Shakhi TS Oui, Chef

Part III | A |

Seven months rolled by. Shaurya wasn't too harsh on everyone. At the same time, he was not easy on them either. He was still assertive, still scolds people when they make mistakes but toned down the harshness.

Shaurya's equation with Anokhi remained the same with her teasing him and he being left dumbfounded. But both felt something more for each other and kept that to themselves save for times she would casually slips her feelings away.

Anokhi and Aastha's bonding was a super hit. Aastha would invite Anokhi home and the duo would try various recipes. Inside kitchen, Anokhi would be an obedient student but outside, she grew ease with Aastha and started her cute banters that Aastha enjoyed. Anokhi not only learned a lot in culinary field but got herself a best mentor and well-wisher, thanks to Shaurya.

Anokhi's brother Karthick issue on the other hand did worry her a lot. But FIKA is her happy place where everyone cheers her up. That's where she forgets her worries and enjoys life. She continued trying to get best help for her brother and comforts her father. Also, her everyday teasing and banter with Shaurya puts her in great spirits.

At the beginning, Anokhi did judged Shaurya correctly but after he scolded her, her anger blinded her for a period of time. She did figure out who he is as a person soon but to place him back at the place of crush took her little time.

Anokhi remembers an incident that happened three weeks after Shaurya joined. That was a busy day and orders kept piling. Waiter Bala who came to bring out couple of dishes stumbled on his way and ended up putting everything down, some even on himself.

Everyone in the kitchen froze and panicked thinking about how Shaurya would react. As soon as he saw it, he glared and walked towards Bala.

"Dimaag kaha rehtha hai tumhara!" Shaurya spat and Anokhi closed her eyes in disappointment while everyone huffed.

"Na-nahi sir vo-"

"You've spilled hot soup on yourself and standing like this! Agar tujhe burn hogaya toh!!" Shaurya said pulling Bala aside carefully.

Everyone was surprised to see Shaurya who was busy helping Bala. They didn't think he would react this way. Anokhi was disappointed on herself to think she thought Shaurya in a bad light despite knowing about his nature.

"Parthiv, get on station and pass orders to re-do the dishes. Get this mess cleaned. I'll take Bala for first aid"

That night when everyone started to leave after shift, Anokhi knocked and let herself inside Shaurya's cabin.

"It's late. Ab tak nikli nahi ho tum?" Shaurya asked as he leaned back on his rolling chair.

"Mujhe aap se kuch kehna tha, Shaurya. Kahun? Aap ko disturb toh nahi kar rahi hoon na?" Anokhi asked biting back her smile.

"Mujhe disturb karna toh tumhari fundamental right ban ke raki hai. Kaho" Shaurya shrugged.

"I'm not going to say anything if you make faces like this!" Anokhi made a face and turned to go out.

"Teek hai, teek hai, ruko!" Shaurya quickly said, "Jo kehna hai kahiye Madam. I'm all ears"

"Kahiye girlfriend ji bolo" Anokhi deadpanned as she placed her hands on either side of her waist with a fake glare.

By now Shaurya was used to Anokhi's words. They joke around and he even started liking her company. So, he casually and obediently said,

"Teek hai, naaraz nahi hona. Ab kahiye girlfrienddd ji"

"Haan, voh mein ne kaha na ki aap mere ex-crush the" Anokhi said sitting on the chair opposite to Shaurya with an excited smile.

"Haann?" Shaurya dragged the word questioningly.

"I have an update on that situation. Isliye socha ki aap se keh dun" Anokhi dragged towards the end with a smile.

"Accha, aur yeh kaisa update hai, Madam?" Shaurya asked with an eyebrow raised. His curiosity piped ever since she mentioned the crush thing.

Anokhi stood up with a sheepish smile.

"Well, Shaurya Sabharwal, congratulations. You have been promoted from my ex-crush to crush" Anokhi said quickly with a giggle before rushing outside leaving Shaurya flabbergasted.

After that day both behaved the same but what they felt, it surely got upgraded. They know both are interested in each other, attracted even but didn't speak a word about it. They hang out in Shaurya's place regularly and so; they learnt a great deal about each other in these seven months.

But Anokhi didn't talk about her family and Shaurya didn't probe. Whenever they are free on Wednesdays, he helps her with Italian cuisine. Normally he doesn't do it, spend time for anyone. But Anokhi asked Shaurya one day if he would help and he doesn't have it in him to deny. So, he agreed and always made time for her.

It was a Wednesday afternoon around 4 pm and Anokhi already came to Shaurya's place. Aastha was off to her friend's place and so, it was just them both. Anokhi waited for Shaurya at kitchen while he was getting ready upstairs.

"Yeh ab tak kya kar raha hai? Kitni dher ho gaya ab toh!" Anokhi wondered aloud as she peeked out from the kitchen.

