A Choco-rella Story

BEFORE THE PARTY

'You nincompoops, ungrateful, good for nothing, idiots,' screamed the stepmom - Kamini. She raged, her nostrils flaring, 'the birthday party is in a few hours. The Prince will select his bride at midnight, and you both haven't started baking our speciality dessert - Chocolate Cakes. What will happen to this household if I wasn't around!' Kamini glared at the Cook and Arya, her step-daughter, who knew better than to respond with anything except downcast, pitiful looks.

Kamini threw her hands up in the air and turned around to bump into Sweety, her daughter, the same age as Arya. 'What are you doing in the kitchen? We agreed to drink liquids for three days so that you can fit into today's dress. Remember eating does not make you look beautiful.' And just so you know - Sweety was so thin that she could have passed as a starvation camp resident. Sweety slunk back from the kitchen to her room.

The party that had everybody worked up was the annual birthday bash for the Prince of the kingdom. And this year's celebration was unique as this was his twenty-second birthday when he would select his to-be bride as the custom demanded. For Arya, this was a bittersweet occasion. It was a great honour that her dad was allowed to host it, but he died last year from a heart attack. This event made her lonely and unhappy. He was a highly-revered baker and chef - famous for his culinary skills across the seven kingdoms. She and Cook, her only friend and ally in this hostile household which was once her home - continued with their batter preparation.

THE GERM OF AN IDEA

Cook and Arya stared at the sleeveless cream knee-length gown with embroidery on top. Cook said, 'this is a gift from your mom - she made it for you in anticipation of this day.' Arya touched the gown, trying to recall a loving mom who died when she was a toddler. Her dad had married Kamini, hoping for a loving mom and not a wicked witch who would torture his daughter. Cook's theory was that her father's heart could not bear her pain and decided to give in. Her father was a gentle and a kind man - who never raised his voice.

Arya looked in the mirror and could not believe what she was seeing. An elegant beautiful woman replaced the scullery maid. She thanked the Cook for standing up to Kamini and threatening her with a kitchen strike unless Arya was allowed to attend the party. Kamini had no choice - she needed a chef like a cook if the party had to be successful.

Cook took out a small jar with white powder and said, 'this is senna powder, a powerful laxative. I will sprinkle this on the devil duo's chocolate cake slices so that they cannot attend this party. I have to do this to avenge your father's untimely death.'

Arya tried to grab the jar, but the Cook put it behind her back. Arya said, 'Where did you get this from? I know Sweety uses this to induce vomiting and diarrhoea as her mom does not let her eat, you know. Sometimes I worry about her what this is doing to her as a person.' She shook her head to dismiss those thoughts and looked the Cook in the eye and said, 'You know in your heart that this is not what Dad wanted. He always said to be kind to others. Sow as your reap, remember.' Cook gave a dry smile and said, 'Like father, like daughter - now run along and enjoy the party.'

As Arya walked to the ballroom, Cook fingered the jar with an evil glint in her eyes.

MISTAKEN POWDER IDENTITIES

Cook finished cutting the last of the cakes into slices. She took two plates and kept them aside to sprinkle them with the senna powder. Just as the Cook was about to sprinkle the powder, Sweety collided with her. Sweety had finally found what she was looking for earlier this morning. They both slid back along the trays filled with slices of chocolate and landed on the floor with a loud thump.

Sweety got up and muttered to herself, 'Another spoonful of Senna will help me fit into my dress.' And she ran off, leaving the Cook on the floor. Cook stood up to see the servers walking to serve the guests dessert. And as the trays went past her, Cook saw sugar like -white powder sprinkled liberally on all cake slices except the last two on the shelf, which a server picked up for the Prince and his favourite companion.

Cook gave an internal scream and slid along the countertop with her head in her hands. What had she done - she had ruined the party and with that chances for Arya to be the princess. Arya was right, 'Sow what you reap.'

DESSERT TIME

Arya was having a wonderful time at the party. For once in a long time, she wanted to enjoy herself and forget all her worries. She ignored the Prince with the gaggle of women around him and immersed herself in savouring the party and remembering her dad. So, she was surprised when Prince sought her out. And to her surprise, he was not some blonde bimbo but was very down to earth - she appreciated the conversation with him. The server came and handed them their slices of chocolate cake. Servers were giving guests the desserts from trays. She explained to Prince how the cakes were made when Kamini came in and thrust Sweety between them with a fake smile. Arya backed away to make space. Sweety grabbed a slice of cake from the passing tray as soon as Kamini had turned her back.

POST DESSERT TIME

Arya and Prince were the only people standing in the entire party. The rest of the guests, including Sweety, Kamini, King and the Queen, were clutching their stomachs or throats in various stages of distress and pain. There was a long line in front of the loos and makeshift toilets. Arya walked to a tray and connected the dots when she saw the white powder on top of the slices. Prince asked her what she was looking at? Arya apologetically explained that the white powder on top is not sugar (As her dad always used honey and dates), but Senna a powerful laxative, and it is her fault that the party is in such a state. She explained to him what her Cook had planned and why on their way to the kitchen.

They reached the kitchen to find the Cook sitting on the floor with a blank look and the jar in her hand. Prince took it from her, opened it and shook it, but nothing came out. And then, he realized that the seal is unbroken, so it could not have been this jar. And he looked around and spotted another similar jar shook it, and the senna powder spilled on his palm. Cook recognized that as the jar that Sweety had in her hand - it must have fallen out of her pocket or something. Arya explained that her step-sister had an eating disorder.

Arya helped the Cook get up and asked her to bring all the honey and lemon out so that they can make a concoction to soothe the guest's stomachs. Prince joined in with them. Cook took this as an opportunity to let the Prince know, under Arya disapproving gaze, of how Kamini treated Arya. Arya said that you could not hold this against Kamini as she wanted the best for her daughter.

HAPPILY EVER AFTER

Through Arya's brilliant concoction, some normalcy had been returned to the party. Prince, King and queen were conferring in the kitchen. As soon as they came out, Kamini blamed Arya and the Cook, stating it was all their fault. Cook tried to speak up, but Arya held her back.

Queen silenced Kamini with a raised palm and stated Prince had informed them of what happened, and they have a few announcements to make. Firstly, Kamini and Sweety will go to an eating disorder camp - there was a gasp of shock and relief from them, respectively. Secondly, all kingdoms will have courses in school to dispel the myth of a perfect body and have education around eating.

And then she looked at the Prince, pulled him to her side and said, my dear boy had made his selection - the one who has won all our hearts, and she is none other than Arya - loyal and kind as her father.

The entire hall burst out clapping except Kamini. Cook wiped away tears in happiness as the happy couple united, ready to live happily ever after.