Anamika

Execution of Solution! Yuck !

I was confused, worried, tensed, drenched in sweat and almost lost. I kept on thinking whether to take that step or not and then suddenly I announced, "Where is the cockroach ?"

Everyone looked at me. I could see hundreds of eyes staring at me. I again spoke loudly, "I can't see any cockroach here."

The bald guy shouted, "can't you see this?" And pointed towards the burger kept on the table.

I said, "huh ! This is a burnt slice of onion can't you see ?" and picked the cockroach, kept in my mouth and Gulped it.

"God ! What did I just do ? I ate a bloody insect... Yuck ! It's taste was like hell; I still feel how crunchy it's legs and wings felt on my tongue. I felt like vomiting it out but could not, as my Job, my budding career, my relationship with Jiya and my marriage, everything was at stake"

The bald guy looked at me in anger, and barked at me, "What the hell !! You Just ate a cockroach !"

I replied, "How can I eat a cockroach, I have never ever eaten even a single chicken burger in my own restaurant, I am a pure vegetarian. The burnt onion slice seems like a cockroach to you and that's why I ate it and proved that it was just a burnt slice of onion."

I could see them losing; the other three people who accompanied the bald guy stood speechless as now their plan of making a food safety issue was never going to be successful.

I politely asked them, "Sir shall I replace this veg burger for you or would you like to have some desserts, it will be completely complimentary for all of you sir."

The bald guy replied, " Huh ! This is the worst restaurant that I have ever visited, we wil never come to your restaurant again and will tell others also not to dine here".

And the whole group of four "Brand Teasers" left my Restaurant.

I went to the hand wash area, splashed mu face with water more than twenty times. Suddenly I felt someone's hand on my left shoulder.

I turned around and found Sameera standing there.

Sameera was a senior crew member.

She looked angry, asked, " Why did u do it?"

I replied, "What else I could have done? If I wouldn't have eaten that cockroach then they all would have called media and I would have got beaten by public for serving insects to them.

Suddenly I realised that she was working in Veg kitchen today and maybe she is thinking that I might be blaming her in my heart for preparing a burger with a cockroach.

She looked towards floor and said, "It was not my fault, I don't know from where that cockroach came."

I laughed and walked into manager's cabin, threw my cap aside, removed my tie, opened collar buttons of my shirt, sat on my chair, sighed and closed my eyes.

Sameera knocked the door and entered the cabin with a cup of coffee, kept it on table and stood quiet.

I told her, "It's not your fault, those people were Brand Teasers. It's their job to go to restaurants, create issues there and then demand money by blackmailing threatening to involve media in these issues."

Sameera sighed and looked relaxed.

"I thought due to my mistake it all happened" she said.

"No, no ! Anyway chill ! Can you please get a coke for me?" I asked !

She got one for me and again went into the kitchen.

Well, I was used to such issues. There was not even a single day when I don't get screwed by our customers. The worst part of my Job was that I had to get scolded by customers for the mistakes I didn't commit.

If my team member puts less sauce in Burger, I get screwed.

If they put more sauce, I get screwed.

French fries are soft, I get screwed.

Fries have more salt, I get screwed.

Coffee is strong, I get screwed.

Order taker is taking orders slow, I am the culprit.

Order gets delayed in home delivery, I am responsible.

Delivery boys break traffic rules to deliver fast, I have to beg cops in Police Station.

Well I was the only person to be blamed or praised for everything.

I took one sip and took my phone out of my pocket and saw 16 missed calls from Jiya.

God ! Now again I have to spend another half an hour to explain everything to my girlfriend and ask for forgiveness for not taking her calls.

I decided to call her at night as I always found it easier to convince her before she sleeps ! Cheesy words impact better at night!

I called the night shift manager, handed over all cash and keys and left for the day.

Reached home a Little late, had dinner and called Jiya as its better to try and diffuse the bomb rather than waiting for it to blast. She was very angry as I didn't pick her calls but I was successful in convincing her and winning her back !

After a bad day it was time to sleep and get ready for another bad day......