The hum of Mumbai's morning traffic filtered through the open windows of Dmart Supermarket as Ananya stood behind the cashier counter, her fingers deftly scanning items with practiced ease. Outside, the Mahindra Thar gleamed under the sun, its sleek black finish drawing a crowd. Mr. Gao, her stout boss with a perpetual frown, emerged from the back office, his eyes widening at the sight. "Is that a rental, Ananya?" he asked, skepticism lacing his voice. Ananya shook her head, a faint smile playing on her lips. "No, Uncle Arjun bought it himself." Gao's jaw dropped, his mind racing. "I might get one too," he muttered, though his wife's likely objections loomed large. The car's presence elevated Arjun's status in Gao's eyes, sparking a mix of admiration and envy.
Moments later, Rohan Malhotra pulled up in his BMW X5, stepping out in a mismatched outfit—a formal blazer over jeans—aiming to impress Ananya with a mature vibe. He approached with a confident grin, but Ananya's tactful response cut through his effort. "Nice style, Rohan, but maybe try a suit next time," she said politely, her focus returning to her work. Rohan mistook her courtesy for encouragement, lingering near the counter, oblivious to her disinterest. Ananya, however, remained undeterred, her work ethic shining as she ignored Gao's fixation on the Thar and Rohan's hovering, her professionalism a quiet shield against the distractions.
Meanwhile, across town, Arjun's phone buzzed with a friend request from Smita Nair. Her accompanying message read: "Arjun Sir, I'm sorry for the hospital outburst. I was wrong—can we start over?" Her desperation was palpable, a regretful shift after clashing with him over his wealth. At 36, single and anxious, she feared missing her chance with a man of his stature. She turned to her aunt, Ms. Desai, for help. Over a crackling phone call, Ms. Desai hesitated. "You turned down every suitor I found before," she scolded. "Arjun's life has improved post-divorce—he's unlikely to consider you now." Smita's hope dimmed, her aunt's reluctance a bitter pill.
Smita's jealousy flared as she stewed over Shalini's closeness to Arjun. Suspecting a romance, she compared her stagnant life to Shalini's youth, her insecurity gnawing at her. Back at their shared apartment, chaos erupted when movers entered, their heavy footsteps startling Smita. "Who are you?" she shrieked, mistaking them for intruders. Shalini, overseeing the move, clarified, "They're here for my things—I'm relocating." The revelation hit Smita hard, her mind racing with suspicion.
On the phone later, Shalini dodged the truth. "I'm staying with my aunt," she lied, omitting the Andheri Phase II apartment Arjun had provided, eager to avoid Smita's wrath and protect their bond. Smita's voice rose, sharp with accusation. "You're dating Arjun, aren't you? You stole my chance with him!" Her envy and desperation poured out, a raw edge to her words. Shalini's patience snapped. "You insulted him, Smita. He won't forgive that. Stop this—I'm done with your games." The retort severed their fraying tie, leaving Shalini resolute as she hung up, her loyalty to Arjun unshaken.