Love is a wild force; unruly and untamed.

The scene evoked a sense of terror, evident from the fear etched on everyone's countenance. A golf cart carrying food skidded on the slippery ground and the waiters who were inside it, got injured. I knew it would happen. To say, I had planned this wouldn't be wrong. I wanted to warn Mehta that this was always a probability because the place he had chosen to build the kitchen was inappropriate.

The rain was pouring heavily making it difficult for help to reach the injured. Mehta and his guests didn't bother to come and check on those who were hurt except for Anandya who followed Manav and the deputy managers to the scene. She didn't bother getting drenched in the rain and genuinely wanted to help.

Was she actually Mehta's daughter? Her nature was in absolute contrast to her father.

Manav called for an ambulance and till then they were provided first aid at the hotel.

Anandya looked bothered and in a very polite tone, she told the waiters, "I am sorry this happened. It was our fault we chose a place where delivering food would be difficult in such weather."

"That's what we are here for Anu." Verma sipped his drink and took a quick look at the accident spot. He observed how injured the waiters were and added, "it's a test that we need to be more careful and alert. Had the officiating Head Chef done her duty promptly there would be no hustle and rush and this accident could have been avoided."

One of the newly recruited deputy managers who had been bearing the tantrums of Mehta and his guests replied sharply, "The kitchen staff is working efficiently and Chef Priya is doing a brilliant job with handling the high tea demands even before the lunch was over. Most of the staff has skipped their lunch to meet the demands and they are doing that without complaining. I think sometimes the guests should also be considerate and spare a thought for the ones serving them."

"Aye, manager, shut up. You cannot talk to my friend like that. Manav is this how you have trained your deputies?" Mehta scolded the manager and Manav rubbed the bridge of his nose trying to think of a reasonable response. He knew his deputy wasn't wrong but his choice of tone was not acceptable in the hospitality industry.

"Sir, I apologise on behalf of Adarsh. He is under training and is doing well. Probably it's the first time he has seen an accident and just got hyper. He won't repeat it, I guarantee." Manav eyed his deputy Adarsh to apologise and he followed the instructions of his senior.

Mehta let the matter pass as Anandya pleaded with him through her eyes. He told Manav to do what was necessary and left to enjoy the rain on the balcony taking his daughter along with him.

Rain was in no mood to stop but the Mehta clan was dead tired from nonstop drinking and eating. They took mercy on the workers and ordered them to keep the dinner simple.

Priya planned the dinner in such a way that everyone got to rest for twenty to thirty minutes before they bounced back feeling energised. While the kitchen staff was busy preparing dinner for the guest, Priya quickly fixed two desserts from the leftover in the afternoon. Even though dessert was not on the menu but she made it anyway so that Verma doesn't get a reason to point out any mistakes.

He had a personal vendetta against her it was quite evident but I was curious to know what because Priya also seemed edgy around him.

When the dinner was being delivered to the balcony, Priya told the servers to be careful and sent the grillardin along with cooks who were supposed to make Indian bread as per orders. The grillardin was an experienced man and had handled such situations.

Priya tried her best to keep everything in control and most of the staff was happy working under her still she overheard two cooks saying, "I wished Chef Jay was here. It's fun to work under him. Chef Priya isn't bad but Chef Jay's smile just motivates me to work harder."

To my utter surprise, Priya smiled listening to the conversation. This wasn't the reaction I expected from her. Is she having a character transformation? Maybe.

The guests were happy or drunk happy only the following morning will tell but Manav was happy with the efforts of the staff in a tight situation and he came to the kitchen to congratulate the team for their stupendous performance. He asked them to eat whatever was made for the guests sparing them the additional task of cooking separate meals for them.

"Priya, can I have a word with you?" Manav requested her and they sat in the restaurant with their dinner plates. Manav asked her if she had any clue about Jayveer. "His phone was found broken in his room and I am hell worried about his sudden disappearance. I cleverly called up his residence and asked his parents if they had any idea about him but they didn't. Do you have any common friends from college who could tell."

"His grandmother lives in Udaipur city. He must have gone to see her. She is his safe space and whenever he is not in his spirits he visits her." Priya's reply relieved Manav's tension but he was curious to know how Priya knew so much. She didn't give him a chance and answered his unasked question, "I know about him more than Eva's database." Manav and Priya shared a small laugh at her reply.

Eva was coming to them with her dinner plate when she heard them laughing at her mention.

"Hi Eva, come." Manav motioned her to join them but she ignored him and sat at a separate table.

Priya bit the insides of her cheek knowingly and watched Manav guessing the reason for Eva's indifference. To get his answers he went to the table she was sitting at.

"Hey, come join us." Eva nodded no and quietly ate her soup. "What's wrong?" Manav asked her but she adjusted her spectacles and remained quiet. "Eva, I am talking to you. What happened?"

"I am just following your orders and keeping quiet so that my silly opinions don't bother anybody," Eva replied sarcastically and Manav gasped loudly.

