A long Chapter- Enjoy!

Suvarna's POV.

One week after Shishir's departure to London.

Pinching the bridge of my nose I breathed in – hard.

Just a few days before the opening and I am still hiring and interviewing prospective employees!

It's a good thing that I already have some staff from my catering business who have been absorbed into the kitchen. Raj bhaiya is taking care of training them and getting them ready for a full time kitchen job.

The catering business had been more like a side business and not a regular full time one so this was going to be a different experience for all of them.

What had been a pleasant surprise was that many of my father's staff members, who had worked with him had got in touch once they had got to know the Hotel was going to be re-opened by his daughter.

Seeing the old familiar faces had been overwhelming and emotional. I remembered interacting with many of them as a child.

To them I had been the child of their boss and to me they had been 'Uncles' or 'Aunties' who worked with my father.

My parents had never emphasized they were the 'owners' and others worked for them. It would be strange and a totally new experience to work with the people who had worked with my father.

I sighed as my eyes fell on the pile in front containing the resumes and details of the new candidates we were wanting to hire.

To ensure smooth functioning we needed at least eight waiters/ waitresses. From my father's old staff we already had five- who had left their current jobs to join us back. We still needed at least three more.

I had finalised two but from the applicants that last remaining suitable candidate seemed to be elusive.

If only Shishir had been here with me- he could have handled this much better than me, he would have known what to do.

Suvi! Snap out of it! I shook my head wearily at my whining thoughts.

This is my responsibility and I had chosen it to happen this way. I was getting a chance to live my dream of re-opening my father's Hotel.

"Good *yawn* Morning." Paresh mumbled while he pulled a chair and seated himself on it.

"Awww- The drama queen is still sleepy?" I joked smiling at his sleepy look.

He gave me a pouty look "I barely slept last night." He groaned "Even counting cupcakes did not help."

"People count sheep to help them sleep but trust you to count something edible!" I laughed.

"Sheep run around while I try to count them." The brat gave me naughty grin. "But cupcakes they obey plus they come in flavours."

"Flavours? Why do you need flavours while-"I chuckled as I realised what he was saying "You imagine you are popping them in your mouth while counting!"

"Obviously! Trays and trays of cupcakes only for me- waiting their turn to be popped in my mouth. Best formulae to sleep well and have the sweetest dreams." Frowning he continued. "Last night it did not seem to work though. I had four trays of Vanilla cupcake, six of chocolate and then strawberry-"

"What??"

The stunned exclamation made me turn my head and saw Prema with a horrified look on her face standing in front.

Paresh gave her a dirty sour look making me laugh hard "He did not actually eat those Prema. That is his way to try and fall asleep instead of the regular counting sheep."

Prema scrunched her nose and returned his sour look "You will get virtual diabetes."

I threw my head back not able to contain my laughter at Prema's predicted 'virtual diabetes.'

"Shut up!" Paresh snapped as Prema gave him a smug look before turning to look at me. "Suvi you should be supporting me- not this bumble bee!"

"Bumble bee!" Prema huffed "Don't you give me weird names. And Suvarna di will support me- her family!"

"You are a bumble bee!" Paresh scoffed "Bzzzzz- Bzzzzz- irritating my ears. And listen Suvi is outgoing member of your family and incoming member of mine!"

"Outgoing! Incoming!" I gasped still laughing "What am I? A voice plan for your mobile phone? Besides marriage does not mean a girl ceases to be a daughter or a member of her family!"

"Yes. True. You just cease to have buzzing bumbling cousins in your horizon." Paresh said winking at me before his face scrunched up in pain. "Ouch!" he yelped rubbing his hand.

I realised Prema had just stabbed him with a ball point pen!

"Bees don't just buzz. They sting too." She shrugged her shoulders at his scowling face. "Bye Di. I will see you after my class." She turned around to leave.

"I will drop you! Don't leave without me." Paresh yelled after her before looking down at me

These two have to be the weirdest couple.

"When will you go in?" Paresh asked quietly and I frowned in confusion at the sudden change in topic and his tone.

