Anupama's POV:-
I am really glad that Uncle Gabriel and Marco have accepted Advira with open arms and showering her with lots of love. Till now there are a very handful of people who have taken an interest in my daughter but now I can see that there are so many people who adore her. What I have noticed till now is that Uncle Gabriel and Marco are like family to Mr. Bianchi so it's really important for them to accept us, especially my little Advira who is getting the love which she had not gotten in the past.
I am so busy in my thoughts that when I get to take out the food from the microwave, the bowl containing the food slip from my glove cover right hand. While trying to save the food I hurriedly touch the bowl with my left hand before keeping the bowl on the nearby counter, some of the food spill on my hand. As I am not wearing any glove on my left hand, it starts to burn and swell. However, I am sure that someone has pushed me from behind and that's why the accident happened. I look around but can not find anyone although I hear the clicking of heels as if someone is running away quickly.
Without wasting any moment I get near the sink and start the tap before putting my hand under the cold water. My palm has turned red due to the burn. I hear Melody along with some maids are coming near the kitchen so I take a few dry tissue papers before drying my hand carefully. I hiss when the tissue paper touches the burnt part but I take a deep breath to calm myself down.
"Anupama I have set the table. Are you done with heating up the foods?" Mama Melody asks coming into the kitchen.
"Yes, and they are completely ready to be served," I reply while putting a smile on my face not wanting her to find anything about my hand.
"Okay, then you go and get the guys. I will put the food on the table. Also, they are in the Gameroom so please go there." I nod my head in reply before hiding my hand with my saree and get out of there.
When I get in the Gameroom, I see that Mr. Bianchi and Marco is busy playing billiards while Uncle Gabriel is listening to the nonstop blabbering of Avira. However, none of them notice my presence.
"Today I will finally beat you in this game, Alessandro." Marco comments. Mr. Bianchi just smirk at him before rubbing the top part of the long stick in his hands.
He bends down before hitting the nearby ball on the table with the stick. After making a few turns the ball fall in the pocket around the table making Marco groan in annoyance. I take this as my clue to get their attention. I get near Uncle Gabriel before informing him that the dinner is ready. He smiles in return and tell me that they will be there in a few minutes.
After 5 minutes they come to the dining area and take their seats. The maids start to bring the foods and Mama Melody serves them. When I try to help her she scolds me saying that I should take some rest as I am working nonstop since morning. I smile at her caring nature and get to sit down, but Uncle Gabriel tells me to sit beside Mr. Bianchi. I gulp in anticipation but still take a seat beside Mr. Bianchi.
"The Chicken Parm is so delicious. You have magic in your hand Mama." Marco comments after taking a bite of the Italian chicken dish.
"This time the magic has done by Anupama. She is the one who has made all the foods." Mama Melody answers making everyone looking at me with wonder eyes. I look down feeling shy as I am not used to getting so much attention.
"You know how to make Italian dishes?" Mr. Bianchi asks me curiously.
"This is the first time I have made any Italian food." I reply without looking at him.
"If you have made all these foods for the first time then I have to say you are extremely talented, dear. Melody is the best cook I have ever seen so far but I can easily say that you have outdone her in cooking." Uncle Gabriel compliments.
"I ummm..." I don't know what to reply because it's getting overwhelming hearing so many compliments for my cooking. Back in Kolkata, only a few people used to compliment me but Thakurmaa's and Pishimaa's rude comments always made those comments fade away.
"The Spaghetti is truly flavorful." Mr. Bianchi says besides me. I look at him to see that he has a proud look on his face. I have made Chicken Parm, Spaghetti and Meatballs, Pasta e Fagioli, Tuscan Butter Shrimp. After the dinner, Mama Melody tells the maid to bring the dessert in which Marco starts to cheer like a little kid.
"I know my Mama will definitely make her famous Tiramisu cheesecake. Come on give me the first slice." Marco holds a small plate in front of Mama Melody who shakes her while laughing before putting a big slice of cake on the plate. We all get our slices after him and It is such an amazing dessert so I need to learn this from her.
Around 11 PM Uncle Gabriel and Marco bid us goodbye. Mama Melody asks them to stay the night but they inform us that they have works tomorrow so they will stay another time. When the door closes I get to take Advira in my arms but she whines and clutch Mr. Bianchi's shirt tightly who kisses her forehead. He tells me that he will take her to his room to sleep. I don't argue with him because I know he will be able to take care of her so I nod in reply.
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I am constantly tossing and turning on the bed not able to sleep because of the burning pain in my hand. During the dinner, I have hidden my hand with my saree but now I am unable to control the pain anymore. I look at the clock to see that it's already 3 AM meaning everyone is sleeping in their room. So I get up from my bed and make my way to the door. I lightly open the door before getting outside of the room. When I don't see anyone I move towards the kitchen and after getting there I take out ice cubes from the refrigerator. I take one ice cube in my right hand before trying put it on the burnt place but the pain is so horrible that I am not able to control my tears. My hands start to tremble because of the pain it's getting tough to put the ice cube on the burnt area.
Suddenly, someone take the ice cube from my hand. I get frightened but relaxed after realizing who it is by seeing the Phoenix tattoo on the hand. I look up to see that Mr. Bianchi is looking at the burnt area with an angry expression so it's scared me thinking that he may have gotten angry with me. But to my surprise, he starts to put the ice cube on the burnt area gently. After a few minutes, he takes out a tube of ointment from the pocket of his sweatpants and starts to apply that on my hand.
"Before you ask anything about this ointment, I would like to tell you that you are not a very good pretender, at least not in front of me because I have already seen your burnt hand at the time of dinner. I wanted to make sure you are okay so I was going to your room when I saw you going downstairs so I follow you and find you in the kitchen." He answers before I can ask anything. I look down in shame because I have ruined his sleep.
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