Second Chance: A Dark Tale of Urban India-Chapter 97: Arya’s Rare Side

A few moments earlier,

Arya had just ended an urgent call from the office. Even though Rohit had confidently claimed he could fix the server isue within an hour, but her experience told her otherwise.

She quickly looped in her team for remote work-from-home support and even scheduled quick video interviews for two backup candidates, just in case he failed.

She glanced at the time. 7:30 PM. The banquet was scheduled for 9:00 PM, so there was still room to breathe.

She checked herself in the mirror, and smiled, then recalled Rohit. ’Let’s check on that loser and see if he’s as good as he claims.’

The villa was quiet now. Everyone else had already left for the venue. Only the maids remained downstairs and Rohit was still holed up in his room.

Perfect opportunity to tease him a bit while checking his progress.

She gave her reflection one last approving glance and stepped out.

But when she reached Rohit’s open door, the sight stopped her cold.

He wasn’t alone.

Two girls were wrapped around him in a tight, emotional hug, completely out of nowhere.

Arya’s first instinct was to yell. But she swallowed it. After the humiliating Chanu’s misunderstanding incident earlier, she wasn’t about to explode again without facts. Better to face it head-on.

She called out in Hindi "Should I close the door and come back later... or are we done with the emotional reunion?"

Rohit, Seo-yeon, and Namrata instantly turned around and paled.

Rohit threw up his good hand. "Wait.. I can explain."

Arya folded her hands, allowing him to speak.

The explanation came fast. They were Rohit’s friends.

The one with bigger busts and local-looking girl was Namrata. Arya instantly marked her out because her bust size was outstanding and even bigger than hers. She had a simple face yet threatening figure.

The other one who had a slim waist, East Asian features, looked poised and pretty, was Seo-yeon, and daughter of a korean diplomat.

That single piece of information flipped Arya’s entire demeanor. ’Diplomatic connections are gold.’

She even switched to flawless English with gracious smile.

"Ohhh... so you’re Rohit’s school friends? I had no idea my little brother was friends with such pretty faces." She tilted her head with a playful smile. "For a second I thought he was taking advantage of you girls."

Both Seo-yeon and Namrata exhaled in relief. Sure, their earlier position was a little questionable, but at least her elder sister was understanding and reasonable.

She mellowed down instantly and also invited them to the party. They backed down citing timing and dress.

She waved it off. "Please, don’t be like this. As guests of the Singhanias, it wouldn’t look right if you left early like this. Feel free to borrow anything from my wardrobe. I promise by midnight you’ll be dropped safely back home." She pressed her palms together lightly. "As your big sis, please give me some face."

Rohit couldn’t hide the smug smile tugging at his lips. Arya saying "please"? Using polite gestures? ’Once-in-a-lifetime sight.’

He got the hint she changed her attitude knowing Seo-yeon’s background and wholeheartedly supported the change.

"Well... I think you should listen to her. I’d feel a lot better with you two there."

That one statement sealed it. Since, they wanted to support Rohit, so they agreed.

Arya turned to Rohit. "And the server? Fixed?"

He shrugged. "Need more time. Still working on it."

Her eyes narrowed to slits. "Tomorrow morning. No excuses." She shot him one last cold stare, then turned to the girls with a bright smile. "Come on girls, let’s find you something stunning."

She swept Seo-yeon and Namrata off toward her room.

The door had barely closed when Rohit’s phone buzzed.

Akansha.

"Hi... guess where I am right now."

Rohit replied irritated, "Under someone?"

That sure made her annoyed a little as the line became silent. Then she switched to video.

Rohit saw the screen. The scene looked familiar—no, it was familiar. Their resort. She turned around and he saw Ragini in her usual beautiful saree style and Raj Singhania in another suit accepting guests as reception.

He immediately frowned. "Why are you there?"

Akansha flipped to selfie mode. She looked stunning in a luxury kaftan suit, waving with mock innocence. "Obviously because I was invited."

Rohit asked, "Jayesh there?"

She pouted playfully. "Is that really what you have to say? No hi, no hello? I thought we were partners."

Rohit’s voice dropped, hard. "Listen, I don’t have the fucking time. You do exactly as I say and I swear I’ll compensate you."

Her smirk widened. "And that’s exactly what I wanted to hear."

She angled the camera again. Jayesh stood chatting with Tanuj; Vijay lingered nearby sipping whisky. There were also other familiar faces who were Tanuj’s friends and they were chatting around.

Akansha switched back to selfie. "Looks like you’re in for trouble. That guy sure gives me the creeps..."

Rohit nodded. Her hate for her step son was not hidden from him.

"Yes, you’re right... Do you see anything peculiar? Anything that might be used against me there?"

Akansha thought for a while. "I don’t think it will be a big deal. There sure are some media professionals but more than humiliating you for coming single and getting alone.. I can’t think of any further messes. But tell me, is it true that Bhirlas are investing millions of dollars?"

Rohit chuckled low. "You will figure out..."

He was about to cut but she called him again. "Hey, you forgot my compensation."

Rohit’s smile was sharp. "Like I’m bound to..." She frowned. He continued smoothly. "Okay. Tell me what you want. You were helpful."

"I want you to humiliate him." She bit her lip, voice turning sultry. "And second... you can guess."

