Eventually she approached personal territory.
Carefully.
Respectfully.
"Your father and mother come from very different worlds."
He waited.
No scandal question followed.
No trap.
Instead:
"How did their perspectives shape your relationship with cooking and success?"
The room became quiet.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
He answered honestly.
"My father taught me power."
He paused.
"My mother taught me precision."
Another pause.
"One taught me how to enter rooms."
The final sentence came more quietly.
"The other taught me how to deserve being there."
Alankrita nodded softly.
No follow-up attack.
No attempt to dig deeper.
Simply understanding.
Then she moved back to food.
The interview remained safe.
Professional.
Respectful.
Something he had almost forgotten interviews could be.