CBG#8 LOVE ON THE LINE

Chp:-3 Meeting

DAKSHITA RAICHAND

As the judges of "Food Frenzy India," me and Chefs Shilpa Khanna, Rajveer Singh, and Vikram Sathe were deep in discussion, reviewing the dishes that the contestants were going to make before the show went on air.

I picked up a sheet of paper and began reading from it, "So, our judging criteria are taste, creativity, presentation, techniques, use of ingredients. We have to make sure that we evaluate each dish objectively based on these parameters."

Chef Shilpa Khanna nodded in agreement. "Yes, we can't let our personal preferences or biases influence our decision. We have to be fair and consistent in our evaluation of each dish."

Chef Vikram Sathe added, "Very well put Dakshita and Shilpa, and we have to make sure that we give constructive feedback to the contestants, so they know where they stand and how they can improve their dishes."

Chef Rajveer Singh, who was also my close friend, my brother like best friend, chimed in, "We should also take into account the difficulty level of each dish. Some dishes may look simple, but they might have been challenging to execute." Surviving in Paris & Le Cordon Bleu without Rajveer would've been a nightmare for me.

Chef Vikram nodded, "Exactly. We have to be mindful of the effort and technique that goes into each dish."

As we continued our discussion, and reviewing the dishes that the contestants were going to make in detail before the show went on air, Chef Vikram said, "I heard that Abhishek Raizaada is the sponsor for this show. He is a brilliant businessman, and his company has been doing really well. He always knows how to make the right moves and get things done."

Chef Shilpa added, "Yes, I have heard about him too. He seems to be a really smart and successful businessman. All the guys of the CBG gang are great businessmen with their own style, but he is the guy I look up to the most when it comes to the CBG gang."

I had remained silent until now, but finally spoke up. "Yes, Abhishek is the sponsor of the show, and he has been really supportive of us. But let's not let that cloud our judgment. We need to evaluate the dishes based on the judging criteria we have discussed." All the Chefs nodded. Rajveer just squeezed my hand and gave me a reassuring smile.

I smiled weakly.

Just then, Abhishek Raizaada walked into the room. "Hello, chefs," he said, smiling at them. "I hope you are all doing well."

I couldn't take my eyes off him. He has always carried himself with poise and confidence, exuding an air of sophistication and elegance. In addition to his impeccable appearance, Abhishek has a magnetic personality that draws people to him. He is warm and friendly, and he has a way of making people feel at ease in his presence. He has always been like that.

ABHISHEK SINGH RAIZAADA

Today was the day, I was visiting the sets of Food Frenzy India. As I stepped onto the set of Food Frenzy India, I overheard the judges Chef Vikram and Chef Shilpa Khanna speaking about me in glowing terms. I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride invoke in me.

Chef Vikram said, "I heard that Abhishek Singh Raizaada is the sponsor for this show. He is a brilliant businessman, and his company has been doing really well. He always knows how to make the right moves and get things done."

Chef Shilpa added, "Yes, I have heard about him too. He seems to be a really smart and successful businessman. All the guys of the CBG gang are great businessmen with their own style, but he is the guy I look up to the most when it comes to the CBG gang."

Dakshita who had remained silent until now, but finally spoke up. "Yes, Abhishek is the sponsor of the show, and he has been really supportive of us. But let's not let that cloud our judgment. We need to evaluate the dishes based on the judging criteria we have discussed." I don't know why I felt a twinge of sadness after hearing her. All the Chefs nodded. Rajveer just gave her a reassuring smile. Dakshita smiled weakly.

I just stepped a little inside to take a look at her face. There was so much pain behind those beautiful eyes I could make out.

Driven. Dakshita has always had a strong sense of purpose and ambition, and she works hard to achieve her goals. She has always had an eye for detail and strives for perfection in everything she does, meticulous is the word. Dakshita is self-assured and has a strong sense of self-belief. I have always admired that about her.

Chef Rajveer, as I know after seeing her social media posts was her best friend and understood her silence, gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. I don't know why my blood boiled when he did that.

I just shook my head and entered inside and said while entering, "Hello, chefs," I said, smiling at them. "I hope you are all doing well."

I shook hands with all of them except Dakshita.

I said, "It's such an honor to hear all praises from the people whom I look up to. Chef Shilpa and Chef Vikram I am a big fan of yours." They both just chuckled.

I turned to Chef Rajveer and stoically and subtly said, "Your passion for food is contagious, and you have a unique ability to create dishes that are not only delicious but also tell a story, I really love that about you Chef Rajveer." I shook hands with me.

Chef Rajveer being his jolly self said, "Why thank you kind sir." Everyone just chuckled including me.

Few minutes ago I wanted to rip his head off for touching Dakshi, I couldn't help but feel warm and fuzzy around him. His personality is like that. No wonder him and Dakshi are good friends.

I now turned towards Dakshi and said, "Well if this isn't one of the members whom the CBG gang is proud have, owner executive/head chef of Le Jardin de l'Étoile, the pride of the Raichand empire."

I missed the times when me and Dakshita had hung out and had a good rapport. I looked over at her, and our eyes met in an intense gaze. We were surrounded by an awkward silence and 2 other judges who were trying to read the situation and understand. Rajveer seems to know I lot more than I think.

"Dakshita," I said, trying to break the awkward silence. "You look stunning as always, uhm...uh...I mean you all do."

Dakshita stood there, tongue-tied, not knowing what to say. Chef Rajveer, who was her best friend and understood her silence, gave her hand a reassuring squeeze.

I continued, "I just wanted to say that I am so proud of you and your success on the show. You're doing an amazing job as a judge."

Dakshita was stunned. I was not one to give compliments easily, and seemed like she could see the genuine praise in my eyes. She looked at Rajveer and he smiled lightly reassuringly at her.

"Thank you, Abhishek," she said, finally finding her voice. "I really appreciate that. And, heart congratulations on your engagement, you and Kashish look great together."

I could sense the coldness in her voice as much I feel angry at her for the past events, I don't know why deep down I felt guilty too but was just not ready to accept. Aaahhh what on earth is wrong with me, Dakshi is horrible remember, she made your love Kashish's high school life hell, just be stoic said my inner voice.

I felt a pang in my heart as Dakshita congratulated me on getting engaged to Kashish. I should be happy, I told myself. After all, I loved Kashish, didn't I?

But as I looked into Dakshita's eyes, I couldn't help but feel a sense of longing. I missed the rapport and the good times we had shared, and I couldn't help but wonder what could have been.

Chef Vikram cleared his throat and said, "Shall we get to business? Let's have our judges - sponsor discussion?"

Dakshita said with a tinge of desperation in her tone, "Yes please lets do chefs."

We discussed everything in detail. Later, I walked away from the sets, I couldn't help but ponder the mixed emotions I felt. Was I really happy with my engagement to Kashish?

WHY AM I FEELING LIKE THIS............??