Chapter 2: Daylight Temptation
The rooftop garden was a shock of green against the city’s relentless grey. Sunlight, filtered through the canopy of potted ficus trees and climbing jasmine, dappled the worn wooden benches and terracotta tiles. The air hung thick and sweet, heavy with the perfume of blooming roses and the drowsy hum of bees. Priya sat poised on a bench, sunlight catching the gold threads in her cream-colored kurta, her dark hair pulled back in a loose knot. Anya, perched beside her, swung her legs restlessly, clutching a sweating glass of lemonade.
Rohan emerged from the stairwell door, blinking against the sudden brightness. He’d worn a clean blue polo shirt, hoping it struck the right note between casual and respectful. Seeing Priya in the dappled light, serene and elegant, sent a familiar jolt through him. Then Anya’s sharp eyes locked onto him.
"Hey," Rohan offered, forcing a casual smile.
"Hey," Anya echoed, her tone instantly suspicious. "Mom said you work with computers?" She took a loud slurp of lemonade, her gaze unwavering.
Priya shot him an apologetic glance that held a flicker of amusement. "Anya, manners. Rohan, lemonade?" She gestured to a pitcher sweating condensation onto a small wrought-iron table.
"Yeah, thanks." He poured himself a glass, the tart sweetness welcome in the warm air. He sat on the bench opposite them, the space between feeling charged despite Anya’s presence.
"So," Anya pressed, ignoring her mother’s subtle headshake. "What kind of computers? Like hacking? Or just boring spreadsheets?"
Rohan chuckled, relaxing slightly under the blunt interrogation. "Mostly boring spreadsheets right now. But hopefully,