Later that evening, the aroma of moong dal khichdi, bhindi masala, and aloo baingan lingered in Arjun Sharma's Bandra apartment, mixing with the faint hum of traffic filtering through the open window. Plates clinked as Ananya Desai, her hair still damp from a shower, cleared the dinner table with practiced ease. The living room was a cozy mess—Priya Sharma's textbooks strewn on the couch, a half-empty bag of D-Mart chocolates spilling onto the coffee table. A sharp knock interrupted the quiet, and Arjun opened the door to find Sister Geeta, their talkative neighbor, her dupatta fluttering as she peered inside, eyes gleaming with curiosity. "Arjun ji, what's this delicious smell?" she said, her voice booming. Her gaze landed on Ananya, and her eyebrows shot up. "And who's this lovely girl?"
Arjun, wiping his hands on a kitchen towel, smiled tightly, sensing Geeta's nosiness kicking in. "Ananya, Priya's NMIMS classmate. She's staying with us temporarily—some family troubles back home." Ananya, balancing a stack of plates, offered a shy nod, her cheeks flushing under Geeta's scrutiny. She set down a plate of gourmet biscuits from their D-Mart haul, the roasted cashews and chocolates a testament to Arjun's generosity. "Have some, Geeta aunty," Ananya said softly, her voice barely rising above the clatter of dishes.
Geeta, grabbing a biscuit, crunched loudly, her eyes darting to Priya, who lounged on the sofa, her bandaged leg propped up, scrolling her phone with a smirk. "Ananya's so sensible, Arjun ji, unlike some," Geeta said, nodding toward Priya, who didn't look up but rolled her eyes. My goodness, Arjun ji, you're spending like a king post-divorce!" Arjun chuckled, deflecting the jab. "Just treating the girls, Geeta aunty. Nothing fancy." Inside, he bristled at Priya's disengagement, her empty chocolate wrappers littering the table while Ananya worked.
Geeta, undeterred, gestured for Arjun to follow her to the balcony, where Bandra's evening breeze carried the distant honks of rickshaws and the scent of street-side chai. Leaning in, her tone turned conspiratorial. "Arjun ji, tell me, how was that blind date with my niece, Smita Nair? I was sure you two hit it off!" Arjun's jaw tightened, a flash of their disastrous coffee meetup at a Bandra café crossing his mind—Smita's sharp critique of his "basic" Maruti 800 and her demand for a "better match" still stung. "It didn't work out, Geeta aunty," he said politely, sidestepping details. "She's nice, but the age gap's too wide, and I'm focused on Priya right now." Geeta sighed, her bangles clinking as she waved a hand. "Nonsense! You're responsible, Arjun ji—good money, family man. Perfect husband material!" Arjun shook his head, his voice firm but kind. "I'm content, Geeta aunty. Ananya's presence adds a homely touch, and that's plenty for now." He glanced inside, where Ananya wiped the table, her quiet diligence a stark contrast to Priya's indifference.
Back in the living room, Priya's voice cut through the chatter, sharp and sudden. "Ananya needs a summer job, Geeta aunty. College tuition, living expenses—she's too shy to ask Dad directly." She didn't look up from her phone, her tone laced with irritation. Ananya froze, her hands clutching a rag, her face flushing with embarrassment. Arjun's eyes narrowed at Priya's bluntness, sensing her envy from earlier, when Ananya's effort had outshone her idleness. Geeta's eyes lit up, her matchmaking instincts shifting to problem-solving. "Oh, a job? Tutoring kids in Bandra could fetch ₹10,000–₹15,000 a month. Or a café job—same range. There's factory work, too, maybe ₹15,000–₹20,000, but those are rough places." Arjun frowned, his protective side flaring. "No factories, Geeta aunty. Not safe for her." Turning to Ananya, he softened, his voice steady. "Don't worry about tuition, Ananya. I'll cover it if you need." Ananya's eyes widened, a mix of relief and gratitude washing over her. "Sharma ji, I… thank you," she whispered, her voice thick. The system buzzed silently, noting her favorability ticking up 5% to 26%, her sense of security bolstered by his support.
Ananya, touched by Arjun's care, sat with him to finish the last of the khichdi, her movements deliberate as she savored the meal. Priya, still glued to her phone, ignored the dinner, her fingers tapping out messages, her entitlement glaring against Ananya's quiet gratitude. Geeta, grabbing another biscuit, watched the scene, nodding approvingly at Ananya. "You've got a gem here, Arjun ji," she said, her voice warm but tinged with envy for their harmony. "Don't let her go to some factory." Arjun smiled, his resolve firm. "She's staying right here, Geeta aunty." As Geeta left, her chatter echoing down the hall, Ananya's quiet presence and Bandra's lively energy anchored Arjun's commitment to keeping his household balanced, even as Priya's disengagement gnawed at him.
Attribute Panel:
Height: 185 cm (+)
Physical Age: 42 (-)
Wealth: ₹31,01,390
Strength: 72 (+)
Spirit: 64 (+)
Props: Knowledge Scroll=7, Electrolyte Drink=8, Protein Shake=2
Daily Tasks: Nutritious breakfast, gym check-in, Ola rides, Efficient reading
Ananya's Favorability: 26% (+5%)