Baithak
Jai
The freshly watered plants shimmered under the soft sunlight. The leaves of the yellow gulmohar tree swayed in the gentle breeze. A mynah chirped and flew away, a golden flower between its beak.
Slow mornings in Mumbai had their unique charm. Especially if paired with chai, a full breakfast spread on the patio and family.
‘Lehenga Bazaar’s settlement has been finalised.’
‘I heard.’ Dad paused to butter his toast. ‘Stealing designs,’ he scoffed, waving the knife in the air. ‘This whole thing was ridiculous. How could they think we wouldn’t find out?’
‘Something doesn’t sit right with me. I’m—’
‘Can we please not talk about work and spend some family time?’ Mom gave me a look.
I speared a piece of omelette with my fork.
‘Good morning, Jai,’ a familiar, cheery voice said.
I paused mid-bite. Oh, no. I closed my eyes in exasperation, centering myself before looking up.
Dressed in a short pink dress, matching heels and carrying a small purse, Krisha walked in.
Be nice. Be nice … ‘What are you doing here?’
Her smile slipped. ‘Rekha aunty invited me,’ she replied. ‘She said it’s a family brunch.’
Our mothers were friends. Ever since they discovered her crush on me and started playing matchmaker, Krisha had become a thorn in my side.
I’d made it clear I wasn’t interested, but the woman didn’t know when to quit.
Now, she’d wormed her way in as Suraina’s assistant, but as long as she wasn’t in my orbit, I could live with it.
‘Exactly. Family brunch.’
‘Jai!’ Mom admonished. ‘She is family.’
No, she isn’t. But according to Mom, disagreeing with her was equivalent to disrespecting her.
I forced a smile. ‘I apologise. I wasn’t expecting you to be here.’
‘It’s okay, I get it,’ Krisha said and settled in the chair next to me. ‘How are you, Jai? I haven’t seen you in a while.’
‘Busy and hungry,’ I said, then returned to my omelette.
‘I heard about the important board meeting today,’ Mom said, her eyes focused on me. ‘You’ve been so secretive about the agenda; rumours are flying all over the company.’
‘I have been,’ I admitted, setting down my fork. ‘I wanted to surprise Dad with it, but I just realised you won’t be there.’
I turned to Dad. ‘It’s a new line highlighting Indian craftsmanship by local artisans. I’m calling it Rivaayat.’
His cup froze mid-air. His hand trembled slightly as he put it down. A mix of pride, heartache and joy swam in his eyes. ‘Papa’s dream,’ he said softly.
A lump formed in my throat. I nodded. ‘I … I’m turning it into reality.’
‘New line?’ Mom asked, looking between both of us, a little stumped.
‘It was my father’s vision for the company,’ Dad replied, his gaze not leaving mine. ‘Your grandfather would be so proud of you. I am too, Jai. You have honoured his legacy in the best way possible.’
‘Congratulations, Jai.’ Mom smiled. ‘This is good news. Why didn’t you tell us about it?’
‘I didn’t tell anyone,’ I replied. ‘It was a surprise.’
Her eyebrow arched. ‘Not even your employees?’
‘No. It was so close to my heart, I needed everything to be perfect. So, I did it all by myself,’ I replied.
Well, Ananya helped, but she insisted on not taking any credit.
‘Not even your assistant? What’s the point of having employees if you can’t trust them to do what they are paid for?’
Irritation flared. ‘Anan— I mean, all employees are good at their jobs. But I wanted to do this project all on my own.’
She dug into her parfait.
‘That’s … incredibly thoughtful.’ Krisha’s hand covered mine. ‘I love it.’
I pulled mine away. ‘I’m very excited to show you, Dad,’ I said. ‘You’re going to love it.’
‘Where’s Ayaan?’ Mom asked. ‘It’s his company as well. He needs to attend this meeting.’
Right on cue, I saw some movement in the house.
A small, feminine figure was pressed against the French windows before moving away and disappearing into the living room. The window slid open, and Ayaan stepped outside shirtless, his hair tousled and looking far too pleased with himself.
I suppressed a smile as he dropped into the chair on my other side. ‘Good morning.’
‘Ayaan, where is your shirt?’ Mom asked sharply. ‘And why are you late?’
‘I was sleeping, Mom, chill,’ he said, grabbing a croissant from the basket. ‘Hi, Bhai.’ His smile turned mischievous when he spotted Krisha. ‘Hi, Bhabhi.’
I shot him a glare. ‘How was your date last night?’
‘Great.’
As expected, Mom’s mouth twisted before she spoke, her voice razor-sharp, ‘Ayaan, you need to stop messing around. You’re twenty-four.
