.....FALLING TO YOU .....

CHAPTER -FIVE

Vishwas' Perspective:

I let out a sigh of relief. "I thought you were angry with me," I admitted.

She raised an eyebrow, slightly annoyed. "Why would I be?" she asked.

I smiled wryly. "You haven't smiled at me since I arrived," I pointed out.

She smirked. "You think I'd forget you?" she teased.

I felt a twinge of embarrassment. "I thought you might have forgotten me," I said.

She replied, "These days, you're the one who's been gone without a word, blaming me instead."

I explained, "I mentioned earlier that I was here for my sister's wedding. There were some ceremonies before the marriage that took up the past two days."

She looked at me blankly.

I added, "I thought of informing you, but we hadn't exchanged numbers yet." I raised my eyebrows hopefully. "So, can we exchange numbers now?"

She thought for a moment, then pressed her lips together and shook her head, pretending she wasn't interested.

I felt a pang of disappointment and frowned. "If you don't want to give me your number, that's fine. But take mine, at least," I said with a hint of a smile.

She folded her hands across her chest and sighed. I looked down, feeling a bit dissatisfied.

Then, she suddenly extended her hand. "Don't be dramatic; it's okay to exchange numbers between friends," she said with a smile, revealing she was just kidding.

We exchanged numbers, and I felt a surge of excitement.

Just then, my stomach growled loudly. I felt embarrassed. She smiled kindly. "Okay, fine. Let's grab something to eat."

She led me to the main kitchen in the office. I was stunned and pulled her hand back, surprised. "The owners might not allow us; let's sit and order at our table," I suggested hesitantly.

She gave a smirk and asked me to follow her silently. I followed her hesitantly.

Inside the kitchen, I was amazed by the cleanliness and organization. The countertops shone like new shiny, and the aromas of various dishes tantalized my senses. Everyone was preparing Indian-style core foods and snacks.

My stomach growled again, and I felt even hungrier. As we walked in, everyone turned to look at us. I felt nervous.

But to my surprise, they all greeted her warmly, making me even more curious.

She finally stopped near a stout, old man with a big belly, who was busy cooking with passion. Despite his rough appearance, he had a joyful aura.

He welcomed us with a bright smile. "Hey, darling! Today, I'm making your favorite dish. Wait just a few more minutes."

She moved close to the table next to us near the window, where various dishes were arranged in glass bowls. He handed her a plate, and she took a deep breath, savoring the fragrance.

"I love it!" she exclaimed.

The old man chuckled. "Good things take time."

She offered to help, and he smiled, handing her a knife, onions, lemons, and coriander leaves.

As she sat over the counters top at the back of him waving her legs in air , he turned to me with a curious expression. I felt nervous and glanced at her.

She introduced me as her friend, and the old man's eyebrows rose in surprise. "A new friend, I presume?" he asked with a smile.

She nodded, explaining that I was the one who helped her earlier and got injured.

The old man's face lit up with a warm smile. "I'm glad to meet you," he said.

She patted the counter, inviting me to sit. I hesitated, still feeling a bit unsure.

I asked her, "Are you...?"

She stopped peeling onions and looked at me with a smile. "The owner's daughter," she replied.

I was shocked. Later, I recalled how everyone treated her with respect, even after the incident.

She asked me, "Do you know how to chop onions?"

I nodded, though I had no idea.

She glared at me. "At least peel them," she said with a blank face.

I confessed, "I've never entered a kitchen in my life. No one in my family cooks except the master chefs."

The old man frowned. "You've missed out on a lot in life. How pitiful."

I nodded. "I do feel that way sometimes. But I've always tried to make the most of my life, partying with friends and traveling to different places."

She patted my thigh reassuringly. "Don't worry, I'll help you recall your childhood memories and bring back the joy of your childhood until the day you leave for the States."

"I'll try to help you find happiness in the small things surrounding us".

"For now, let's start with peeling onions." She began teaching me how to peel onions, and we spent the next hour playing with ingredients.

She patiently helped me chop them, re-chopping the ones I messed up without complaint.

She explained how to make her favorite snack, bajji, from cutting green chilies and placing ajwain powder inside, to mixing batter and frying them.

As I practiced, I accidentally threw chilies into the pan, spilling oil everywhere. They both smiled and chuckled at my mistakes, guiding me through the process. After frying ten bajjis to charcoal, I finally became a bit more skilled. The room filled with laughter and teasing.

Once we finished, we plated the bajjis and chopped onions, which she had expertly cut into fine, perfect shapes. We added juicy lemon halves and a sprinkle of powder. They took me to the back garden area, where we sat on a bench at the edge of the veranda. The rain poured down, and the cool breeze felt refreshing. As we stretched our legs, we felt the raindrops falling on them. The view was stunning, with only the sounds of birds chirping and raindrops filling the air.

She prepared the bajjis, cutting them open and stuffing them with onions, coriander, and a squeeze of lemon juice. She sprinkled a bit of powder on top, and the aroma was incredible. I took a bite, and the flavors exploded on my palate - spicy chilies, sour lemon, and the perfect balance of powder. Tears of joy rolled down my face. "Wow, this is amazing!" I exclaimed. We savored the bajjis, enjoying the rain and the peaceful surroundings. These moments were truly unforgettable memories .

Let's see what will happen in the next chapter until then stay tuned for more updates 💕 🥰 see you soon..

feel free to mention your comments regarding this chapter...