Fantasy An innocent couples

[Masalatruth]

Chapter 5: The Art of Social Survival
The apartment complex had organized a group outing to a high-end entertainment zone. Dilip joined his neighbors, Hari and Priya, in their car, but as the skyline shifted from familiar streets to a posh, gleaming district, his grip on the door handle tightened. This was a world of glass, neon, and effortless luxury—a world entirely alien to his humble village roots.
While the others jumped into the games with easy laughter, Dilip felt like a ghost. When it came time to order food, the menu was a minefield. Hot dogs, gourmet sandwiches, artisanal milkshakes—he didn't know what they tasted like, let alone how to order them without sounding like he had just stepped off a bus from the rural hinterlands. He retreated to a quiet corner, trying to shrink into the upholstery.
Priya, ever observant, walked over with a kind smile.
"Hey, Dilip! Still playing the shy guy?" she teased gently.
Dilip looked up, his face tight with anxiety. "It’s not just shyness, Priya. I’ve never been to places like this. I feel... out of place. Like everyone can see I don't belong."
"I get it," Priya replied, sitting across from him. "But you’ll never belong if you don’t try. It’s just a skill, like anything else."
"I worry about Ramya," Dilip admitted, his voice dropping. "If I feel this small, how will she manage? She has a very traditional, rural mindset. She’d be terrified to even speak in this group."
"But you both chose this life, didn't you? To settle here?" Priya tilted her head. "We’re a community. We support each other. You aren't alone in this."
Dilip nodded slowly. "We’ve talked about it. We want to improve, to take small steps."
"That’s the spirit!" Priya cheered. "Now, start small. Have some pizza and a drink. Don’t worry about the 'right' way to eat it. Just enjoy."
As Dilip took a bite, tears pricked his eyes. The kindness felt heavier than the insecurity.
"Make sure you help Ramya feel comfortable before she joins us," Priya added, patting his shoulder. "She’ll need you to be her bridge to this world."
Dilip watched his friends laugh. He found himself mentally converting every dollar spent into INR, his mind reeling at the cost, but he suppressed the urge to panic. He wanted this life. He wanted this community. He resolved right then to transform himself—and to lead Ramya through that same transformation.
Back at the College: Lessons in Power
Meanwhile, Ramya was having a different kind of struggle. She sat with her friend Shiny, looking defeated.
"Shiny, I tried to act bold like you, but it didn't work at all," Ramya sighed.
"What happened?" Shiny asked, leaning back.
"I asked Rammu, the worker at my apartment, to pick up a courier for me. I tried to be firm, but he didn't even look at me! He just said he was too busy, even though he does favors for everyone else."
Shiny rolled her eyes. "That’s because you requested him. You have to show authority, Ramya. They need to feel that serving you is a privilege."
"But I'm not his boss," Ramya protested.
"Watch," Shiny whispered. She spotted a student named Mani walking nearby. As he approached, Shiny leaned forward slightly, adjusting her posture to ensure her cleavage is visible. "Hey, Mani? I need these photocopies from the library. Get them for me, okay?"
Mani blushed, tripping over his words. "Sure, Shiny! Absolutely. I’ll bring them to you right away."
As he scurried off, Shiny turned back to a stunned Ramya. "See? I didn't beg. I didn't even know him well. But I made him feel like I was rewarding him with my attention."
"But if I did that, he'd just tell me to do it myself," Ramya argued.
"That’s the secret," Shiny said, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Drop the 'shy girl' act. When I leaned in, he was too flustered to say no. Use your confidence as a tool. If you act like a queen, they’ll treat you like one."
The Pact
That night, over a video call, Dilip and Ramya shared their vulnerabilities.
"I felt so insecure today, Ramya," Dilip confessed. "We have to change. We have to adapt to this culture if we’re going to survive here."
"I feel it too," Ramya agreed. "The city is so different from home."
"Let’s make a pact," Dilip suggested. "Small steps every day. You need to start dressing more modernly and speaking to men with more boldness. Start with the people you know—like Ramu or Raj at the apartment."
He paused, thinking of the lifestyle in the West. "Eventually, you’ll even have to be okay with things like swimsuits and socializing at pool parties. It’s common here."
Ramya gasped. "A bikini? Dilip, I could never!"
"Maybe not yet," Dilip said. "But let’s update each other daily on our progress. We need to be bold."
The Training Ground
Ramya decided her first mission was to command respect from Raj, the younger, trendier maintenance worker who came by every morning to check the water tanks.
Day 1: Normally, Ramya wore a shawl over her nighty when stepping out. Today, she ditched the shawl. When she saw Raj, she took a deep breath, channeling Shiny’s confidence.
"Hello!" she called out.
"Yes, madam?" Raj replied, stopping in his tracks.
The word 'madam' gave her a surge of power. "Could you bring the milk from the ground floor box every morning? It would save me the trip down."
"Sure, madam," he said quickly. Ramya beamed. Mission accomplished.
Day 2: Success was short-lived. Raj walked right past her to the tank, empty-handed.
"Did you forget the milk, Raj?" she asked, her heart sinking.
"Sorry, madam. Forgot. You pick it up today, I’ll get it tomorrow," he said casually.
Ramya felt a sting of failure. Shiny wouldn't have been ignored, she thought. I need to be more 'captivating'.
Day 3: Ramya decided to up the stakes. She finished her bath early and put on a kurti—but without the leggings or the shawl. The hem ended at her knees, exposing her legs, and the neckline was slightly lower than her usual modest attire.
As Raj approached, she stood on the balcony drying her hair.
"Hi, madam. You're ready early today," Raj said, his eyes lingering on her for a second longer than usual.
"Yes, I have a special class," Ramya replied. She noticed him glance down at her legs, and she felt a strange spark of thrill.
"Madam, I forgot the milk again..." Raj started, sounding guilty.
"It's okay," Ramya said smoothly, mimicking Shiny's movements. She leaned forward slightly over the railing. "I'll go get it myself."
The shift in her posture worked instantly. Raj’s eyes widened, and he suddenly looked very eager to please. "No, no, madam! You stay here. I’ll go get it right now!" He practically ran down the stairs.
Ramya watched him go, a triumphant smile on her face. She went to her mirror and checked her reflection. Nothing was really visible, she thought, but the hint of it was enough to make him run.
Later that day, she told Shiny about her victory.
"Good improvement," Shiny remarked. "Just remember: keep them under your control. Don't let the attention go to their heads."
"I will," Ramya promised. She was beginning to realize that "boldness" wasn't just about clothes—it was about the power of being seen.