You need to grow up and take some responsibility.
Especially at work. How will anyone take you seriously?
This is going to be your company one day; you need to act like it. You …’
I half-listened, more focused on enjoying my breakfast and Ayaan’s sulking face.
‘I need to prepare for my meeting.’ I rose once I was done. ‘See you two later.’
It took Dilip about twenty minutes to drop me off at the office.
The meeting was in an hour, and I was as prepared as I could be. There was only one thing I needed before I walked into it. Ananya.
It was Sunday yesterday, and since I took the day to prepare for my pitch, we didn’t see each other. I’d missed her.
The elevator doors slid open, and there she was.
Rishi leaned against her desk, saying something animatedly while she laughed, a takeaway cup in her hand.
‘You’ll know when it’s time to know,’ she told him.
‘Fine,’ he said, quickly straightening up as I walked towards them. ‘Jai sir. Good morning.’
A smile bloomed on Ananya’s face, slow and sweet.
I gave Rishi a nod before glancing at Ananya on my way to the office. ‘My office in two minutes.’
Just as I put the paper bag down on the coffee table, the door opened, and Ananya stepped inside. ‘Everyone is so curious about the board meeting. Rishi was asking—’
‘They’ll know soon enough. But first—’ I closed the distance between us, brushing my lips against hers.
I sighed at her sweet taste and pressed another kiss on her mouth. For a long moment, everything disappeared. Ananya was all there was. She was all that mattered.
My thumb caressed her cheek. ‘I’ve got something for you.’
Her eyes fluttered open. ‘Hm?’
‘Come here,’ I said, taking her hand and making her sit next to me on the sofa.
I picked up the bag, pulled out the container, and handed it to her.
‘You brought me food?’
‘Open it.’
She lifted the lid, then stilled.
Inside sat an avocado toast, the bread carefully cut into the shape of a heart.
She looked up, surprise and amusement dancing in her eyes.
‘Will you go out on a date with me?’
A smile curved her lips. ‘Didn’t you ask me that two weeks ago?’
‘I did, but between the board meeting and its preparations … we didn’t get to go,’ I said. ‘And the morning of the most important meeting of my life, you were the one I woke up thinking about. I refuse to wait anymore.’
‘I’d love to,’ she said softly.
‘Great. We go straight after work.’
‘But I’m not wearing date clothes,’ she said, looking down at her formal shirt and trousers. ‘And I don’t even have any make-up—’
‘You look perfect.’ I kissed her again, slower this time. ‘I cannot wait to see you later.’
‘Ambitious idea, Jai,’ Sanat, Karamchand nanaji’s assistant, said, shaking my hand. ‘I think he’s going to love it.’
Mom’s father was a brilliant businessman. Dad valued his opinion greatly and I was looking forward to his feedback. It was a shame he couldn’t make it. Now that I thought of it, he hadn’t attended a single board meeting in over a year.
‘Means a lot. Thanks, Sanat,’ I said. And I meant it. His endorsement of the pitch was worth something; Nanaji didn’t hire fools.
‘Good work, Jai.’ Mr Mistri, the last board member, shook my hand and walked out of the conference room.
‘This has the potential to transform the company completely.’ Dad’s smile was wide and proud when he hugged me. ‘You were brilliant, son.’
I felt a rush of pride. ‘Thank you.’
‘Love the idea, Bhai.’ Ayaan hugged me next. ‘You were amazing. We should get drinks. Celebrate.’
‘Thanks, Ayaan.’ I patted his back. ‘But I’m busy tonight.’
‘Tomorrow then. I’ll call Yuv and Arjun too. Make it a boys’ night.’
‘Okay. I’ll see you later.’
The board was quick to approve the pitch, so we jumped into strategy.
With three sessions of about two hours each, meal breaks and all their questions, it took all day.
Most of the office was empty by now. I’d be tired and ready to go home, too, if not for the adrenaline pumping through my body at the thought of my date with Ananya.
I pulled out my phone and went to Kavita’s chat. One unread message.
Ananya wasn’t at her desk when I returned to my office, but I did see an open cream box on it labelled Elie Saab. Perfect.
I quickly changed into the spare suit I kept at the office. Then, I glanced at my watch: 7.20 p.m.
I stepped outside.
A soft click of heels pulled my attention to the corridor.
Ananya walked towards me, and I swear I forgot how to breathe.
The midnight blue dress hugged her body like it had been made just for her. It caught the light with every step, shifting over her curves. The neckline dipped just enough to offer the slightest glimpse of her cleavage. Sleek, sensual and lethal.
But it wasn’t just the dress. It was her.
