*5 years ago*

14th December

A pleasant chilled monday morning. Last night I couldn't sleep at all because today I have to reach on time for a cooking competition. All I can say is fear didn't let me sleep as I was quite scared thinking how I'm gonna face so many people, judges & above all cooking of which I have no idea.

For the competition, the participants had to be in pairs. So I almost forced 'Anita' my classmate cum friend to pair up with me. She approved for it so I happily & boldly registered our names. Why do I do such things. I have no idea but now I feel like crying because I'm really freaking out.

I was getting ready my phone started ringing. It was Anita. She asked me, "are you up"? I replied "yes" she said "okay" & hung up the phone. I asked Sumit bhaiya to drop me at the station. He gave me something which was very cold and asked me to open it only when you're about to "hit the bull's eye" and he winked, wishing me luck he left me at the station.

I reached there at sharp 8'o clock AM *just imagine* but still I was late as usual *lol*. Anita was already standing there waiting for me at the gate. She scolded me for being late and all but I am used to all these so there was no effect on me. Talk about shamelessness.

The college at which this competition was going to held had invited umpteenth of other colleges to participate. So, it was an Intercollege Competition type.

After all the speeches and introduction of the judges and ofcourse the instructions. They asked us to go to our respective cooking stations. They even told us that there is changing room so, if someone wants to, can use it.

I was wearing a hoodie as it was cold outside so me & Anita went to the changing room for removing our hoodies & jackets & wearing those aprons & caps. As soon as I removed my hoodie, Anita looked up to me and said, "are we here to attend someone's wedding"? I was about to reply something but she left & told me to come to the cooking station as soon as possible. When I entered all looked at me as if I'm extraterrestrial creature. *gross*

Well, I know why they are staring me with their orbs out. I was wearing a mint green Indian attire which was more of an occasional attire than something which people wear when they are going to play with fire, flour, veggies & all those things which we don't want our clothes to touch. But I can't do anything I do know what to wear for a cooking competition but all my casual dresses where either in the laundry or I can't find any of them. I wonder, if there is a secret pathway behind my closet which leads to Narnia or somewhere & may there the Snowwitch or Mr. Tumnus like casual dresses. *lol* but still could be a possibility.

Well, back to reality (yeah those were my thoughts *wink*). I just ignored everyone & every pair of orbs & went straight to my station. Then the staff came & again informed us about the 'rules & regulations'. Yeah as if anyone's gonna follow them.

They asked us to look at our cooking stations & see if everything is there on what we need. I looked at my station which was a table. Well, it was even written on a white paper with black 'Table No.11'. I don't know why they were yelling "cooking stations".

Well, I was satiable, it was 'Last Table' so nobody can comment behind about my dress.*pheww* I looked at all the things we needed and it was all there. The room was big with our stations, oops sorry tables covering the perimeter of the room. In the middle the gas burners were placed for cooking & a refrigerator almost in the beginning of the room at the left side. There was a long table just behind two or three steps of a refrigerator on which veggies like potatoes, onions, oils, spices, sauces & all other requirements were kept. So, if we wanted something we could take it from there.

The tables were made of steel almost everything in the room was. I guess that's why Chef's are so stern & hard- You know like "steel". "Man of Steel". ( No, not superman-please)

We were given a flat steel box covered with broad edges on all the four sides like something without lid but all the ingredients were nicely wrapped in a white sheets & that they call it as a 'mystery box'. At first, looking at it I thought this is a mystery box then later on I said, whatelse I was expecting? A box of gold. (how lame Arohi) We were not supposed to open it until its said. It was kinda like 'Masterchef' and the feeling too. *jitters*

At sharp 9'o clock, the bell rang they told us to start. Finally the game "feed the hunger" began. We all opened our 'mystery box' which earlier was sounding so mysterious was now no more. Only to be greeted with fish & chicken they were great ingredients as we can use it in many dishes. I got to know the names of some other spices & condiments. (yeah this was the only benefit)

I and Anita, both divided our work. She took fish whereas I chicken. She even started making things & I was still staring at the chicken as if it will come to life and tell me what it will like to become. Hi ! I am chicken I will like to become tandoori chicken now those tandoors are very hot let's settle on chicken 65. I wish that could happen.

I really didn't know what to do & was cursing Sumit bhaiya because he's the one who urged me to participate in this competition. I somehow managed to think what I have to make I picked all the ingredients & started working just then I felt like someone was staring at me. At 'Table No.12' was this guys very next to our table, one among them was this clumsy looking guy written on his face was 'LECHER', with his hungry eyes & poisonous smile exposing all his 32 yellow teeth. The sight literally scared me. *shivers* I somehow managed to ignore him too & concentrated on my work. I was doing starters & Anita took up the main course & we decided together we'll make dessert.