Hahaha! Girls don't forgive or forget easily, hence proved.

Manav sat next to her and pacified her confessing, "You know I didn't mean what I said earlier and I really value your opinions. Honest to God, I value you more than anything."

Aww! Like aww!

Eva's cheeks were red like a tomato and if I were Manav I would have kissed her to prove that I meant what I said. But he was a disciplined and mature man who knew how to behave and keep in control. Eva finally looked at him admiringly and they ate dinner in silence embracing their feelings.

Priya wiped her hands with a tissue and left without Manav and Eva noticing her. It was like only they were in the moment and everything else ceased to exist.

When Priya was finally in her room she dropped onto the bed and slept in seconds. The girl was on her toes since morning.

Jayveer, come soon. I don't know about her but I miss you. I want to know if you are okay after knowing how badly you were hurt by the girl you loved so much.

Humans are capable of creating and experiencing varied emotions in the same situations.

The following day, Mehta's secretary was considerate enough to inform Manav that the family will get up late in the morning as they were drunk and tired. The staff was instructed to report accordingly and they heaved in relief.

Priya's alarm rang in the morning at her usual time and in forty-five minutes she was ready like a breath of fresh air and heading towards the kitchen.

The drainage system of the resort was good and even after the heavy rainfall, there was no water clogging. Priya dialled a number on her phone and I was curious to know who she was talking to. She seldom spoke to anyone.

"Hey, what's up? You know why I called you so tell me was he there?" Priya asked someone from the other end.

"Still stuck to him?" The man from the other end asked teasingly but Priya didn't reply. Perhaps the answer was obvious to both of them and to me too. The person in context was Jayveer who Priya was still stuck too.

The man from the other end replied, "He was here since the afternoon but I am guessing he has left already. He looked shattered beyond repair but his nani is a magician and I think she will put him on the right track once again."

Priya stopped walking and stood near a tree. She looked at the far end at nothing in particular and with a strange longing in her eyes she wished, "I hope so too. I told him everything I knew, everything that happened. How much he believed, I don't know. Sometimes, I think I should have told him earlier but I always feared he would not be able to take it and ruin his career. Besides, what he did with me..."

"Let go, Priya. Let go. You both have lost almost twelve or thirteen years of life in all this. He was destined to be yours but you changed your path. Don't repeat that now. He knows everything about Arifa now and I hope he realises his mistake in misjudging you." The man sounded hopeful and genuinely wanted well for Priya and Jayveer.

Priya took in a deep breath and said, "No dadu. He took away everything from me and try as he may he cannot return it. Hell! I don't even want him to. We are better off without each other."

"Shh! Shh! Shh! Don't jinx anything. Just go with the flow. Who knows the moment you enter inside the kitchen, you find him already waiting for you looking gobble worthy in an aqua t-shirt and beige pants." The man Priya addressed dadu, teased her and she made a bad face. Though I could see her blushing slightly at the thought.

"You are the silliest old man alive. Why do I even talk to you? Bye." Priya hung up the call but I could hear the man laughing from the other end. Priya shook her head twice before going inside the kitchen. She looked around probably taking a chance to see if Jayveer was waiting for her but he was nowhere.

She came to her counter and touched the stove to show her respect. She checked the menu and started preparing the batter. Humming her favourite tune she was enjoying the fresh aroma spread in the kitchen. The barista gave her a cup of coffee bringing a smile to her face. She sipped the coffee and gave a thumbs up to her indicating that the coffee was brewed well.

Priya looked around the kitchen and everything was normal but there was no sign of Jayveer. I could read the concern on her face then why does she hide it from all?
She stirred the batter to bring it to a dropping consistency and then transferred it into a bowl, to keep it in the oven. She set the temperature and the moment she turned around she collided into her favourite person.

Jayveer.

Priya's eyes grew big seeing him dressed in an aqua t-shirt and beige pants looking gobble worthy as her Dadu described.

"Ghosh! You look scary when you widen your eyes like that." Jayveer's comment made Priya blink her eyes and she regretted looking at him like that.

She shifted left to go from there but Jayveer stood in front of her and studied her for a second before saying, "thanks for taking charge of the kitchen yesterday. It was irresponsible on my part but even if I stayed, I doubt I would have been able to take care of anything. You on the other hand must be supercharged because all the secrets that you have been hiding came out and now I hate Arifa more than I ever loved her. I tried to think hard but I couldn't understand the reason you never told me the truth. Revenge? No, because you won't gain anything from it. If at all you would lose all chances of being with me. Sadistic pleasure? Too extreme but maybe."

"Or maybe you didn't want to see what was as clear as the day. Before throwing stones at others just see the dirt on your hands." Priya's reply shut Jayveer up and she left giving him a disappointed look.
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Dear Readers
Jayveer is back but is still fighting with Priya. He knows the truth but is unaware of the depth of Priya's feelings for him. How will he know when they never have a normal conversation or even if they do, will Priya give him a chance to through her?

Find out!
Stay hooked!
Lots of love!