“Ms. Aarini Singhania, your food has traces of inappropriate chemicals.”

“We have evidence against you, ma’am!” 

“People are dying and you say you’re not at fault? Your restaurants and hotel chains will be taken down.”

She woke up from her slumber, her heart pounding and sweating profusely. She was Aarini Singhania, an excellent chef, and the former owner and CEO of Tasteful Temptations, a haven of luxurious hotels and tasteful food. The hotel chain had been taken down, all because of the ugly incident that occurred right before she was about to launch her set of culinary books. Food had been her soul, and right now she was drowning in a pool of uncertainty. She was lost in her thoughts when the door of her room creaked open and her sister entered the room. She sat down by her side. 

“Are you alright, Rini?”

“I saw that dream again, Gargi! As much as I want to forget it, it haunts me in my sleep. I—I don’t know how it happened. It ruined everything for me,” Aarini said, her tone dejected, as she hugged her sister.

“Rini, please calm down. We will find a way, okay?” Gargi urged for the umpteenth time.

“How? I don’t want any problems for you or Vidit,” Aarini responded, her eyes teary and her tone heavy.

“We are having absolutely no problems, Rini. Now, you please take a step for yourself. It’s high time,” Gargi tried to explain.

“It’s already ruined, Gargi. All that I know is that I’m innocent. I didn’t have anything to do with all the things that happened,” Aarini spoke, her tone firm.

“Aarini, you have to prove your innocence to the world.” It was Vidit, Gargi’s husband.

“But all the evidence.” Aarini began, but Vidit interrupted.

“Yeah, all the evidence is against you, I agree. But if you’re innocent, why should you suffer? We will find a way,” Vidit said.

“He’s right, Rini. It’s been six months. You have to find a way out. Vidit and I are always here for you,” Gargi tried to convince her sister.

Aarini looked at them; these two had been her support and had been prompting her to take a step. As she glanced at them, Vidit kept his hand on her shoulder, giving her the courage she needed, while Gargi held her hands, prompting her to take a step forward. She nodded, her eyes displaying an unwavering determination to find out the real face behind all the mishap.

*****

As Gargi and Vidit left her room, Aarini picked up her phone, and the picture on her wallpaper reminded her of the event that had turned her life upside down. She trailed down memory lane to the Gourmet Food Festival. It was a large-scale event that brought together the best chefs from around the world and showcased their culinary skills. Aarini was fortunate enough to be invited to this food festival and chose to use the platform to launch her books on culinary skills.

However, something unexpected happened when some guests at the food festival started complaining of deteriorating health and had to be rushed to the hospital. Since the festival catered to people's health, all the dishes were tested, and the chefs were kept under observation. Aarini was stunned when she was told that her food was unhygienic; they found some inappropriate food colour additives and pesticides in her dishes that had caused trouble for the people. Despite her efforts to prove her innocence, the judges at the festival and the food inspectors declared her the culprit. All her dishes had affected the people. Moreover, to add to her distress, her restaurants and hotels all over India were closed.

Aarini found herself caught in a maze, estranged by her own thoughts. She was trying to process the situation when she was arrested and put behind bars. However, with the help of her sister and her husband, she got bailed. However, she was uncertain of what to do next. 

*****

She snapped out of the reverie when she felt tears streaming down her eyes. She gazed herself into the mirror.  Her face looked dull, with dark circles around her eyes and a lack of confidence. She couldn’t recognise herself, and that’s when she heard the voice of her conscience. Her conscience told her that she must find her own way and find out her culprits. She sat down on the bed, reminiscing through the past. However, she’s unable to sleep; she switched on the television and a news channel was flashing news about some influential figures.

As she carefully listened to the news, she was shocked to learn that a chef had launched a business with the name “Tasteful Treasures,"  and they’re also launching the book with the name “Culinary Cravings." As she further watched the news, she learnt that this influential figure is her nemesis, Maanya Arora. The very face on the TV screen brought back many memories to Aarini’s mind. 