Soft waves tumbled down her back. Her eyes sparkled like she knew what she was doing to me. That perfect mouth that I’d now kissed more times than I could count.
She was temptation dressed in silk. And I was already on my knees.
‘You look stunning,’ I murmured.
‘Thank you.’ A demure smile formed. ‘For the dress too. You didn’t have to.’
‘You wanted to dress up, so I made it happen.’
I couldn’t help it; I took her in once again. She looked ravishing. ‘And I’m glad I did.’
A sharp intensity lit her eyes.
It took everything in me not to kiss her right then and there. But we weren’t alone in the office, and Ananya didn’t want anyone to know.
‘Dilip will take you to the restaurant,’ I said. ‘I’ll see you there.’
To avoid suspicion, I waited for five minutes to leave after she did.
The restaurant I chose for our date was called Baithak. It had no signboard, just a faded red door on a sleepy street that led to an old building.
Ananya stood outside, looking half-concerned. When I stepped out of my taxi, she saw me and exhaled. ‘Jai. I wasn’t sure I was at the right place.’
‘You are.’ I pressed a hand on her back and gestured towards the door. ‘Let’s go.’
Up a narrow set of stairs was another door. A small sign read the restaurant name. I opened the door, and Ananya entered first.
Soft yellow lights shimmered against old brick walls. The place had five tables, mismatched plates and hand-woven coasters. And it smelled of warm, home-cooked meals. Kishore Kumar played in the background.
I walked to the only empty table and pulled out a chair.
‘What is this place?’ Ananya murmured as she sat down, looking around in wonder.
‘My favourite restaurant.’ I smiled, taking my own seat. ‘The owner is a chef who cares more about food than money. It seats only twenty people a night and has no menu. You get what the chef cooks, and you love it.’
‘I had no idea this place even existed.’
‘Most people don’t. There are no websites or Instagram pages. It operates on word of mouth and is booked out for weeks.’
‘Then how did you get a reservation so quickly?’
‘Jai beta,’ Govind uncle greeted as he walked over, still in his apron. ‘I was so happy when you called. You haven’t come by in a long time.’
‘It’s nice to see you again, uncle.’ I stood up and hugged him. ‘This is Ananya.’ My girlfriend. But with the way his wise eyes looked at her, I didn’t have to say that out loud.
‘You’ve outdone yourself with her, Jai,’ he smiled as he shook her hand. ‘Welcome to my little restaurant. It’s an honour to host a special woman like yourself.’
‘Thank you,’ Ananya said shyly. ‘You have a beautiful place. I’m excited to try the food.’
‘You’re going to love it,’ he said. ‘I’ll leave you kids to it. I need to go back to the kitchen; let me know if you need anything.’
‘Govind uncle is Yuvraj’s father,’ I said once he left. ‘He’s the one who owns The Masala Box. We’ve been best friends since second grade.’
‘A family of brilliant chefs. Their dining table must be the place to be.’
‘Their kitchen is. I’ve never heard more yelling over how to make the best nadru biryani in my life,’ I said with a grin. ‘I’ll have you meet him, and Arjun soon – they’re my best friends. You’ll love them.’
‘Sounds like a plan.’ Her smile deepened. ‘How was the board meeting?’
‘Went great. Everyone loved it.’ I caught her hand on the table and rubbed soft circles on the back of it.
Her eyes lowered to our linked hands.
‘If not for you, I wouldn’t have been able to close the Mahalas.’ I raised her hand and brought it to my lips. ‘Thank you.’
Her teeth dug into her bottom lip.
A server arrived with smoked kathal galette topped with a tamarind–jaggery glaze.
Ananya looked sceptical.
‘Just try it. Govind uncle has the most weird-sounding amuse-bouches, but they’re delicious.’
‘Amuse-bouches?’ she repeated, laughing. ‘You’re making that up.’
It was a funny name now that I think of it. ‘It’s French for a welcome appetiser,’ I answered. ‘The literal translation is mouth amuser.’
‘That’s one way to set the mood,’ she said, her eyes twinkling as she popped it in her mouth. Instantly, delight took over her face. ‘Okay … wow. I love this.’
I chuckled. ‘Told you.’
We made our way through six more courses of soulful, decadent food, but none of it compared to the way Ananya looked at me, the way she laughed with me or that one brush of her leg against mine.
‘Thank you,’ she murmured, a warm glow on her face. ‘For this amazing date.’
I leaned in, brushing my lips against hers. ‘How about a second one?’
‘I would love that.’ She smiled, and I just knew.
This wasn’t just chemistry or a fleeting spark. This was gravity pulling me towards her – inevitable and unstoppable. There was no walking away from her.