The Bandra apartment buzzed with the hum of central air conditioning, its cool air a welcome reprieve from Mumbai's sticky October heat, as the morning sun filtered through spotless windows, casting a glow on Ananya Desai's meticulously tidied living room. Arjun Sharma was out on an Ola shift, his 76-kilogram frame navigating the city's chaotic streets, leaving Priya Sharma and Ananya to host Rohan Malhotra, who arrived at their doorstep for the first time, driven by his growing interest in Ananya. Dressed to impress in a crisp T-shirt, pants, and polished Metro Shoes, Rohan's affluent background—his father Sanjay, a senior executive at a Mumbai-based automotive firm—shone through his confident stride. He saw Ananya's rural, impoverished roots as a chance to offer support, his classmate's charm drawing him despite their contrasting worlds.
Ananya, her sleek hair tied back in a simple ponytail, opened the door, her modest kurti a stark contrast to Rohan's polished look. "Hi, Rohan... welcome," she said, her voice soft and polite, a shy smile breaking through her nervousness. Priya, lounging on the couch in a bold mini-dress and a low-cut top that turned heads, swept in, her presence commanding. "Rohan, you made it!" she chirped, her tone flirtatious as she tossed her hair, her iPhone 16 Pro tucked into her hand. "Come on, sit. Let's have some fun." Rohan, momentarily dazzled by Priya's boldness, nodded, his eyes flickering to Ananya, who busied herself adjusting cushions. "Nice place," he said, glancing at the dated but well-equipped apartment—central AC, a sleek TV, and a stocked kitchen. "How does your dad afford all this, Priya? I thought he was... you know, between jobs."
Priya smirked, tossing a cushion at him playfully. "Dad's got his ways, Rohan. Don't worry about it. Want to play some games?" She pulled out a deck of cards and a Bluetooth speaker, blasting Bollywood pop, her movements deliberate as she brushed against Rohan's arm while dealing cards. Ananya, sitting cross-legged on the floor, joined reluctantly, her focus split between the game and her financial worries about college. "I'm not great at cards," she admitted, her voice barely audible over the music. Priya laughed, leaning closer to Rohan. "Don't worry, Ananya, I'll teach you. Right, Rohan?" Her hand lingered on his shoulder, her flirtation blatant, exploiting his attraction to keep him engaged.
Rohan, caught between Priya's boldness and Ananya's reserved charm, tried to include her. "Ananya, you're doing fine. Just follow my lead," he said, his smile warm as he slid a card her way. Ananya nodded, her fingers fumbling, her thoughts on her mother's absence and dwindling funds. The game heated up, Priya's laughter ringing out as she won a round, her competitive edge shining. "Told you I'm the queen of rummy," she teased, nudging Rohan's knee, her eyes gleaming. Rohan, distracted but drawn to Ananya's quiet grace, asked, "Ananya, you're at NMIMS, right? Accounting? That's intense." Ananya blushed, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Yeah, it's a lot, but I need something stable," she said softly. Priya, sensing the shift, interjected, "Oh, come on, Rohan, let's not bore her with school talk. Another round?"
The mood shifted as Ananya excused herself to prepare lunch, prioritizing her responsibilities. She returned with a platter of spicy chicken tikka, a Mumbai twist on a dish Rohan brought from a local eatery, its fiery aroma filling the room. "I hope you like it spicy," she said, serving Rohan first, her gentle demeanor earning a grin. "This is amazing, Ananya," he said, savoring a bite. Priya, munching tikka, smirked. "Not bad, but I could've made it spicier," she quipped, her tone competitive, reveling in her ability to outshine Ananya's understated charm. Ananya, unfazed, ate delicately, her thoughts on her looming college expenses.
As they ate, Rohan leaned toward Ananya, his tone earnest. "You know, my dad's got connections at his company. I could ask about an internship for you, maybe something in accounts," he offered, eager to help. Priya's smile tightened, a flicker of jealousy crossing her face. "Let's not rush, Rohan. Dad's got ideas for Ananya's job hunt—right, Ananya?" she said, deflecting his focus. Ananya nodded hesitantly. "I'll talk to uncle later, but thank you, Rohan," she said, her politeness masking her unease. Rohan, kicking himself for not pushing further, felt a pang of regret, the complex interplay of attraction and competition swirling around the table.
Priya, sensing her hold, turned up the music, pulling Rohan into a playful dance in the living room. "Come on, show us your moves!" she teased, her mini-dress swirling as she spun, her confidence magnetic. Rohan laughed, joining in, but his eyes drifted to Ananya, who watched from the sidelines, stacking plates. "Join us, Ananya!" he called, but she shook her head, smiling shyly. "I'm not much of a dancer," she said, retreating to the kitchen. Priya, catching his glance, upped her charm, looping an arm around his. "She's shy, Rohan. Stick with me—I'm more fun," she whispered, her flirtation bold. The system, unknown to all, pinged silently on Arjun's phone, parked during his Ola break: "Mission Progress: Ananya's favorability steady at 13%. Continue building trust." The stage was set for tension, with Priya's schemes and Rohan's interest risking Arjun's rules, as Mumbai's vibrant pulse hummed outside.