Aarini and Maanya graduated from BSc. in Culinary Science and Hospitality Management. The latter had always been an envy of the former's culinary skills and the way she handled everything skilfully. Their teachers praised Aarini over Maanya. After graduating, Aarini not only reached the peak of her career, but she also launched hotel chains and became an influential figure in the hospitality industry. 

Even after trying her best, Maanya could not match her life and vibes with that of Aarini. The reason for her anger was that she was ignored in front of Aarini. However, Aarini didn’t do it intentionally; the teachers used to praise her and ignore Maanya. They knew Maanya would only compete with Aarini and won’t learn any skills. Well, back then, Aarini tried to bring Maanya’s skills to light, but no one acknowledged it. Soon after, Aarini opened the first hotel, “Tasteful Temptations,” and soonish, it became a chain all over India. And with this, Maanya’s grudges for Aarini deepened.

Aarini came back out of her reverie. She picked up her phone and searched for Maanya Arora. Her accusations came true as she read about Maanya on the internet and she was also about to launch a new culinary book. Now, her mind is clear with an unwavering resolve to prove herself innocent. 

******

Aarini woke up the next day, her determination resolute. She told Gargi and Vidit about the news and her suspicions regarding Maanya. Vidit offered to help and after some research, she came across the fact that Maanya was responsible for food tampering. She visited Maanya’s office to comfort her.

“Wow! You guys did a great job, really!” Aarini commented, her tone laced with sarcasm.

“Yeah, Maanya did it. Well, how are you?” Tanya asked.

“Yeah, I’m good. Can you call Maanya?” Aarini asked, a smirk tugging on her lips.

“Ah! I’m afraid she can’t meet you right now. She’s busy editing her recipe book,” Tanya said, unaware that Aarini knew everything.

“Yeah, she’s using my work and publishing it under her name. By the way, tell her that she played a good game. But yeah, this fame won’t last long,” Aarini said angrily.

Aarini demanded details about the case, leaving no room for argument. A scared Tanya told her everything about how Maanya planned and executed everything.

“Also, tell her that I will take legal action against her for plagiarising my recipes,” Aarini said, her tone laced with anger.

“Hey Aarini, calm down! You can’t do anything; no one would listen to you. After all, people died eating your recipes; did you forget?” Maanya said, her tone sarcastic.

“Oh yeah, how would I know? I didn’t do the tampering; you did, and you know it.” Aarini said, her tone laced with accusation.

“It was your hard luck, babe! You couldn’t get through it. By the way, the names are nice, aren’t they?” Maanya asked, showing her the names that originally belonged to Aarini.

However, Maanya wanted everything to be perfect, so she picked up the same names, creating a stir in the media as she aimed to take over Tasteful Temptations.

“Yeah, when you get something ready-made, it looks good, Maanya. And yeah, don’t mislead me; I know everything,” Aarini said sharply.

Maanya admitted to the sabotage, revealing how she tampered with Aarini’s dishes and planted evidence in her hotels. Aarini, however, had recorded the confession and played it. 

“Great, you confessed; thanks, Maanya." Aarini said, her tone laced with sarcasm. 

Maanya tried to snatch the evidence but she couldn’t as police entered the office. The police had already recorded her statement and arrested her. The accusations against Aarini were also removed, and she was allowed to resume her work.

Aarini was ecstatic, in a delirious state of mind, as she held the legal papers for her business, “Tasteful Temptations.” She hugged her sister.

“Thank you, Gargi, Vidit! If not for you, I wouldn’t have been able to do this,” Aarini said, her tone laced with emotion.

“It’s your luck. And don’t worry about finances, Aarini. I will help you,” Vidit said, his tone filled with  concern.

“Yes, he’s right. I will help you, and our hotel will gain fame soon. Vidit is a foodie; he will sponsor your book,” Gargi joked.

Vidit glared at his wife, but then they broke into laughter. All of them were excited, hoping that their temptations would soon come to life, granting them peace. 

A/N: The meanings used are as follows:

Delirious: in a state of wild excitement or ecstasy.
Maze: be dazed and confused