Morning sunlight slipped through the cracks in Arahan's wooden window, painting soft golden streaks across the floor. The rooster's cry echoed faintly across Varnapur, mixed with the distant clang of a steel pot being rinsed.
He sat up, rubbed his eyes, and stretched slowly. Today felt... full of promise.
Slipping on his sandals, Arahan stepped out of his room into the small open courtyard that lay between the house and the outer gate. The air was fresh, cool with dew, and smelled faintly of soap and early tea.
There, near the hand pump, was Bushra, sweeping the tiled floor with quick strokes of a broom. Her dupatta was tied around her waist, and a few loose strands of her hair clung to her cheek from the morning effort.
She looked up for a second, giving a small nod as acknowledgment, then returned to her task.
Just then—
[Ding!]
[New Task Generated]
Help Bushra with her morning chores. Be kind, and offer without being asked.
Reward: ₹100 | +0.2 Intelligence | +1 Relationship (Bushra)
Note: Small acts of care build stronger bridges.
Arahan smiled faintly.
He walked forward and reached for the spare broom leaning by the wall.
"Let me handle the sweeping, Bushra. You've been at it since dawn."
She blinked, looking at him a little surprised, but didn't argue. "Alright… just don't miss the corners. They always gather the worst dust."
Together, they swept in silence—the calm kind, broken only by birdsong and the rhythmic scrape of straw against stone. It wasn't much, but it felt grounding.
[Task Completed!]
+₹100 (System Wallet: ₹11200 → ₹11300)
+0.1 Intelligence (5.7 → 5.8)
Bushra Relationship +1 → 2/100 (Neutral → Slight Curiosity)
Once they finished, Bushra offered him a half-smile and a nod of thanks before heading back into the house. Arahan wiped his brow, already feeling the day shifting forward with momentum.
---
The mid-morning sun had begun to warm the earthen paths. A light breeze stirred the neem trees, and the smell of fried poha wafted from a nearby street stall.
Arahan walked toward the ration shop—one of the busiest corners of the village bazaar.
Kavita's shop was modest in size but tightly packed, everything from mustard oil and soap to rice bags and coconut shampoo stacked. There was always a queue of housewives or old uncles arguing about prices—but today, the shop was quiet. No one was here.
Inside, Kavita was perched behind the wooden counter, counting loose change into a metal box. Her sleeves were rolled up, exposing her toned forearms, and her thick braid swung over one shoulder. She looked up when Arahan entered—eyebrows arching ever so slightly.
"Well, well," she said, her voice wry. "Didn't expect you to come here."
Arahan chuckled. "Why?"
"Because you have already gots the monthly necessities." Kavita replied.
"Yeah, I know, but today I came here for hair oil, Shampoo. And maybe… a new soap. Something with sandalwood."
She tilted her head. "You're suddenly concerned about your smell? Who's the lucky girl?"
"Maybe it's me," he shot back, leaning on the counter. "Maybe I just want to smell good for my own mood."
Kavita rolled her eyes—but she was smiling. "Fine. One bottle of mustard oil, coconut shampoo, and a sandalwood soap bar." She grabbed the items expertly, sliding them across the counter. "That'll be ₹210."
Arahan handed over the cash, fingers brushing hers, he now mostly time heels and rub her fingers.
"Anything else?" she asked, voice quieter now.
He glanced around. Then leaned a little closer.
"You got any perfume? Not the local ones. Something that lasts."
Her expression shifted slightly. Not a smile… but not indifference either.
She reached beneath the counter and pulled out a small vial. "This one's from the city. My cousin sent it."
Arahan took it, uncorked it gently. The scent was rich—earthy, masculine, sharp.
"I'll take it," he said. "What's the price?"
Kavita didn't answer right away. She just met his eyes, then said quietly, "₹90. But only if you say it smells good on me too."
He blinked, but didn't break eye contact. Stepped around the counter—just slightly—and held the vial to her neck.
He dabbed a tiny drop just under her ear, then leaned in to smell it.
[Ding!]
[New Task Generated]
Compliment Kavita boldly on her natural scent while testing perfume.
Reward: ₹200 | +2 Relationship | +0.2 Agility
Note: Her defenses are low when it feels natural. Keep it smooth, not cheesy.
The drop of perfume glistened just beneath Kavita's ear, and for a long second, Arahan lingered close—his breath grazing her skin.
