Chapter 1
It was 7 o’clock in the morning.
The kitchen looked like a battlefield, spoons, bowls, and masalas were scattered everywhere.
Aarohi Rathore was dashing between the stove and the countertop, trying to prepare both breakfast and lunch for her daughter, Isha.
She wiped her hands on her cotton apron and made her way to Isha’s room.
“Isha, it’s already 7! Don’t you have school today?” Aarohi called gently, peeking into the room.
Isha, pretending to be asleep, kept her eyes tightly shut. Aarohi smiled knowingly and decided to play along.
“Well then, if you’re not getting up, I guess I’ll eat all the food I made just for you. I even made your favourite, aloo paratha and paneer rolls...”
At that, Isha’s eyes flew open. “Mamma! You can’t eat all of it! My teacher says sharing is caring, so you have to share with me!”
Aarohi put on a mock frown. “You naughty little one! So you were awake the whole time, huh? Pretending to sleep? I think someone deserves a teeny-tiny punishment!”
Laughing, Isha jumped out of bed and dashed past her. “Catch me if you can, Mommy!”
Aarohi ran after her, their laughter echoing through their home like morning bells. This was how most of their mornings began, messy, joyful, and bursting with love.
By the time the chase ended, Isha was dressed in her school uniform, and Aarohi had changed into her simple yet elegant kurta for work.
She packed Isha’s lunch, grabbed her school bag, and they both headed out.
At the school gate, Aarohi crouched to her daughter’s eye level, “Listen carefully, my good girl. Don’t go anywhere without informing your teacher, and no talking to strangers, okay?”
“I know, Mamma!” Isha nodded seriously “I’m a good girl!”
Aarohi kissed her forehead “That’s my Isha. Now hurry up, or you’ll be late!”
“Bye, Mamma!” Isha waved, running inside with her tiny ponytail bouncing behind her.
Aarohi lingered for a moment, her heart full, before driving to work.
___________________
The aroma of spices and sizzling oil welcomed her as she stepped into the bustling kitchen of The Maravillia Grand, the restaurant she had helped build from scratch.
The staff was already moving fast, prepping for the breakfast rush.
“Good morning, Aarohi!” boomed a voice behind her.
She jumped and turned, seeing Jahnavi standing there with her usual mischievous grin.
“Ayy, Jahnavi!” Aarohi groaned “Can’t you talk like a normal person? Why do you always sneak up on me like some horror movie villain?”
Jahnavi laughed “Why fear when Jahnavi is here!”
Aarohi rolled her eyes “You’re why I have grey hairs at thirty...”
Jahnavi pouted dramatically, hands over her heart “You are talking to me so rude!”
“Stop acting and tell me why haven’t you came home last night?”
Jahnavi shrugged “Nothing... just went to the part-time at a convienent store.”
Aarohi sighed, tying her apron tighter. She looked at her with her soft eyes “I’m so sorry Janu... you are stuggling because of me. I know I should be the one to do all those part-times for Isha’s fees... I’m really sorry.”
Jahnavi hugged her tightly “Stop it Aaru! Isn’t Isha my daughter too, aren’t I responsible for her fees?!“, she broke the hug and looked at Aarohi “Well... If you want to show you apology, then make me somthing delicious tonight. Then I’ll accept it!”
Aarohi smiled as she turned to the kitchen table to start her work “Well tonight’s menu will be decide by MissJahnavi Singh!” she said dramatically.
And with that both of them jumped into the work.
______________________
Hours passed, and the kitchen buzzed with orders.
Aarohi moved through the chaos with practiced grace, her apron slightly stained and her hair tied back as she plated the final garnish. She was in her element, focused, calm, in control.
Until the manager walked in with a clipboard in hand, his tone sharp “Aarohi, Jahnavi, drop everything. VIP Chamber 7 needs full service. Go now!”
Without a word, both women nodded and loaded a serving table with dishes. Clinking plates, folded napkins, and piping hot entrees were balanced with care as they wheeled the table toward the chamber.
Jahnavi opened the door, and Aarohi pushed the cart in, a bright, professional smile lighting her face “Apologies for the delay, sir. Here is your order” she said warmly, beginning to set the dishes onto the polished table.
But before she could finish, a voice, firm, familiar, and painfully nostalgic, spoke her name.
“...Aarohi?”
She froze. Her heart clenched.
She looked up slowly, and there he was “Dr. Raghav...?” she whispered, the name escaping her lips like a ghost she never meant to summon.
A silence settled over the room.
One of the guests turned, curious “You two know each other?”
Raghav nodded, emotion thick in his expression.
Aarohi, however, couldn’t speak. Her hands began to tremble as she continued placing dishes on the table, until her fingers nearly slipped a plate.
Jahnavi noticed instantly. She gently took over, stepping in and continuing the service with quiet ease.
Aarohi stepped back. She couldn’t hold it in. Not with the past staring her in the face. Not with a man who knew parts of her life she’d buried deep.
Without a word, she turned and walked out of the chamber, her head lowered, hiding the tears threatening to fall.
Raghav watched her leave but said nothing. He understood. Some wounds don’t heal with words. ”I guess she still couldn’t move on from her past” Raghav wispered himself.
Once Jahnavi finished the service, she bowed slightly, “Please let us know if you need anything else, sir!” she said politely before walking out.
Back in the kitchen, the clatter of utensils masked soft cries.
Jahnavi’s heart sank when she saw Aarohi in the corner, furiously chopping vegetables, too fast, too recklessly. Her hands moved as if to outrun emotion, as if chopping fast enough could erase pain.
Jahnavi didn’t wait. She rushed over and wrapped her arms around Aarohi, stilling her hands with a tight, warm hug “I know it’s hard, Aaru...” she whispered “but aren’t we supposed to face it someday?”
Aarohi wiped at her cheeks but didn’t turn. “It still hurts, Janu... Maybe I’m not over it. Maybe I still need more time... to move on from the past. To move on fromhim."
Jahnavi tightened her embrace “Then take that time. But don’t let the past steal the present you’ve built. You’ve come so far, Aaru. You’re stronger than you think. Don’t let this moment weaken you now.”
