The repair shop smelled like burnt circuits and dust.
Aarav stepped inside cautiously.
Screens stacked on shelves.
Phones in various states of disassembly.
A man looked up from behind the counter.
Late 30s. Sharp eyes. Grease-stained fingers.
"Kaam?"
"I'm looking to buy damaged phones," Aarav said.
The man studied him for a moment.
Then smirked slightly.
"Repair karna aata hai?"
Aarav shook his head.
"Not yet."
A pause.
"Phir kyun?"
Aarav held his gaze.
"Profit ke liye."
That earned a short laugh.
"Honest hai," the man muttered.
HUMAN BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS: TRUST BUILDING OPPORTUNITY
Aarav leaned slightly forward.
"Partner karte hain."
The man's expression shifted.
"Kaise?"
"You repair. I bring volume. Profit split."
Silence.
Evaluation.
Then—
"What's your volume?"
Aarav didn't answer immediately.
"Growing," he said instead.
That was enough.
The man nodded once.
"Try karte hain."
Deal made.
Not formal.
Not written.
But real.