After sometime Anita told me to get some fruits from fruit table, straight on my way without any hesitations from our table. I went straight looking down without facing anybody & as I was picking some fruits I heard someone's sarcastic laugh. It really made me suspicious about my work, "was I doing something wrong"? I turned back to face him but he turned away still caught his glimpse. I went to Anita & asked, "do you know why he laughed"? She puzzledly asked, "who"? I told her, "I guess he's a supervisor". I asked her again, "why do you think he laughed"? I don't know maybe because you were picking each & every piece of grapes with your hands. "Then how does he pick, ugh" I losing my temper asked her. "Get a knife & cut a whole bunch of it", she said. I again went back to the fruit table with a knife, this time my intentions were more of cutting the guy's head than a bunch of grapes. Like seriously, how can you laugh at someone especially who is not from your background. *insulting*

Later on, one of the other supervisor came to check out whether we were cooking properly or not & even that 'sarcastic laugh' guy too came with him. By the help of gestures I signalled Anita & told her this was the guy. We looked at him from head to toe, was in a Chef's suit or something like that, black & white plaid cap & pants too with a bright white apron, a green & white checked cloth were wrapped around his neck was looking more like a tie. I guess this was their daily uniform as everyone of them was wearing the same.

The thing which was irking the most was this Chef cap, all of the participants must have to wear it along with a white apron given by them, this cap was made up of paper so because of sweat it was tearing apart and on top of that the 'cameraman' who was roaming everywhere was particularly taking 'my' ugly pictures. I guess, he wanna show how hard people are working for this stupid competition.

Everybody around me was making food like it's literally 'masterchef' & they all are the one because all around me things were tossing, getting tempered, whistles of cooker. 'God! Somebody help me' was the only thing dancing in my mind & God answered me sarcastically by sending this 'sarcastic laugh' guy. We know were calling him as 'The Unnecessary Guy'- suits him.

As Anita was done with her dishes. I was feeling jittery, I was still at the frying part and at this time I realize in what amount I've made the dishes. It was supposed to be for two servings but from the look of my dish I guess there is a party somewhere and I have to serve. Ugh- stupid me !

I was still in my paranoia, when I noticed that 'unnecessary guy' looking at me, smiling ofcourse- sarcastically. I wondered why he always smile like this maybe his face is like this only. Just then I noticed I was deep frying what needs to be shallow fried. 'Oh! That's why he was smiling'. I thought to myself, can I stop embarrassing ownself atleast for a minute- seriously! And that guy didn't move from there.

'Has someone put fevikwik on his shoes or what? Why can't he go from here!' At last the great God of heaven- HE MOVED. *pheww* And ofcourse I'm a big magnet & that 'unnecessary guy' is literally made up of iron because he just can't go away. He again came took a look at all the dishes on the table & tauntingly told his friend beside him, "don't you think it looks more of a wedding party or of ramadan iftaar party". Even I laughed at that remark.

I looked at my dish again, I have made atleast 20 servings what should be for 2 servings. I hope the judges have came straight out of 2 years of hunger or starvation so they can eat like 10 people.

While I was keeping the fruits in the refrigerator that guy met me again & he told me to add cream on them while making dessert. I asked him, "will it taste good?". He smiled in affirmation. I smiled back.

After a while he asked me what will we do of this extra food. I just shrugged. He asked whether you take it home. I said 'No'. Then again he asked, "are you going to eat it here?" I said 'No'. "Will you throw it into dustbin", asked that curious guy. I said 'No'. At last he was looking irritated. He told me to put it in a plate & they will eat it. I said, 'OK' & bend down to pick up a plate from the cabinet below the table.

Even he kneeled down with me. He was saying something but I was staring at his eyes. I completely got lost in them. It usually is a guy who gets lost in a girl's eyes but this time it was me. I must be looking like a lecher when I was completely staring at him with eyes popped out. He had so beautiful & 'Innocent Eyes'. How can someone with such innocent eyes can be not-so-innocent type.

Just like those cliche in bollywood movie we both were kneeling & I was completely lost in his eyes but here my books were not fallen as always in bolly movie & this time it was a girl shamelessly checking out a guy. Sometimes I'm weird. I quickly put my eyes somewhere as he looked at me. I hope he didn't caught me sticking on my eyes on his or else its going to be awkward.

I quickly stood up, seeing me he hesistatingly asked, "what's your good name?" I answered and then asked his name. He said to read it. It was written on his uniform, left side on his chest. I guess on his heart was weaved in small letters 'AYAZ'.

