chapter 4

The next day, Aarti stepped onto her balcony, chai in hand as usual, and glanced at the adjoining balcony. Kabir was already there, crouched next to a row of potted herbs, humming some upbeat Bollywood tune as he watered them.  His balcony looked like a miniature jungle—lush, colorful, and alive. Pothos vines trailed down from hanging baskets, bright marigolds added a splash of orange, and his herb corner was a mix of mint, basil, and coriander. It was the kind of green oasis Aarti had been imagining for her own space.  "Wow," she called out, leaning on the railing. "Your balcony looks like a nursery."  Kabir looked up, startled for a moment, then flashed his signature grin. "Good morning to you too. Nursery, huh? I’ll take that as a compliment."  "It is," Aarti replied, gesturing toward the pots. "I’m impressed. How do you keep all of this alive? Do you have a secret mantra for the plants or something?"  Kabir laughed, setting down his watering can. "No mantra. Just a lot of trial and error… mostly error at first. You should’ve seen my basil when I started. Poor thing didn’t stand a chance."  Aarti chuckled. "Well, whatever you’re doing now, it’s clearly working. My balcony, on the other hand…" She glanced at the empty space around her. "It’s practically begging for help."  Kabir tilted his head, surveying her balcony with mock seriousness. "Yeah, your balcony does look a little… neglected. But don’t worry, it has potential. A little greenery, maybe some hanging lights, and you’re good to go."  "That’s what I was thinking," Aarti said, nodding. "But I have no idea where to start. I mean, I can design buildings, but apparently, setting up a garden is way out of my league."  "Hey, you’re talking to the right guy," Kabir said, pointing at himself. "I’ve spent years perfecting my green thumb. I can help you get started."  "Really?" Aarti asked, raising an eyebrow. "You’re offering to help me? What’s the catch?"  Kabir grinned. "No catch. I just like seeing people fall in love with plants. Plus, it gives me an excuse to drag you to the nursery."  Aarti smirked. "Drag me to the nursery? That’s a bit dramatic."  "You’ll see," Kabir said, leaning against the railing. "Nurseries can be overwhelming if you don’t know what you’re looking for. One minute you’re picking out a cute pothos, and the next you’re drowning in succulents you don’t need."  Aarti laughed. "Alright, plant expert. If you’re so good at this, tell me—what kind of plants should I start with?"  Kabir tapped his chin thoughtfully. "Low-maintenance, for sure. You don’t strike me as the type to water plants every day."  "Is that your polite way of saying I look lazy?" Aarti shot back, narrowing her eyes.  "Not lazy," Kabir corrected with a grin. "Just… busy. You’ve got architect vibes. Always running between deadlines, right?"  She rolled her eyes but couldn’t help smiling. "Fine, you’re not wrong. So, low-maintenance it is. What else?"  "Some hardy greens like snake plants or peace lilies," Kabir said. "Maybe a pothos or two for the hanging baskets. Oh, and herbs—you can’t go wrong with mint and basil. They’re useful in the kitchen, and they smell amazing."  Aarti’s face lit up. "I like the sound of that. Fresh mint for chai would be nice."  "Exactly," Kabir said, nodding. "And they’re easy to grow. Even if you forget to water them occasionally, they’ll forgive you."  "Good to know," Aarti said, sipping her chai. "So, when do we start?"  Kabir grinned. "How about tomorrow? There’s a nursery not too far from here. We can pick out everything you need."  "Tomorrow works," Aarti said, setting her cup down. "But I hope you’re ready to guide me through this whole process. I’m counting on your expertise."  "Don’t worry," Kabir said, giving her a mock salute. "You’re in good hands. By the time we’re done, your balcony will rival mine."  "That’s a big promise," Aarti said, smirking. "You’d better deliver."  "Challenge accepted," Kabir said with a wink.  As he turned back to his plants, Aarti leaned against the railing, watching him work. There was an ease to Kabir’s movements, a quiet passion in the way he cared for his garden. It was almost contagious.  For the first time in weeks, she felt a flicker of excitement—not just for the plants but for the unexpected friendship blooming between her and her neighbor.  On the other side of the balcony, Kabir caught her watching and grinned. "Don’t worry, Aarti. By the end of this, you’ll be a plant person too."  "Let’s not get ahead of ourselves," she called back, laughing. "Let’s see if I can keep one plant alive first."  And with that, the two neighbors found themselves bound not just by the railing that separated their balconies, but by a shared project that promised to bring them closer.. To be continue...