Chapter 334

The buffet was an extravaganza. She could hardly taste everything but she enjoyed her favorite foods. It has been so long that she had been to an Indian restaurant, except for an occasional Indian event where the menu was always the standard with not much option. Today she was able to enjoy the specialities of different regions. To her own surprise she remembered most of the dishes and was even able to relish them. Pryag concentrated more on the specaility rich foods like Kashmiri dum aaloo, Gujarathi Udio, Rajasthani churma, Punjabi chole, Karnataka begada chilli bath and Hydrabadi byrani. She was quiet amazed to see his appetite. He did speak the truth when he said he was famished. She on the other side enjoyed all the chats. She had forgotten show much she loved the chaats. First she helped herself with bhel puri. The added flavor was the thinly sliced mangoes. Then she tasted some dhai pappdi chaat and kachori chaat. It was very satisfying, especially with the extra sweet dhai which she felt she could just drink in a cup like a lassi. She took a break and just watched him enjoy him food. She couldn’t help but say, “Maybe it true about what they say. The best way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. And for someone like you, it is hundred percent true.” He smiled and finished the food in his mouth and said, “Maybe. But for women like you, there are many nice restaurants nearby. So you don’t really have to worry about it. Well, I don’t really expect my future wife to cook, as long as she loves me truly that is good enough for me.” She felt a pinch. That statement had a hidden meaning and was not as simple as it seemed. She knew that is the reason things had gone awry between them. She didn’t want to really talk about it but at the same time that was something that they have to talk about to clear the air between them. She just smiled and excused herself to get something.

She wasn’t sure what to eat. She picked up a dahi vada that looked delicious and walked around not knowing what else to eat. She just saw the waiter fill one of the hot pots with fresh uthappas. It was very hot and was right from the tava. Pryag’s mom used to make it and she had not eaten one in ages. It was very tempting. She searched for one that was small and picked one up. It had onions, peas and chilis. She helped herself to the tomato chutney and the sambar and skipped the coconut chutney as she was not a big fan of it. She asked for a mango-peach lassi and got back to her table. Looking at her plate Pryag exclaimed, “Now that looks divine. But I think I will pass and go for the dessert.” She smiled and took a bite. It was so spicy as she bit directly into the chili and her nose started watering. Luckily at the exact same time her lassi arrived and she was saved. Pryag laughed. “You have to be careful what you bite into. It is chili uthappa. The main ingredient is chili and they have added just a few peas and onion for added flavor. I am sorry but I can’t help myself but laugh.” She managed herself and carefully took another piece avoiding the chilis and dipped into the condiments and relished it. She alternated her pieces with her lassi and by the time she was done she was so full she couldn’t have another byte. Pryag had just picked up a rasmalai and finished his meal. She looked at the rasmalai and remembered Akshar’s comment the last time. She smiled and brushed it off as she was still feeling a bit of spice in her tongue from biting the chili. They just relaxed there for a few more minutes to let the food settle in their stomach. Pryag asked, “How have you been? “ She wondered why he asked that question or if it was leading to something. She said, “I guess I have been doing okay.” He said, “Good. I have really missed you. I would like to know what my place is in you life right now.” She looked at him not knowing what to say. He continued, “ I know things have changed in the past few months. But that doesn’t really change the past between us. Either we can pick up where we left off or we can have a fresh start. Either way I would like to know where I stand even though my feelings for you haven’t changed.”