One look at him I knew he was talking about the room behind me- my father's office.

"Soon." I said softly not meeting his eyes.

"Do it Suvi. It will make you feel good afterwards." He said his tone gentle. I watched him as he went out.

My father's office- the place that held memories that were precious and painful.

I had not been inside the room- after my parents.

I want to- yet I don't want to. A strange feeling that I do not know how to deal with. To not have my mother walk beside me as I crash the door open without knocking and grin at my mother's disapproving look.

Getting up from the chair I took the few steps to stand just outside the door. My fingers reached out to caress the brass door knob, careful not to look up and read the name plate with my father's name.

The room will be in order I am aware, since it has been regularly cleaned like the rest of the rooms of the hotel.

My favourite place after my home does not have my favourite people inside waiting for to engulf me in their warmth.

Closing my eyes I tried to summon all the strength this universe could spare for me and dug into my pocket and fished out the key and pushed it in before my mind got the time to freak out.

The click was loud- or maybe my senses were more alert as I ventured on the other side of a slice if my past.

A small push and the dark wooden door made way for me to enter.

I paused at the unfamiliar interior. The blinds of the room were pulled and I realised I had never seen the room without lights. Being a nature lover my father had glass panes on almost all sides with light flooding in from all direction and giving a spectacular view of the perfectly manicured back garden.

As my eyes got used to the light leaking in from the blinds I moved in reaching out to fold away the blinds from all the window.

As the sunlight poured in the room came alive with it's familiarity. My eyes fell on the table and my vision blurred as soon as I saw the photographs in their frames. Me in the centre laughing away at my parent's teasing with their hands on my shoulders as as looked at each other and smiled.

Us poking our tongues at the camera, us going squint eyed for another capture.

Always the warm caring parents they  had behaved with me more like a friend than strict parents.

Slowly I moved forward, fingering the things on the table, breathing in the crispy citrus smell that was always in the room.

One of the older staff member must have put the same air purifier in the room that my father loved.

Working with people who have known your parents closely is going to be nice.  A smile tugged at my lips as I saw a vase full of lavenders in the corner- like always.

A room smelling like lemon mixed with the fragrance of lavender.

My mother's laughter filled voice filled my mind as she would always say this- her choice mixed with what my father loved. Strange- unlikely combination but so unique to them.

My eyes fell on the cabinet close to my father's table.

'Surprise box'

The label put up by my father, written by my mother was still intact.

My smile faltered as the memories of me running into the room and going straight for that came into my mind.

My heart plunged in my chest as I stepped towards it. Knowing there could be no surprise in there ever again for me made my heart bleed.

Scared to find it empty for the first time I decided not to open it. My fingers seemed to have mind of their own at this instance and reached out and tugged at the latch pulling it open.

A glint of silver caught my hand. As the door to the cabinet fell open I saw it was a silver wrapping paper with pink hearts

Heart in my mouth I gingerly lifted a corner of the wrapping paper and my legs gave way at the sight and I barely realised as I crashed on the ground on my knees.

***Flash back ***

Please Papa I want a Barbie doll- the Indian one wearing a saree.

Mummy: Suvarna you hardly played with dolls even as a five year old now you are getting too old for dolls.

Me: (pouting) But I want one. I want to dress it in different dresses and hairstyles everyday.

Papa: (laughing) So my princess wants to play with dolls? I thought you wanted the latest video game that your mother showed you last week at the toy shop.

Me: (grinning) That too!

Mummy: Absolutely not! Besides you will not play with the doll. Your craze will phase out within a couple of days!

Me: Please Please please. It will not phase out. I really want to dress the Barbie doll- and play with the video game.

Mummy: Nothing doing. You chose which one. You are not getting both!

Me: What If I promise to drink my milk at night and not make Papa drink it?

Mummy: What?? (turning to glare at Papa who had a dismayed look on his face and gave me a scowl making me realise my error.)

Me: Only sometimes.

Papa: (Huffing)You will get a book of Algebra formulas for your birthday this year my dear girl.

