[Steel]

The next day, Madhuri woke up with shame warring in her chest.

Downstairs, Abhi shuffled into the kitchen, oblivious to her turmoil. "Maa, I'm heading over to Ishaan's for a group project. He umm.. He also asked for your paneer curry yesterday. Can you make it for us?" he said shyly, avoiding her eyes.

Madhuri forced a smile, smoothing her hair. "Ishaan? Oh your classmate? Sure sweetie, you go get ready." She'd met him once, tall, charming, too confident and built for a boy his age. His greetings lingered in her ears, his gaze too bold as she brushed it off. 

Across town, Ishaan smirked at his phone. She'd blocked him, It was cute as he'd expected it. He had a dozen more plans brewing. The game was on, and Madhuri didn't even know she'd already lost the opening move.

Abhi showered, packed his bags and stood in the kitchen, the faint aroma of garlic and ginger wafting from the stove as Madhuri stirred a pot of paneer curry. 

The morning light filtered through the window, catching the edges of her cream-colored nightie, outlining her curves in a way that made Abhi's throat tighten.

He didn't understand why he noticed her bare back, thick hips shifting as she moved, the way her hair fell off her hair bun as she tried to wipe off sweat on her forehead. 

She was his mom, his safe harbor, the one who once sang sweet lullabies to him. But Ishaan's words from yesterday gnawed at him like a splinter he couldn't pull out.

"Here, Abhi, ask your friend how it is," Madhuri said, her voice warm as she spooned the spicy curry into a steel container. 

She glanced at him, her brown eyes soft but sharp, catching his fidgeting hands. "What? You're so quiet today."

Abhi ducked his head, clutching the edge of the counter. "Nothing, maa. I'll be back." He hated lying to her, but how could he say it? Those taunts on his dad kept replaying in his head, making him see her differently.

Madhuri clicked her tongue, setting the spoon down. "Study properly, okay? No daydreaming with that boy," She ruffled his hair and Abhi's chest ached with a mix of comfort and guilt.

He nodded, forcing a smile, but his eyes lingered as she turned back to the stove. The nightie clung to her lower back, hinting at the swell of her ass, and he jerked his gaze away. He didn't know what was wrong with him.