The Things That I Left Behind..

Chapter-17

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C h a p t e r - 17

" She loves the smell of warm coffee, bloomed roses and new beginnings."
~Pinterest

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I wrapped myself into the six yards of elegance,named Sari.
I looked myself and examined myself.Perfect!I had totally hidden my marks.
My blouse was a high collared and my sari stuck to my body.But truly speaking,I felt uncomfortable.
I had tried to calm myself.The event is only of few hours and then I could come home.
My hair was tucked into the bun and I wore simple zirconium earrings.
I applied light makeup and came out of room.
My mom cooed at me and said,"You look beautiful."
I smiled at her before frowning when she said,"Umm..but will you be okay in this?"
I knew why she was asking me.I never really liked wearing such style.
I nodded at her when someone flicked my head and I spun.
My brother was giving me a idiotic grin and spoke,"Heh...you look like a monkey."
I glared at him and I spoke,"And you look like Ape."
He frowned and said,"What's that?"
I shook my head at him and stuck my tongue out.
My mother shook her head and we heard her saying,"Such kids."
And we both shouted,"Hey!"

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The restaurant was decorated beautifully.I looked awed as my mother hugged me and said to me,"I am proud of us."
My brother too hugged.
"Hey!Show us too!" I heard Ayush shout and I had to give him a apologetic look.
Saransh moved the laptop so Ayush and all of my office friends could see.
I heard Mishti say,"Sir,look your daughter has opened her restaurant."
I felt tears coming up.

My dad was helping me and Saransh with my homework.
We came across a question.
"What do you want to be when you grow up?"
He looked at us as we sat thinking.
Saransh shouted,"Like you."and he smiled.
Dad asked me,"And you,Sara?"
I thought before speaking,"Shef?"
Dad laughed lightly before saying,"It's chef."
I repeated,"Cheef?"
He shook his head and said,"C-h-e-f."
And this time I said,"Chef."
He nodded and said,"I will be waiting for that day when you both achieve your goals."

Saransh wiped my tears and said,"Hey!Sara?Come on.This is your day.You can't cry like this."
I sniffed and said,"I know.But it's like so far..."
Saransh interrupted,"Don't think of him.I know what that bastard spoke of your dream.Forget him."
I knew he was referring to Tusshar.

"Really,a chef?" He stated.
I nodded and smiled widely.He broke out laughing and said,"That's hardly a profession."
I tried to defend my choice,"But,it is what I like.My cooking passion is so strong..."
He deadpanned and spoke,"Is my passion strong or your job's?"
We both knew the answer.
I walked out of the place,disappointed when I heard him say,"Women are not supposed to pursue.They are supposed to be like sole.Sole of the shoes."
And he laughed.

They say everything happens for a good cause.Today I defend my choice and I am fulfilling it.I am at a better place.
So,I nodded at Saransh and smiled at my dad.I hope he is happy.
Suddenly,I heard the manager call out,"Ma'am can you please check the arrangements once?"
I nodded and excused myself.
I did the inspection and was grinning like an idiot.Everything is good so far.
I heard Saransh call out,"Hey Sara,Mr Malhotra has come."
I spoke,"Alright."
As I was walking out,I felt the sari's end getting stuck.My half attention at incoming guest,I forced the end to come out.
I think I heard some sound but I ignored it.
I walked towards mr Malhotra.He looked suave in his navy colour suit.He stood out in the crowd with his confidence.
Few months back,I felt he was arrogant.
Maybe he still is.My confidence in trusting someone is damaged and it is hard for me.I had jokingly suggested to him that we are friends,but are we?He proved this when he came immediately on hearing about the cafe.
The thought made me smile and I approached him.
His gaze stopped at me and his brown eyes stared at me.It was funny how his gaze was always so intense.His eyes always give me the feeling that all his attention is on me.That's nice I guess?
Anyways,I spoke,"Hi."
He smiled and said,"Hey.Congratulations.Your cafe looks good."
I smiled back at him and said,"Thanks. It's the result of our efforts."
Many of the guests that were attending were my office colleagues from Mr Malhotra's office and many were business associates from various fields.
Mom went up to the Dias and spoke on the microphone ,"May I have your attention please?"
Everyone's attention was on her.
I felt Mr Malhotra's warm breath on my neck as he whispered,"Your mom is just like you.She also has that commanding presence ,you know?"
It took me a moment to reply him,before I smirked,"So,you mean,you feel that I have commanding presence.More than You?"
He shrugged and said,"Why not?"
My smirk fell at his answer.I asked,"Do you not feel hurt if a female has more commanding presence than a male?"
I saw him laughing out loud and I was perplexed.
Tusshar had me hurt so many times because of this and this guy is laughing out loud?
He wiped a non existence tear and said,"Are you being serious?What's wrong in that?"
I stammered,"I...I mean..."
He looked straight at me and he stared at me as he spoke,"Every human has a different personality.There is something that makes them standout.It doesn't matter if the person is male or female.All it matters is what kind of person is it."
I was speechless.
He smiled at me yet again before saying,"This is your que.Go and make us proud.Your dad is also watching you."
I was dazed and I looked at him before walking up to the platform where my mother welcomed me.
I watched as Ayush,Mishti and group,Saransh,Mom and my dad were in front of me.The people who I cared about.
Maybe...Just maybe Mr Malhotra can be included in the list.
My lips curled up to a soft smile.And I began speaking.

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