Rohit smiled. "Sure I would, but first do me another favor. I need to track Jayesh’s location first. so I will send you a link on your device. You share it to his mobile and accept it."

Akansha instantly denied but it took only a few more persuasion statements and she agreed. And so the call disconnected with him sending the virus link.

Rohit called out to Lisa by plugging his Bluetooth bud as he checked on his laptop. "Lisa, you heard what she said, right?"

His personal AI responded back. [Yes sir. It seems they are planning to socially humiliate you with their numbers and make it appear that your value is overhyped.]

Rohit laughed.

"So childish, indeed... On the surface that’s what it looks like. But you have no idea.. that snake must have a second plan. If my memories are right.. he must be planning big."

[Sir, you want me to do something?]

"Yes, time to send some new invitations. Let my rivals feel the heat. I want more players on the board."

After sorting out the details he looked into his suite but before wearing it he realised they were all wearing traditional. Then muttered to himself, "So traditional it is."

***

Twenty-five minutes later , in Arya’s room

Seo-yeon stood in front of the tall mirror, fumbling with the pleats of a deep maroon saree.

Every time she tried to tuck the pallu properly, the fabric slipped or bunched up in the wrong place. She let out a frustrated little sigh and turned to Arya with wide, apologetic eyes.

"I’m sorry, unnie... I never knew wearing a saree would be this hard."

Arya bit the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing. She stepped closer, hands on her hips.

"Honestly? If you want my personal opinion — that’s exactly why I, Arya, avoid them whenever I can." She gestured toward the open wardrobe. "You can still switch to one of the gowns or one-pieces in there. They’re all luxury designs, and they’ll look stunning on your... current body."

Seo-yeon’s gaze lingered on the half-draped party saree she was wearing. She pouted softly.

"But they’re so pretty..."

Before Arya could reply, a sweet, slightly panicked voice came from the other side of the room.

"Arya di... do you have another blouse piece?"

Namrata stood facing the other mirror fixed in wardrobe, struggling to hook a lehenga blouse. The fabric strained across her chest as it was clearly not designed for her generous bust size. She tugged once more, her cheeks pink with effort.

Arya murmured in Hindi, "Sure, someone suffering from success."

Seo-yeon replied in the same tone, "Sahi baat."(true words)

They looked at each other and burst into giggles.

Arya teased, "You know Hindi?"

Seo-yeon shrugged cutely, averting her gaze with a shy smile. "Little-little..."

Meanwhile, Namrata spun around, suddenly alarmed. "Wait... why are you laughing? Is something wrong with it?"

Without thinking, she unhooked the entire blouse in one go; letting it fall open, revealing her bra and the full swell of her breasts trapped beneath. She held the garment upside down, inspecting it like it had personally betrayed her.

Both Arya and Seo-yeon’s jaws opened and their throats dried. But Arya quickly composed herself, addressed her by making her sit politely on the bed. "First don’t call me ’di’. I don’t like that word. Besides.. You should call me Arya. We are age alike."

Then she went to the wardrobe and took out a red lehenga set. "It’s one from my elder sis. I once stole it from her as it was her favorite. See if it works..."

Hearing the backstory, everyone burst out laughing. Sibling war is everyone’s favorite.

Just then a knock came at the door.

"Hey sis... should I come in?"

Arya told him to wait. She cracked the door open just enough.

"What...?"

Her word died in her throat.

In front of her Rohit stood poised in a blue colored sherwani kurta suit. The fine tune in shoulders made him appear more broad chested, dashing and annoyingly handsome.

Rohit caught her stare and chuckled, one eyebrow raised in smug satisfaction.

"How am I?"

Arya huffed. "Passable..." Then she looked at his bandaged hand, no sling. "Where is your sling?"

Rohit shrugged lightly. "I thought it wouldn’t suit the style. Besides, a little movement I can handle."

Arya gave him an annoyed look then sighed. "Suit yourself." Then she asked straight, probing, "What do you want?"

Rohit gave her the mobile. "I solved it. The server issue..."

"What?" Arya came out, leaving the door. Her expression was unbelievable as she checked the log files showing passed and other complete PDFs.

In the meantime Rohit got to get a glimpse of peeking inside. Seo-yeon was still in lingerie trying to wear one dress from behind while Namrata was trying to fit in the new blouse, which appeared too tight so she tried to open her bra.

Rohit raised his eyebrows with eager anticipation to finally get a glimpse of .. , but Arya came in between and called out, "Hey, mister. Eyes here..."

Rohit’s gaze dropped, straight to her cleavage. She snapped her fingers sharply.

"Little up."

As their eyes met she lightly smacked his head. "I will check the code. If it works then fine... otherwise."

"By the way, when are we leaving?" He tried to peek a little from the cracks of the door. But Arya closed it shut and folded her hands.

"Girls take time."

Rohit shrugged. "So how long should I wait."

Arya turned him around by the shoulders and pushed him gently toward the corridor.

"No need to wait for us. You can leave now. The announcement will need your presence."

She stood there until he disappeared down the hall, then slipped back inside and closed the door.

She caught her reflection in the mirror. ’Bastard sure looks good in traditional... Should I too try?’

Without another word, she started changing..

Seo-yeon looked up, worried. "What happened ?"

Arya pulled out one of her favorite sarees from the wardrobe. "I changed my mind. I realized I should show you how it’s done by wearing one myself. Otherwise we’ll be even later."