5. Low hanging fruits

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### Chapter 4: A Generous Offer

It was a warm, quiet afternoon in Rahat Colony when Norja decided to pay a visit to Karan's family. She had spent the morning preparing a special dish—her famous biryani, fragrant with spices and rich with flavor. She had heard from Kapila that Karan loved biryani, and it seemed like the perfect gesture of neighborly kindness.

Carrying the dish carefully, Norja walked over to Karan's flat, feeling a mix of satisfaction and slight nervousness. She wore a deep-neck top, the fabric soft against her skin. It was a warm day, and she had chosen not to wear a bra, preferring the comfort of the loose fabric that flowed around her.

When she reached Karan's door, she knocked gently, and it was his mother who answered. Mrs. Singh greeted her warmly, the familiar scent of their home—a mix of incense and freshly brewed tea—wafting out into the hallway.

"Namaste, Norja-ji," Mrs. Singh said with a smile. "How nice of you to visit!"

"Namaste," Norja replied, returning the smile as she handed over the dish. "I made some biryani today and thought I'd bring some over for you. Kapila mentioned that Karan likes it very much."

Mrs. Singh's eyes lit up at the sight of the dish. "How thoughtful! Karan will be so pleased. He does love a good biryani."

Norja stepped inside, accepting Mrs. Singh's invitation to sit for a while. As they chatted, exchanging the usual pleasantries about family and life in Rahat Colony, Mrs. Singh mentioned something that caught Norja's attention.

"We're going on a business trip next week," Mrs. Singh said, her tone shifting slightly. "It's an important one, and unfortunately, Karan will have to stay back here alone."

Norja's mind immediately went to Karan. She knew what it was like to be alone in the flat, especially with Kapila growing more independent each day. An idea formed in her mind, a solution that seemed both practical and kind.

"If it's okay with you," Norja offered, her voice gentle, "Karan could stay with us while you're away. It might be better than him being alone here."

Mrs. Singh's eyes softened with appreciation. "That's very generous of you, Norja-ji. It would put my mind at ease knowing he's with your family. Thank you."

Norja smiled, feeling pleased that her offer had been accepted. As they continued their conversation, the atmosphere was light, filled with the warmth of shared understanding. But then, as they spoke about everyday things—recipes, neighborhood gossip, and the coming monsoon—something unexpected happened.

Norja's phone, which had been resting on her lap, suddenly slipped from her grasp. Without thinking, she bent down quickly to pick it up, unaware of the view she was unintentionally offering. Karan, who had been sitting quietly opposite them, noticed the phone fall and couldn't help but look up as Norja bent forward.

In that brief moment, his gaze was drawn to the deep neckline of her top, where the fabric parted slightly as she reached for the phone

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In that brief moment, his gaze was drawn to the deep neckline of her top, where the fabric parted slightly as she reached for the phone. From his angle, he caught a glimpse of her, the soft curves exposed as the top hung down, revealing more than she had intended. The sight made his breath catch, a flush of heat spreading through him as he quickly tried to look away, but not before Norja caught his gaze.

When Norja straightened up, phone in hand, her eyes met Karan's, and she immediately saw the flicker of something in his expression—an embarrassment, mixed with something else, something unspoken. She realized then what had happened, what he had seen. Her heart skipped a beat, a mix of emotions flashing across her face—surprise, embarrassment, and a strange, unsettling awareness.

For a moment, the room seemed to hold its breath, the conversation between the two women halting as Norja processed what had just occurred. Karan looked down at the floor, his cheeks slightly flushed, trying to hide his discomfort. Mrs. Singh, oblivious to the silent exchange, continued talking, her voice filling the room as if nothing had happened.

Norja felt a warmth rise in her cheeks, but she quickly composed herself, offering Karan a small, understanding smile, one that conveyed both an apology and a quiet acknowledgment of the awkwardness. She adjusted her top subtly, ensuring everything was in place, and refocused on the conversation with Mrs. Singh.

As the visit drew to a close, Norja stood up to leave, exchanging final pleasantries with Mrs. Singh, who was still thanking her for the biryani and the offer to take care of Karan. Karan, now recovered from the earlier moment, offered to walk Norja to the door.

As they reached the doorway, Norja paused, turning to him with a soft, almost maternal smile. "Don't worry about what happened," she said quietly, her voice calm and reassuring. "It was just an accident. I'm glad you'll be staying with us. We'll take good care of you."

Karan nodded, his eyes meeting hers briefly before he looked away again. "Thank you, Norja-aunty. I appreciate it."

With that, Norja left, walking back to her flat with a mixture of thoughts swirling in her mind. The brief, unintended moment between her and Karan had left her feeling unsettled, but she pushed the feelings aside, focusing instead on the days ahead and the responsibility of having him stay with them.

As she entered her own home, Norja couldn't help but glance back at Karan's door, a quiet sigh escaping her lips. She would have to navigate the coming days carefully, balancing her roles as a mother, a neighbor, and a woman, all while keeping in mind the delicate dynamics that had begun to unfold.

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