Anupama's Happiness

Aditya had a little puzzled expression on his face as he roasted the spices before grinding them. When Anupama came out, and Qaima greeted her, Aditya was under the impression that Qaima would meet him before leaving even if she did not eat here.

But Qaima gave the same curt nod to him from a distance and went away before he could ask her to stay a little. What was her problem? They were at least acquaintances if not friends. What would Qaima lose if she chatted a little with him?

Well, anyway, there was not anything that Aditya could do about it. He remembered that Maahi had asked him to be nice to her, but Qaima did not even give him the chance to be anything. Aditya shrugged and mixed the spices in the chicken dish while increasing the flame.

Aditya removed the baking tray from the oven which was steaming hot. Kumari's mouth started salivating when she saw the small golden brown baby potato pieces. She couldn't wait to grab a bit, but when Kumari was about to act on her impulse, Aditya pulled the tray away as the dish was not completed yet. He took a bowl of finely chopped parsley and sprinkled the pieces around the dish and mixed it up. Aditya portioned a part of the meal onto a porcelain plate and offered it to Kumari along with the chicken dish.

The chicken dish was a south Indian item called 'Chettinad Pepper Chicken' while the potato one was the continental dish 'Lemon Parsley Potatoes'. Kumari took a silver fork and ate a piece from the potato dish. Her eyes closed in ecstasy as she savoured the flavour. The potato was crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. The taste was evenly distributed, and everything was perfect. Kumari knew that Aditya never had a talent in cooking when he was young. She did not care about the reason behind this sudden upsurge of skill. It was fine as long as Kumari knew that she got a free skilled cook who could keep the glutton in her happy.

This dish was quite simple, with no dose of spices like your general Indian dishes. But still, it was enough to get Kumari started. As for the chicken dish, it was a 100% Indian dish with loads of spices like cumin seeds, coriander seeds, dry red chillies, whole black pepper, cinnamon and cardamom pods. It was a succulent Tamilian recipe famous for its spiciness.

As there was no Indian bread like naan available, Aditya took a few pieces of pita-bread as a substitute for Kumari to eat alongside the chicken dish. Both naan and pita bread are similar but a little different (Pita bread is a little tougher and drier). But it will do.

"Enjoying all by yourself, ah?" Kavya teased as she took a seat next to Kumari. Bhadra and Jatin joined as well. Bhadra had finished socialising with acquaintances and business affiliates. Jatin had the odour of wine around him, but he only drank a little.

Kumari raised her head and said something while her mouth was stuffed with bread and chicken. No one could understand her. Aditya felt that Kumari's current words could almost be matched with her calligraphy.

"It's fine, Kumari. Eat first, and we can talk later," Kavya said with a smile. Kumari foolishly grinned as she continued to eat.

"Oy chef, one 'Pasta Carbonara Florentine' for me," Jatin ordered as if Aditya was a street vendor on a busy street. Kumari raised her head in confusion as she did not know this item. Aditya, who was preparing to make a dessert, raised his head to tell Jatin to get lost. But before he could do so...

"One Bhaigan Bharta for me," Kavya also said in the same ordering tone. Aditya could not scold Kavya as he would do to Jatin. So he was about to look at Bhadra for help but...

"Chicken Tikka for me. Make it double spicy for me," Bhadra said as he looked at Aditya with a grinning face. Aditya wanted to throw the frying pan at these fellows. Clearly, these idiots loved the french cuisine and yet they ganged up to make things difficult to him.

"Bhadra, Jatin, can't you see that Aditya is injured? How could you make him cook when he is like this? Kumari, Kavya, if you want something, then I will get it for you. Also, I have asked the manager to call a few chefs. So you can order anything you want. Don't bother Adi, is it clear?" Anupama joined them and said in a stern but soft tone.

Aditya turned to smile at Anupama who had come into the kitchen station as well. A couple of chefs followed her. Anupama also smiled back at Aditya as her eyes glittered. She came near Aditya and whispered so that only Aditya could hear, "Adi, I liked the gift that you have given very much. Thank you so much. It means a lot to me."

Anupama had gone away in the middle of the party as she was somewhat curious about the gifts given by her friends. Especially she wanted to find out Aditya's gift. This longing was unreasonable but insatiable. So, Anupama excused herself on the pretext of going to the restroom to check the gifts. As expected, Aditya's gift almost melted her heart. It was like Aditya knew who she was in her heart. It was by far the best gift she had ever received.

Aditya smiled when he saw that Anupama was happy with his gift. As her best friend for more than a decade in the dreamworld, Aditya precisely knew what would hit the right place. He shook his head with a smile as he patted Anupama's hand and said with limpid eyes, "you look gorgeous tonight. Anu, remember that only those who do not wish to see the real truth can be deceived. Be careful. No matter what happens in the future, don't forget that you have a friend in me to rely on."

Anupama smiled as a small crimson shade spread across her cheeks when she heard the first sentence. But after hearing the latter half, Anupama was a little puzzled, but Aditya did not explain further, and she could only take it as general advice. Aditya did not expect Anupama to understand the hidden caution in his words, but it was fine as long as she could remember these words.

Anupama's face glowed in a way which was never seen before. Aditya knew that it was because of her father's 'confession'. Her smile, voice and demeanour exuded a graceful charm like a blossoming flower. Aditya knew the kind of pain that Anupama felt because of her parents. Even though he was sure that her father had not changed, Aditya wished to see Anupama remain like she was now. He did not want to see Anupama suffering again.

But Aditya was a little helpless, he could save her from physical harm, but Aditya did not know the way to protect Anupama's heart. Because the moment she knew that her father had not changed and all of his act was just because she was somewhat 'useful', Anupama was sure to break down again. It may be even more severe as V.V. Acharya did not make Anupama hopeful, in the dream world, like he was doing now.

The others could only give up teasing Aditya when they saw that Anupama had come to his rescue. In fact, they had already finished their dinner and had no plans of eating anymore. Kumari wanted to fume when she saw Aditya and Anupama being 'too' close to each other. But in the end, the foodie in her won, and she went back to eating the mouthwatering chicken.