***End of Flashback ***

Tears poured from my eyes as I caressed the box of Barbie doll waiting to be packed as it rested beside the box of video game.

They had bought the gifts for their beloved daughter but never got the chance to give it to her.

I bit my lower lip hard enough to draw blood. They had got up on the flight just few weeks before my birthday but had taken care to buy gifts before that.

My eyes caught sight of something at the back and I reached out to pull it out- a football- the type played in USA.

For Shishir

Our shared birthday was never missed by either of our parents.

The shrill ringing of my phone sounded and without registering what I was doing I answered it.

Shishir's POV.

Stifling a yawn I glanced at the screen of my mobile.

Almost six in the morning. I smiled as I dialled Suvi's number for a video call and smiled more when she answered it right away.

"Hey Love." I smiled and her eyes met mine.

It took me seconds to realise she was giving me a blank look- a haunted faraway emotion swimming in her eyes made me frown.

What was wrong? The Hotel's opening was scheduled for day after tomorrow- could there have been some complications?

No. Paresh or someone else would have mentioned it to me had it been like that.

Glancing at the screen closely I caught sight of a table behind her. Something was familiar about it.

Her father's office! She was inside the room for the first time after them!

"Suvi." I said softly and she gave me another blank look "Subi!" I said louder and saw her flinch and it seemed for the first time she registered she was on the phone with me.

Without uttering a word she angled the phone so that her face was not visible and I frowned.

"Suvi please-" I stopped talking as my eyes fell on what the phone was showing.

***Flashback ***

I am bored with these round footballs!

Papa: (smirking) Poke a hole in it- it will not be round any more.

Prachi Aunty: (laughing) Raghu! Trust you to make silly jokes. Shishir what do you mean by that though?

Me: (Excitedly) Aunty have you seen the long ones- that they play in USA. There they call those football and this is soccer ball!

Papa: (scoffing) The one that looks like a giant egg.

Me: Papa!

Prachi Aunty: Raghu have you played any game other than Ludo? And maybe carom? (reaching out to pat me) Don't worry your father has no idea about sports but we do.

My mother and Suvi's father had burst out laughing at these words while my father objected indignantly.

***End of Flashback ***

I closed my eyes my heart lurching painfully as I saw what had meant to be mine and Suvi's gifts that fateful year.

I have to take hold of my feelings. If I am hit so hard at the sight of those then I can understand how shattered Suvi must be.

Taking a deep breath, ensuring my voice came out steady I spoke to Suvi gently. "Suvi I want to see your face love."

Slowly, after agonising moments her face came into view, though her eyes was not on the screen.

My mind ran to the new discoveries I and my colleagues had been making over the past few days. They were most startling and shocking and I had made the decision not to tell Suvi about them yet.

"They loved you." I stated the obvious and she at last looked at me.

"And I love you." I continued softly. "My brave Suvi get up from there- please?"

She stared at me not saying anything. "Come back here later, but for now get up." I urged and she just gave me another blank look before looking down at the things in front.

All of a sudden the ceiling of the room came into view and I heard some rustling sound. I realised she was keeping the things back into the cabinet.

I continued talking to her softly, hating that I was not there with her right now.

'Few minutes later I saw Suvi's face as realised she had stood up and was walking out of the room.

Trying my best to continue to sound calm I asked "How did the interviews go?"

She shrugged and looked at me "Had you been here, what would you want me to cook the first time in this kitchen?"

***

"Awara hoon- toooooon- Awara hoon-"

"Danny shut up! As if your Hindi was not enough! Do you have to croak old classic songs totally out of tune?" I hissed.

"Kuch to log kahenge! Logon ka-"

"Shut up!" I snapped as I parked the car "You are a pain in my life right now."

"Main Tulsi tere angan ki-"

I covered my ears as he bellowed. "I will seriously kill Paresh for suggesting these songs and then you getting on to google for translations and understanding the meaning!"

"Dost dost na raha-"

I rolled my eyes as he continued to study his list of songs saved on his phone and croaking them while reading.

