Amit Tiwari [Tiwari - Can’t Cook A Love Story

CANT COOK

A LOVE STORY

CANT COOK

A LOVE STORY

..STILL I AM CHEF

Amit Tiwary

Srishti Publishers & Distributors

N-16, C. R. Park

New Delhi 110 019

srishtipublishers@gmail.com

First published by

Srishti Publishers & Distributors in 2012

Copyright Amit Tiwary, 2012

All characters in this book are fictitous, and any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the Publishers.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

T he book in your hand is an embodiment of inputs from many people who knowingly or unknowingly helped to create this story.

To acknowledge them all, I must not forget to thank God for making me capable enough, that I am writing this acknowledgement.

I would like to first thank Maa, Baba, uncles, aunts, cousins who inspired me that I am capable of doing bigger things.

This story would not have been a book if Ashish, Sudip and Kaustav would not have been there. Thanks for listening to the manuscript on a regular basis; for making that small cup of lemon tea at night and for adjusting with Khichdi on my cooking schedules. I still remember you all saying- Baba bas thoda aur baki hai when I was still on the 11th page.

My thanks to Runa (Amrita), Paresh, Betu dada (Bishwajit), Antara Bhabhi, Buni Didi(Leena), Santosh Jeejaji, Archita, Riya, Arpan, Ankur, Ankit, Arnab, Debarati, Debojyoti and Debanjan for being cordial and showing strong bondage since childhood days.

I would like to thank Vikas Jaiswal and Ajay Nikam for their inputs in designing the cover page. Khushboo, Manu, Shraddha, Sandeep, Archana, Pooja, Shazia & Sonal, I will always remember the joy and ecstasy in your face as the book cleared one hurdle from another.

The team at Srishti cant be forgotten to be praised as they showed faith in me and in my writing.

All those persons in this world who share their names with the characters of this book I owe you all a lot. You gave me the power to imagine.

Special thanks to Shri Amitabh Bachchan Ji. I always thrive to imbibe your values and qualities that gave me the strength to write this book.

Last, but not the least, Shailaja, who during each dismal moment of my life kept me with the trust that it was temporary.

All these would have been in vain if you, my readers would not have spent your time and money for this book. Thank you all for your support.

DEDICATED TO

My Dida- Smt. Prokriti Tewary

Hotel ManagementNot only a course but a lifestyle

Dhanbad.My villageMy TownMy City

CONTENTS

PROLOGUE

I t was a customary announcement from the cabin crew on board AI-191 of the 777-300 ER aircraft of AIR INDIA, from CHHATRAPATI SHIVAJI international airport, Mumbai to Frankfurt.

AIR INDIA TAKES GREAT PLEASURE IN WISHING ALL PASSENGERS A HAPPY DEEPAWALI. WE ARE NOW READY FOR DEPARTURE AND YOU ARE REQUIRED TO SWITCH OFF YOUR MOBILE PHONE. I completed my fake concern for the passengers of the flight as I went ahead for the service of sandwiches to all the 88 passengers allotted to me.

Life had been appalling there in AIR INDIA, with the aviation sector in India and around the world facing a big turmoil. The job over the years had been boring and there was nothing new to see around the world. The Eiffel Tower now seemed to be like yet another electricity tower of the city and London Bridge held nothing new.

What would a hawker daily selling Bananas on the Howrah Bridge find anything new there?

Yes of course every time I visited any damn place, there were certainly new things to buy, but thanks to the management of AIR INDIA, they did their best to cut our pockets short.

Madam, Sandwiches. Would you prefer Veg or non-veg? I asked to a lady passenger in the economy class as I drew the trolley from the galley through the aisles.

Non Veg

Sure, I said as I handed her serve of food.

Can you please get me some decaffeinated lemon Iced Tea along with that. The lady said removing her designer sunglasses as she raised her curvy eyebrows.

I was more stunned with the need of the sun glasses inside the cabin rather than the bizarre customized order placed.

Sorry Maam, can you please come again? I said. Was that lemon

The services in AIR INDIA have degraded drastically She commented in the ears of the fellow passenger.

I had no other choice than to digest the insult and move ahead. Ahead, to find yet another order like a cup of cappuccino without froth.

I seriously feel like to de motivate the people who try their level best to educate these idiots. They really pose danger to the servers.

All of us like Sanjeevika, Aaditya, Mansi and Namita were the victim. Yes they were also working with me as Cabin Crews and Air Hostesses with AIR INDIA.

The end of the first service propelled everybody to gather at the rear galley.

We are screwed working here. Nobody damns about our credentials and abilities. Cant things change for us? Shrugged Adi.

But why are you taking things seriously? Its a part of our job now. Sanjeevika exclaimed.

No yaar. Things are going against me. Its enough. I had a dream but I could not make it through. I dont understand where I am heading towards? His eyes became soft as he said so removing the mock caviar from the tin.

You never know what is in store for you. Just do your job, chase them as long as you can. I said as I appeared like some Gurudev in front of them.

It is easier said than done. He slashed.

Interlink your dreams and you will see that your dreams are never dead. I quoted as I found everybody getting deep into my words.

But how are you so confident about your thinking? Namita asked her first question of the session.

I smiled closing my eyes. Because I had seen that happen.

What has happened? the Purser questioned everybody as he arrived.

Just some usual company whereabouts. We will also enjoy some inputs from you Sir. I said rotating the subject.

The potbelly of the purser had more power to disintegrate the crowd rather than his speech to integrate them. Soon everyone was again found doing mise-en-place (preparations) for the next service.

The flight landed safely with all the customary announcements and we also leaped to collect our luggage and boarded the cab for the hotel. Adi, however was seen lost and inquisitive simultaneously. Perhaps he was moved by my lectures. I was a good motivator.

A smile was generated inside me as I could foresee yet another career in case the AIR INDIA shows me a pink slip. Right, to be a Sadhu, up there in the mountains of Himalaya. But quickly I too realized that whatever I spoke was not a joke and was very much a true fact.

Sudip. Aaditya called.

What was that which you said that you have seen? he was curious.

My strained eyes looked for a sleep as I said I WILL SHARE EVERYTHING AFTER A NAP IN THE HOTEL

BHUBANESWAR