The Sari Shop Widow. Shobhan Bantwal

and didn’t seem particularly concerned with the price of the items. It too went into the bag. Extending a hand to Anjali and then to Rishi, she said, “Thanks, you guys. I think your store is beautiful. With the expansion you mentioned, I think it’ll be fabulous.”

      Rishi nodded. “Thanks. I hope you’ll recommend us to your friends?”

      The young lady threw him a dimpled smile. “If everything goes perfectly, we’ll definitely recommend you to others.”

      “Fair enough,” Rishi said, returning her smile.

      Both Rishi and Anjali watched Roopa Singh walk out of the store, put on her sunglasses, and get behind the wheel of her car.

      Rishi turned to Anjali. “You handled that beautifully. Jolly good work.”

      “Just doing my job,” she murmured and strode to the front door. After making sure it was locked, she hurried directly back to the office in silence.

      He saw the look of total defeat in her eyes, as if her world was coming apart and she was rapidly falling through the fissure.

      Was he totally wrong in his calculations? In the end, would he end up hurting this woman instead of helping her and her family like he was supposed to?