After a while I noticed him helping everybody with their presentation. The most good quality of his was that, he was helping everybody alike. No partiality 'helping everybody to make their dish look the best. He was even helping that 'Table No. 12', lecherous guy' (Yeah! Call me a hypocrite). He helped me dressing the table & all of those garnishing. The way he was helping me with all of that care. I thought that maybe I'm falling for him. Gaaaaawwwd! What am I doing? I'm already in a relationship. I can't act like a bitch! ( focus Arohi focus)

Atleast the judges were coming to scrutinize. I was really scared but Anita calmed me a bit. I looked at my dessert which was made of fruits, cream, vanilla and all sweet things it was quite cold. I guess because of that box which Sumit bhaiya gave. There was 'dry ice' in it which can freeze anything within seconds. I even put some dry ice in a bowl of water which made the fumes to come out. It was looking 'EPIC'. It gave all the presentation a mysteriously awesome look. Everybody was looking at us as it was looking really awesome 'thank you! Sumit bhaiya' I said quietly. He took it from one of his friends and gave it to me especially for this competition.

At last 'Ayaz' came to my table to see if anything is left to be done. He looked at our presentation & gave a thumbs up. He told me, "don't be afraid just answer only what they ask". I smiled in affirmation. The judges came, took a look, asked some questions and went. After going with everyone's dishes they went in the middle of the room & told us that the winner of this competition will be announced at the end of the college festival, three days after the day.

At last, they set us free at around 3'o clock. I was so creakingly tired I went straight to home. For the first time ever I slept in local train.

I reached home tired & narrated the whole scenario to everybody. They all said that they are happy atleast I tried.

Later on the following evening, holding a cup of tea in my hand I was checking out my Facebook. I remember that guy & his name. I wonder if he would be on Facebook- "ofcourse, he'll be on Facebook. Everybody is- I hope so!"

I thought to give it a try but I didn't knew his surname. There must be hundreds of his name still I typed in- (height of obsession) & yes there was hundreds of his name & I can't just look at each & everyone. I was about to close but then I typed his name with his college name & clicked search a list of people came on my cellphone screen & he was at top "Ayaz Raye" with his college name but still I was not sure nevertheless, I clicked on his name, his profile picture came. He was looking more handsome than last time I saw him. "Is he the same guy", I wasn't sure so I looked at other pictures of his & yes he was the same guy. I patted my shoulder I really am a great stalker! But there is no other option I had to thank him for his kind help. I didn't got any time, I was so tired & he wasn't even there. I know it was his work to help us out but it takes a big heart and a wonderful personality to help people without any greed.

Soon, this guy's news spread like a wild fire among my nieces, my pals & my sister. Anita warned me saying, he has a girlfriend. I don't know why I felt like someone twisting my heart with a knife- Ouch! That hearts! *wink* but I just pretended like I don't care a damn. All my pals were saying that I'm obsessed with him & this is not a great sign for my 'relationship'.

After a whole two days of discussion & confession. I called Kyra as she is my stress buster & best advisor. She told me to do what I feel like. She said, "you just have to say 'thank you'- its not that bad". I thought what is he gonna think of me, if he will think that I'm some lecherous girl behind him or something or his girlfriend gets to know she will kill me! After a while I decided to message him, so logged in to Facebook, typed a big 'thank you' paragraph and pressed the button send, closing my eyes. Then I looked at 'Add as a friend' tab. I thought should I or shouldn't I? Then again unthinkingly I pressed it and 'sent a request'. I looked at the clock it was 18th December 12:23 am.

Next day, late in the afternoon he accepted my request. But his reply to my big 'thank you' message was just 'K'. My heart just shattered there. I was like, kill you Maaan! This time for sure I hated him for his not-so-interested-more-like-insult sounding reply. Within minutes another message popped up from his side.

Ayaz Raye: Who's this?

I ( sarcastically): A person from planet Earth :/

Ayaz Raye (again): K

Honestly, K-kills me. Like I personally hate people who reply with a 'K' like how many nanoseconds did you people saved? I'm talking to you, I don't want to know about 'potassium', for God's sake I hate chemistry.

As I never kept my own picture as my profile picture so he's question was legitimate, still I was angry and he didn't sounded interested. So I left him, this guy really complicated.

A couple of weeks passed, one night he posted his picture of that competition on which I commented, "like you could have done it any better". My message box popped up just then .....

Ayaz Raye (doubtedly) : What do you mean and who are you?

I (asked) : You really donno who I am?

Ayaz Raye (plainly) : NO ...

I took him in a flashback & told him everything. He recognised me *thankfully*and the first reply he did after that was ....

Ayaz Raye (smilingly): "Oh! The Last Table Girl" and I laughed out loud.

From then onwards we chatted a lot. One day I told him, I still remember the date it was 3rd January late night, "do you know you have such innocent eyes which can make any girl drool over you"!

And from that day I named him "Innocent Eyes" & he named me "LTG- Last Table Girl". It went on and on, we became friends then good friends then best friends. He became a beautiful part of my life whom I could blindly trust.

I came out of my thoughts of the guy with the patent 'sarcastic laugh', with a smile on my face. I clicked my Facebook inbox and opened Ayaz's message. It was long & with every sentence I read, my grin grew bigger & bigger.

A big thanks to all my readers for wishing me on my very own birthday *laughs*

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Stay blessed, Stay happy

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See ya soon *smile*