Anokhi's mobile buzzed grabbing her attention. It was a call from Yash. By the time she ended the call, Shaurya walked inside the kitchen.

"Sorry, I got a bit late. Shuru kare?" Shaurya asked once they both wore apron.

"Haan, aaj kya sika rahe ho, Shaurya?" Anokhi asked taking her position next to Shaurya.

"Blueberry Crostata" Shaurya said sorting the ingredients as he looked at Anokhi. On seeing her confused gaze, he explained, "Blueberry pie. Jo bhi padaaya, sab bhool gaye kya?"

"Ohh pie. Crostata sunn ke kuch strike hua tha, Shauryyaa" Anokhi gave a sheepish smile.

"Aese hasna bandh karo. Jao, fridge mein blueberry jam leke aao aur yeh blueberries ko wash karke leke aao. Go, go, go" Shaurya clapped his hands like he does back at kitchen.

"Yes, Chef" Anokhi yelled of habit making Shaurya chuckle, "Cheh, out of habit, hehehe. Mein jaake leke aathi hoon, Shaurya."

Once Anokhi done with the task Shaurya gave her, she waited for him to instruct her.

"Ab yeh crust dough ke liye flour, butter aur eggs ko knead karo. Uske baad blueberry ki filling thayar karna hai"

Shaurya went on instructing one thing after another making Anokhi breathe through her nose, glare at him as she eyed him up and down. Chuckling, he joined his hands together and said,

"Aese gussa mat kar meri maa."

"Ab aage kya karna hai?" Anokhi's face immediately softens on seeing Shaurya's gesture who's laughing at her.

"Kya karna hai?" Anokhi asked twisting her wrist on getting no answers from Shaurya.

"Dough ko softly nahi, har (she glares at him) matlab dough ko acche se knead karna hai"

"Huh, aap na waha jaake beitiye. Mein karthi hoon, jao" Anokhi cracked her knuckles and started preparing the dough.

"Teek hai, Madam" Shaurya chuckled as he hopped on the kitchen slab and observed her.

Anokhi followed Shaurya's instruction and finally placed the crostata inside the oven and gave a high five to Shaurya. They were clearing the left-over ingredients on the slab.

When Anokhi saw the left-over flour, she had an evil grin on her face as she eyed at Shaurya. She took small amounts of it on either of her hands and kept it hidden.

"Shaurya?" Anokhi called and Shaurya turned to face her side.

"Kaho Ano-"

Before Shaurya could say anything, Anokhi leaned up and smeared the flour on both his cheeks making him gasp. She laughed out and giggled on seeing his face. Recovering from the initial shock, he tried to grab her but she was quick enough and started to run.

"Heyyy! Anokhi, Rukh!!" Shaurya chased behind her.

Anokhi giggled and run out of the kitchen. Shaurya chased her all around the living room. They were laughing the whole time. He managed to grab her hand after couple of minutes and out of balance, they both fell on the couch; he down and she on him.

They both were still laughing. Anokhi adjusted herself above Shaurya but didn't move away while he made himself comfortable on the couch as they stared into each other and laughed.

By the time they finished laughing, they were panting. That's when Shaurya realized how close they were. Anokhi's hot breath was fanning his face. He didn't even realize his arms were around her until he unconsciously tightened his hand and she gasped realizing their state.

Anokhi's black orbs drowned into Shaurya's chocolate brown ones as they stared into each other, breathing in their proximity. Their hearts were racing at a high rate while thrill and excitement were tingling in their form.

Shaurya broke out of the trance first and tried to move that made Anokhi's breath shaky as they started into each other.

"Mein ne kuch nahi dekha, haan"

Shaurya and Anokhi jerked when they heard Aastha's voice and laugh. Anokhi turned red as she hurriedly stood up from Shaurya. Even he looked embarrassed as he sat up on the couch.

"Maa!" "Aunty!" They both said in unison.

"Hareey mein keh rahi hoon na, kuch nahi dekha. Phir kya?" Aastha laughed.

Anokhi looked at Shaurya before looking at Aastha and bowed her head down, her cheeks still read.

"Maa, hum bas khel rahe the, Maa"

"Yeh tum dhono shadhi karake bhi toh kar sakthe hain" Aastha said suggestively.

'Phir se shuru ho gayi!' Shaurya and Anokhi thought in unison as they mentally heaved a tired sigh.

"Tum dhono toh khel rahe ho. Mere sath khel ne mujhe toh meri grand kid chahiye na." Aastha remarked as she walked in.

'Heinn!!'

Shaurya and Anokhi looked at each other awkwardly before giving sheepish smiles at Aastha. The oven bell ring and Anokhi gave excuses and rushed into the kitchen while Aastha teased Shaurya.

When Anokhi served the blueberry crostata, both Aastha and Shaurya were impressed with her quick learning and cooking skills. They spent some time and then Anokhi left with Shaurya to FIKA.

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Thank you for reading,

Nan ~