Chapter 2: The First Task
Aanya dragged herself onto the deserted shore, her body trembling with exhaustion. Saltwater dripped from her hair and clothes, soaking the thin prison-issued fabric that still clung to her. Her lungs heaved as she coughed violently, spitting out seawater mixed with blood.
She lay there for a moment, staring at the cloudy Mumbai sky. The world felt unreal — her uncle had left her to die. Yet she was alive.
[Ding!]
Emergency Revival Complete.
Vital Signs: Stabilized.
System Integration: 12%.
Welcome, Host Aanya Malhotra.
You have been bound to the Goddess Wifey System.
Her brows knitted weakly. What… what are you? Some hallucination from dying?
Answer: Negative. I am a unique life-support and growth system. Host's selection criteria met: Betrayal, Despair, and Will to Rise.
First Task Generated.
Task: Survive 7 days in Mumbai with no money, no identity, and no outside help.
Reward: Business Strategy +10, Charisma +5.
Penalty for Failure: System Termination. Host Death.
Aanya's breath hitched. "Survive? I don't even… I don't even have shoes."
[Note: Excuses reduce efficiency. Host must act.]
Despite the chill of the sea breeze, a faint spark lit in her eyes. She had been helpless for five long years. This system — whatever it was — was offering her a chance.
She sat up slowly, scanning the coastline. Fishing boats in the distance, a cluster of buildings inland. Her body ached, but she forced her legs to move.
Each step was agony, but the thought of Rajiv smirking over her corpse fueled her.
By the time she reached the city, the sun had dipped lower, staining the sky orange. Her stomach growled in protest. She hadn't eaten in almost two days.
She clutched her thin shawl tighter, ignoring the curious glances of strangers.
A CEO reduced to this… begging, perhaps?
The thought burned, humiliation threatening to choke her.
[Ding!]
Hint: Host must swallow pride. Success is born from ashes, not comfort.
She grit her teeth. Fine. Then I'll rise from ashes.
At a busy street corner, the aroma of freshly baked bread made her dizzy. She lingered outside a bakery, staring through the glass. A young woman behind the counter noticed her and frowned.
"Madam? Are you alright?"
Aanya forced a smile, shaking her head. "Just… looking."
But her legs wobbled, and before she knew it, her vision blurred. She stumbled forward.
Strong arms caught her just as she was about to hit the pavement.
"Careful."
The voice was calm, deep. She blinked up, dazed, and saw a man in a crisp waiter's uniform from the nearby 5-star hotel. His dark eyes studied her with quiet concern.
"I—I'm fine," she stammered, embarrassed.
"You don't look fine." He guided her to a bench outside the bakery. Without asking, he bought a loaf of bread and handed it to her.
Her pride screamed to refuse, but her stomach betrayed her, growling loud enough for both to hear. Heat rose to her cheeks as she accepted it.
"Thank you," she whispered, tearing a piece and eating hungrily.
He watched silently, not with pity, but with a quiet intensity that unsettled her. Most men she had met looked at her with greed or calculation. This one… seemed different.
"Name?" he asked after a while.
She hesitated. If she revealed her real name, she risked Rajiv finding her before she was ready.
"…Aanya," she said softly, omitting her surname.
He nodded. "Arjun."
Their eyes met for a moment — hers wary, his unreadable.
[Ding!]
System Alert: Candidate Detected.
Compatibility Scan… 65%.
Potential Spouse Candidate Identified: Arjun Rathore.
Further observation required.
Aanya froze inwardly. Him?
Arjun tilted his head slightly. "Why are you trembling?"
She forced a small laugh. "It's just… been a long day."
He didn't press. Instead, he asked, "Do you have somewhere to stay?"
Her lips parted, then closed. She had nothing. Not a home, not a friend, not even an ID card.
"No," she admitted quietly.
Arjun leaned back, his expression calm. "This city isn't kind to the unprepared. Be careful."
He stood, adjusting his uniform as someone from the hotel called his name. Before leaving, he handed her a small paper bag with another piece of bread tucked inside.
"Eat slowly," he said, then walked away.
Aanya clutched the bag tightly, her heart conflicted.
He was a stranger. But something about him… felt safe.
[Ding!]
Optional Subtask Generated: Gain Candidate's Trust.
Reward: Analytical Thinking +5.
Her pulse quickened. So the system… wants me to be close to him?
For the first time since her release, Aanya felt the faintest flicker of hope. Maybe survival wasn't impossible after all.
But deep inside, she knew Rajiv wouldn't stay idle once he realized she was alive.
She had seven days. Seven days to prove she could survive.
And perhaps… to find out who Arjun really was.