"I should have asked Charles to drive me here instead of you accompanying me. NO! You will not croon anything on that!" I said as Danny swiped his phone screen excitedly looking up a suitable song as a retort.

Locking the car I handed the keys to Danny who grinned at me pumping my hand and I grinned back.

"Shishir Mehrotra! Is that you?"

I turned around and came face to face with – Mr. Dutta!

"Mr. Dutta! What are you doing here?" I aksed shaking the hand he had extended "You have met Danny haven't you?"

"Oh yes!" he said shaking Danny's hand too.

"I am here because Ravi Gupta wants me to look into some of his London business." He beamed and I smiled politely. "Are you going somewhere or returning from somewhere?"

"I am going – out of country." I said not wanting to take chances to spoil the surprise I had planned.

"Oh." He nodded and then gave me a thoughtful look. "You know your friend Suvarna Sharma got engaged don't you?"

I gaped at him completely speechless and saw the bewildered look on Danny's face before it turned into a delighted one.

Is 'uncle' for real? Or is he plain retarded

"Mr. Dutta-" I started saying but Danny interjected.

"Oh you do not know who she got engaged to do you?"

"No." Mr. Dutta gave a pitiful look. "The Gupta's seem to know the man and think he is a very good person- her some childhood friend it seems. Unfortunately I could not attend the ceremony though I had got an invite through the Gupta's" he turned towards me "Did you attend?"

This question had me imitating a goldfish but not Danny "Oh I don't remember if he did but I sure did."

"I see. I am happy for the dear girl. I hope her fiancée is a nice man."

"He is a real.grouch." Danny said having a wonderful time at my expense "Very bossy. Does not let people talk what they want- or in the language of their choice." He said grinning ear to ear "And oh he does not even let them sing."

"Danny this is not funny!" I snapped.

"I know. It is sad."

"Oh the poor girl. I had in fact messaged her apologising for not attending her engagement ceremony. She had been most upset that I was not there and I promised her I will go and meet her in person later on.

That message! 'Uncle' had sent it!

"Excuse me. My phone is ringing. I will talk to you all later on." He walked away not caring for the lack of reponse. Me completely stupefied and Danny laughing too hard holding his stomach.

"Is he mad? He was right there outside the court with us when Ravi was told about me and Suvi." I shouted going red in the face.

"Obviously he did not hear." Danny said gasping for breath "But my, what an entertaining fellow."

"You just wait Cooper. I will have my revenge one day." I warned him still feeling flabbergasted and pissed.

"For now go on and check in- "Ja Shishir jee le apni Zaindagi" He grinned at me and I had to grin back at this hopelessly goofy man. He has changed so much in the past few months- had really lightened up so much.

"Take care of everything." I grinned "And Tell Charles if the T.V show offer is good to allow Ricky to do it. I will talk to him once I am back."

"Will do. Now bye!"

Suvarna's POV.

I stared at the dish in front of me. Shishir's choice of dish. I smiled shaking my head. Trust my man to come up with ideas that no one would think of. I wish he was here to take the first bite of Khichdi- one pot meal.

"Make yummylacious Khichdi- heavenly for the cold Delhi weather." He had responded to my query.

The opening was tomorrow but I wanted to make this dish separately and wanted him to be on video call with me but his phone is not reachable!

Danny and Charles said he has gone for a 'very important project.' I had been disappointed but did not tell them that.

Sighing I dug in a spoon into the steaming hot rice and lentil dish with plenty of vegetables  just as Shishir liked it and brought it up to my mouth.

"Hey! That is mine!"

I spun around almost dropping the spoon and felt blood rush to my heart as it somersaulted crazily.

"When I make a promise I keep it lady. So should you." he said walking towards me and wrapping his hands around me.

"Shishir." I breathed out and he grinned and opened his mouth pointing towards the spoon still in my hand. I bit my lip and spooned some Khichdi on it again and his head bent and lips closed over the spoon.

&&&

Updated on 3rd November