"It smells," he whispered, "dangerous."
Kavita didn't move. Her body was still, but her eyes—sharp, always measuring—now had a flicker of something softer behind them. A twitch of her lips betrayed amusement... but also intrigue.
"You always talk like that?" she murmured. "Or just when you're leaning close enough to count my freckles?"
Arahan smiled, voice low. "Only when I'm standing next to a woman who smells like temptation."
She scoffed lightly—but didn't pull back. Her hand casually rested on the edge of the counter, dangerously close to his.
"You know," she said, glancing at him sideways, "most men in this village get nervous around me. Strong girl, independent, ration shop owner. They stutter. Or avoid eye contact."
Arahan raised an eyebrow. "Maybe they were looking at the price board. I was looking at you."
That made her go still again. Then—just slightly—she shifted her hips, subtly closing the distance between them. The scent between them was heady now—perfume, spice, and the hint of heat rising off her skin.
Her voice lowered. "Don't think I haven't noticed. The way you talk to me… It's not like the others."
"I don't talk to you," he said. "I flirt with you."
She laughed quietly—and this time, it was real. Less teasing. More surprised.
"And what happens if I flirt back, Arahan?"
He reached out then—gently tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. His fingers barely touched her cheek, but the softness of the contact made her breath hitch. Her eyes flicked down to his lips—just for a second.
"Then," he said, voice rich, "I might start thinking about what your hair smells like when it's down… or how you'd look without that apron… or how you'd sound if I whispered something worse in your ear."
Kavita's pupils dilated. Her throat shifted as she swallowed.
Then—she leaned forward, so close that her forehead nearly brushed his. Her breath mingled with his.
"You're playing a dangerous game, Teacher's Assistant," she whispered. "And dangerous games... make me curious."
[Task Completed!]
Compliment Kavita boldly on her natural scent while testing perfume.
+₹200 (System Wallet: ₹11300 → ₹11500)
+0.2 Agility (4.9 → 5.1)
Kavita Relationship +2 → 11/100 (Stirred Interest)
"I want to see how curious you become," Arahan replied back, while caressing her cheek.
Kavita hadn't stepped away. Neither had Arahan.
"Do you have anything simple here that could be given as a gift?" he asked. "Something that'd make a girl smile."
Kavita raised an eyebrow. "You buying gifts for schoolgirls now, or is this about one of your mystery ladies?"
While caressing her cheek, his hand goes to her neck, and he replied, "Maybe it's for someone who sells vegetables and other basic necessities. Makes sarcastic remarks but smells dangerously good."
Her lips twitched—holding back a smile. "Hmm. I might have something. I got a few small boxes of perfumed bangles, city-made, tucked in the upper rack. Not part of public display stock."
She turned, eyes trailing upward to a narrow wooden ledge that ran above the counter—just out of easy reach.
"Wait here," she said, standing on her toes.
Her fingers brushed the edge of the box—but not far enough. She gave a frustrated sigh.
Arahan watched her body stretch upward—saree tightening across her back, braid swaying.
[Ding!]
[New Task Generated]
Lift Kavita gently by the waist so she can reach the gift box.
Reward: ₹400 | +4 Relationship | +0.4 Agility
Note: The timing is perfect. Make it smooth, confident… and don't let go too fast.
Without speaking, Arahan stepped behind her and placed his hands firmly—gently—around her waist.
She froze for a second. But didn't react more.
Then, slowly, he lifted her upward, her back pressing against his chest. Her breath caught—half gasp, half laugh.
"You're bold today," she whispered.
"I will become bolder," Arahan replied at her, his mouth close to her ear.
Her fingers gripped the box, and for a moment, she didn't signal to be let down. She just stayed there—suspended between wooden shelves and skin contact, her heartbeat drumming fast.
Finally, with the gift in hand, she exhaled. "Okay… okay, I've got it."
He lowered her slowly, hands lingering an extra second before releasing.
Kavita didn't look at him right away. She turned and placed the box on the counter.
"These are glass bangles, lilac-scented," she said, voice quieter than before. "They're... delicate."
"Just like you," he murmured.
This time, she didn't deny it.
[Task Completed!]
Lift Kavita gently by the waist so she can reach the gift box.
+₹400 (System Wallet: ₹11500 → ₹11600)
+0.4 Agility (5.1→ 5.5)
Kavita Relationship +4 → 15/100 (Playful Spark)