who had started the lunch preparations with the canteen staff, which comprised of two more women and an elderly man who seemed like their main cook.

As they made their way into the huge kitchen, she came across a wall with many news clippings and photographs of ASR, chronicling his journey in the culinary world...these things further intrigued her and she was determined to find out more about her enigmatic boss

She could not help but smile at the little kids who seemed to be in awe of Arnav, who was effortlessly preparing a simple meal for all of them of Biryani, Palak paneer and Kofta, while Anjali had gotten busy with preparing dough for rotis and raita

Khushi went forward to help her with rolling out the roti's while watching in delight as Arnav stirred the pots and added spices to the bubbling curry, as delicious aroma's floated around the kitchen. It didn't take him long to finish up the dishes as most of the items were prepped in the kitchen anyways.

When she had suggested helping him out, he had looked at her angrily and had instead asked her to stick to rolling out the rotis, while the elderly cook helped him with his work instead, making her huff in annoyance and ignore him for the rest of the time.

When everything was nearly ready, the elder kids started laying down the mats and plates for lunch as Arnav came to sit near Anjali with bowls of the prepared dishes "Tell me if everything is ok di.." he said as Anjali smiled and tasted everything, smacking her lips at the deliciousness of it

"Perfect chote! Khushi...why don't you taste as well?" Anjali said as Khushi smiled and took the plate which Anjali offered, much to Arnav's irritation, but Khushi forgot her annoyance at him as she tasted the food, which was beyond delicious...she was amazed with the delicate spices as they teased her taste buds, making her close her mouth and moan

Arnav looked up from the Biryani he was garnishing, to see Khushi savor the food he had made; he felt a sudden lightness in his heart as she smiled and complimented him, and her moan gave his wild thoughts free reign as to how she would sound when she moaned his name instead...

"Chote!" Anjali shouted, bringing him back to his senses as he looked on at the amused faces of the two woman "What di?" he asked as Anjali rolled her eyes "Khushi says that the Kofta curry needs a bit more salt.." she said as Arnav felt the earlier warmth evaporate in an instant!

"Di, if you felt it was ok, then its ok...I am not adding more salt just because she said it" he said as turned back to the pots, wiping the sweat forming on his forehead...what was wrong with him? Thinking of Ms Gupta in such...such...arrgh! And that chit of a girl telling him that his seasoning is not enough

"Uff oh...leave it Khushi...now lets finish cutting the fruits for the custard" she said as she got up and started looking for the cooled custard which was bought in two large containers...but was unable to find them.

"Dammit!" Arnav said as Anjali and Khushi both looked at him "I left the containers in the fridge!" he said as Anjali bit her bottom lip while Khushi's mouth opened up in an O'... "...I'll think of something" he said when Khushi piped in

"I can made Jalebis...this kitchen will have all the required ingredients I think" she said as Anjali squealed in delight "Really Khushi? Oh I love Jalebi's and I'm sure the kids will love them too...right Chote!?" she asked her brother who only scowled at them

"No di...its not a child's game to make Jalebi's...I'll think of something else" he said as Khushi stood up and marched right to him "I worked in my uncle's halwai shop for many years sir! And I used to make some of the best Jalebi's in Kanpur!" she said challenging him which only made him scowl further and walk closer to her

"Really? Fine! Make them...but if they are anything but perfect..." he warned as she raised her head and looked him square in the eye, unconsciously bringing her face very close to his "Then I will quit my job tomorrow itself!"she said as both did not realize how close they had gotten

Arnav felt his throat dry up as he saw Khushi's hazel eyes sparkle with a challenge, his eyes travelled to her plump lips, now set in an adorable pout as only one thought ran rampant through his mind...will her lips too taste as sweet as Jalebi's?

What?! Arnav thought as he felt like he was electrocuted...he stepped back from her at the same time she did too and looked away from him, her cheeks blooming with a red blush 

"Fine! If you are so confident...Go ahead! Lets see what you got Ms Gupta" Arnav said trying to stir them away from the awkward moment, making Khushi take a sigh of relief and smile triumphantly. Both did not notice Anjali watching the tennis match between the two with utter glee!

***

"Didi...didi, one more please" Khushi heard one of the smaller boys named Anuj scream as other kids too joined in, making her laugh as they crowded her. She swirled in some more jumbo Jalebis at their requests, and offered the earlier ones, piping hot from the sugary syrup they were soaking in, making the kids squeal in delight

Arnav watched in rapt attention as she expertly filled up the makeshift muslin bag with more batter, and continued to make heaps more as demands for her Jalebi's went up...He smiled as everyone from old to young, flocked around her, while Anjali picked up the huge plate and fed everyone

He saw his sister walk towards him with the same plate, making him raise his eyebrows at her "Chote..I know you can't have sweets, but you have to try one...they are truly wonderful" she said as Arnav looked at the piping hot sugary confectionary with mock disinterest

"They don't look appealing di..." he said as Anjali glared at him "Just because they are usually yellow orange in color, does not make them taste any better...you know this place does not stock any color...Khushi had to made do with whatever was available" she said as Arnav sighed and picked up one perfect swirl

He bit into the forbidden sweet and felt his senses explode at the crisp, sugary delight that melted in his mouth...he finished the rest in one bite before eying another one on the plate "Nope...only one...it was good right??" Anjali asked with a smile as Arnav agreed and quickly picked up one more and gobbled it before she could reprimand him

"Chote!" Anjali whined as Arnav laughed at his sister's annoyed face, making her join in his laughter too...Khushi looked on with increasing warmth in her heart as the siblings laughed together, so freely and openly. He looked soo handsome when he laughs, she thought as she shook her head at her silliness and continued to make Jalebi's as per demand!