ok so these days I am being threatened to update ..The show has gone down the drain ..and it takes a lot of effort to remind myself that my Shaurya and is not a jerk..( or for that matter Rajiv ) ... so ladies there is some trouble in this paradise too ...but all logical ..don't kill me please
and I promise next part very soon ..I swear very soon ...
and I am more honest than ST.

xxx

Part 13
Mehak closed the door behind her , she could still hear snatches of his conversation which means he was practically screaming
:" what do you mean you just giggled "
My lawyers will be talking to your PR agency "
She moved quickly to the kitchen . She had learnt very early in her life that kitchen was her best shelter when her life was falling apart ..
The menu of the day had a new item they were celebrating the oncoming onset of spring with a vegetable dish that paid tribute to the bounties of nature ..she had named the dish Bahaar -E- Gulistaan
Vegetables which did not intuitively compliment each other were going to be   a part of this dish ... some had to be steamed earlier like yam and waternuts ,,while other had to be added much later else they would turn soggy like ribbons of Indian squash
The base was equally unique, it was using arum , instead of usual dryfruits and onions to give it the thick consistency ...
She was instructing her team on various to do's and don't for this dish ...there were many pitfalls to be avoided ..
Bahaar - E"Gulistaan made her forget her woes of morning .. every fibre of her body was focusse don getting it right ..she kept moving from station to station checking each stage of preparation right from the cuts of the veggies to whether they were steamed right ..
She had herself weighed each masala going in
The smell was just right , the base seemed exactly the thickness it needed , the vegetables each brought in their right texture , the ones that were supposed to be soft were soft , the ones supposed to be firm were just firm ...
It was going to be a huge hit ..
A smile started hovering on her lips ..she was almost happy again
Rajiv came to stand next to her ..." hmm smells great ..let us get the tasting done .." Said he ...
" So what are we tasting ..."
Mehak's smile vanished as soon as she heard him, Shaurya , speak ..
She had not realized when he had walked in the kitchen
Rajiv turned to him , chiming happily , totally oblivious of the tension between the other two ..
"ohh Mehak finally has Bahaar- E-Gulistaan " ready ..you know we should call it BEG because people will literally beg for it
"Sure" said Shaurya looking at Mehak ,
She turned her face , her anger and hurt were resurfacing
Shaurya took the spoon that Rajiv handed him and tasted BEG
Mehak inspite of her Hurt looked ta him expectantly , she had always known him to be a fair and excellent judge of taste
His face was blank ..
You know Rajiv if we serve this dish , in our restaurant we will soon be begging outside , coz our restaurant will close
Ms Sharma , you surely do not want to kill our patrons do you ..
Not even a housewife will cook this mash. Have you any idea how acrid this is ...
Acrid ?? Mehak was stunned , her brain had stopped working
Suddenly the fog cleared ...oh my God , how could she ? she completely forgot about the milk..arum could get acrid ..she should have added milk to the base
She forced herself to listen again to Shaurya , whose tone was becoming sterner and sarcastic every passing second
"Are you even focusing on your job these days
Or is your brain full of your "personal situation"
She looked at him with pain written all over her eyes. This was truly below the belt ..
Her eyes had started watering again ...however she willed herself to not cry , not in front of all these people ..not in front of him
Sir ..Give me a moment

She was amazed that her voice sounded so steady
She boiled milk with nutmeg and cinnamon and added it to the dish .
The she put the whole pan in the oven...
After precisely 6 minutes ..she got the pan out and asked Rajiv and Shaurya to taste it again ..
Rajv's smile once he had the first spoonful gave her answer .
Shaurya looked downcast , almost embarrassed .. That was a first for him , as far as Mehak knew.
Ms Sharma ...Mehak ..I am really sorry ..I overreacted ..
It is ok Sir ..just that you should not lose trust in your own people so soon , just as the first thing goes wrong ..it is very demotivating ..
He turned back and left..
That evening , it was almost midnight when she wrapped up ..and went to the porch , to board the shuttle .
She noticed Shaurya's car , with him inside . He came out of the car as soon as he saw her ,
She moved ahead and sat in the shuttle . There were 2 other staff members . She knew Shaurya will not make a scene in front of them.
However she noticed he was already parked , by the time the shuttle reached the condominium complex.
She pressed the elevator buttons like a maniac , she just wanted to reach her apartment lock it from inside and cry her heart out .
The anticipated ding of the elevator told her that it was finally there . She got in and closed her eyes only to open it again as she felt the door had not closed yet, only to see Shaurya getting in the elevator.
She turned her face and moved further into the corner.
Mehak ..he said ..
She did not answer
Mehak ..Please ...
Mr .Khanna please I am tired ..I need rest .".my personal situation" demands that I spend some alone time.
The elevator had reached her floor , she got out .
He followed her ..
She looked at him questioningly
I am hungry ..he sulked ... and rubbed his hands on the temple..
Where is Shankar Bhaiyya ., she asked ??
I want to eat something made by you ..he demanded
I just have some stuffed rotis ..
Chalega ..he said
They ate in silence..
He cleared the plates once they were done , while she cleaned the table .
She moved towards the bedroom .
.I need to sleep , Good night , Please shut the door form outside , as you go out .The interlock will activate.
He held her hand to stop her .
Mehak Please ..his voice was very quiet ...Please I am sorry
Sorry for what Shaurya ..??

Sorry for what happened in the kitchen today .. he hesitated and then continued
Look I overreacted ...
You have no idea right ..Her anger was again threatening to burst from her eyes ..Infact the tears had already started escaping ..
You believe that is all you have to be sorry for ,,
I have waited for you for the past 4 nights , you have not called me once , when I try to speak to you , you sound as if I almost do not know you ..just hoon -haan , as if my calling you makes you angry
And then I come to know you are having an affair ...right Mr Khanna ...
And What am I ..your timepass in the condominium while you get ready for bigger , better things
I am this dark secret to be hidden , while media needs to know about the right connections you make , the right match "
Shutup Mehak ..you do not know what you are saying ... he grinded
"Oh of course ,,I really don't know what I say , which is why now you do not want to talk to me , even if my life depended on it , you do not have the time to talk to me ..Do you even realize how disturbed I was this morning , and you did not even have the courtesy to listen to me .
I had hoped that at least once you were done with your call you will seek me out..par nahin the only time you have for me is when you need to scream at me in front of the whole team proving me to be incompetent and talking about my "personal situation"
The tears were in full flow now ..
You know what Shaurya Khanna .." personal situation " my foot , please get out of my apartment
She moved inside her bedroom and banged her door shut,
In a few seconds she heard another bang in reply ..signaling Shaurya was out of the apartment ..

She crumbled on the floor in her pool of tears.
tibs092017-01-28 23:19:23