The Cook

Meet him, the corporate honcho, a self-made man. His life is a run between two houses one governed by 50-year-old and the other by a 30-year-old.

His week was a chase that exhausted his energy and each Monday was a pray for Sunday. Last night, while coming late from the office he told himself – no laptops, no emails, read the title brought last year (his favorite one) and watch that series (which he was eager). He wanted to stay in bed, but the title and series motivated him to leave it early. It was a beautiful Sunday morning, no morning walk, the calm wind, and an open balcony. He felt like Maharaja, Maharaja of his own kingdom, bed tea, no calls, no text, newspaper, those chirping birds and the luxury of laying back.

It didn't take long for him to realize Maharajas are no more, it's a democracy. Post-tea he was offered a list of errands, options to choose shopping mall and responsibility to take care of the 3-year-old kid. His dreams were shattered, the title was still in the closet, the series was a switch away, so close yet so far.

He was giving the finishing touch to his favorite Ginger tea, he heard from the bedroom – “Today is Sunday, daddy is going to play with you whole day”. The next moment he had this 3-year-old on the left lap and a glass of milk in the right hand. He pretended most lovely and asked gracefully to his son “my boy, let’s see how fast you can finish this glass of milk” and none to his surprise the kid just refused to take even a single sip. He spoke loudly, "Mam, the client is in no mood to accommodate any sales". But the boss won't take "NO" for an answer. Steve jobs came to his rescue, that day he realized why Steve created iPad. Now he was creating the client's mood and making small invoices and after 20 minutes, voila, target completed.

The newspaper was still on, he was still grasping the meaning of that editorial, a question was thrown. A question whose answer is never enough, no matter what you write you will always fail. What should I cook in the breakfast, she asked gracefully, as if there is an option to choose beyond Parathas and Poha? But he was experienced now, he said in a French accent- whatever you like, madame. But his wife was not ready for a matchless win. She still intrigued until they settled for Poha.

3-year-old on iPad, the Bollywood section of newspaper and the plate of Poha, the multitasking was at the peak. Suddenly the silence broke – she asked- how is the Poha. He tried to give a matchless win again – superb! he exhaled. She was not ready to take that win, she said first taste and then say I think there's some extra salt. He wanted her to win, he said no, it’s still superb. After failed attempts to make her win, he thought she wants him to win today and he announced to be the chef for the lunch. She smiled, endorsed and motivated him that he is a great chef.

He was always mom’s boy; her food was not leaving his tongue. Today was his day to cook the way he wanted to taste like the mom always used to cook on a special occasion. There was no cap and the apron was girlish, he avoided both but the feeling of being a chef was paramount. It was his chance to win for him and show who is better at every task. It wasn't long for him to realize the kitchen platforms aren't like as they get picturized in movies. Cooking is a job of patience and watchfulness, he got bruised by knife, burnt by hot utensils. But nothing stopped him for his desire to win, he kept on adding those X factors be it frying in ghee, the cream or exotic masalas. In the whole process, she was just smirking in a corner pretending to be of help.

Food is the way to win hearts. It was Matar Paneer. 30 minutes labor gave it a fantastic look, there was ghee clearly visible like in mom’s food. He was excited and she was like giving him a matchless win – “hmm nice look, nice fragrance, this must be yummy”, she said. He wasn't in the mood to accept that his whole preparation for the match ended in a matchless win, "please eat it first", He said.

Post first bite, her eyes were wide open, and she exclaimed, this is awesome! I think you should cook daily. He was concentrating on Matar paneer, it was yum. Suddenly there were thoughts in his head, a thought which faded the taste of Matar paneer - did I win? I need to cook daily? Was it a plot to make me a cook? Did I lose?

He is still figuring the answer and that is still afresh in his mystery box. can you help him to find the answer?

Love,
Ankit