I Sell Bottled Water for Gold in Another World!-Chapter 207: Anjali: Master Of Manipulation!

Chapter 207: Chapter 207: Anjali: Master Of Manipulation!

-------------

March 22nd

Last night I messaged Kirti precisely 47 times sharing everything that happened to me throughout the day inquiring extensively about her day and ending with good night wishes accompanied by heart emojis. She didn’t respond for many hours. I started to feel truly concerned what if something awful had occurred to her?!

Ultimately at 2 AM she responded with one word: "Annoying."

I’ve been reflecting on this throughout the morning. What might "annoying" truly signify? Initially I felt upset. Then I understood something crucial shes likely just being tsundere! You know, like in those anime where the girl pretends to be irritated but actually has feelings, for the guy?

"Annoying" could actually indicate that she thinks about me often! Like I’m occupying her thoughts much that she felt the need to reply even at 2 AM! This is truly a POSITIVE sign!

Alex sensed his stomach twist in revulsion. He looked up at his aunt, who gave a nod as if to convey, "Continue reading. It only deteriorates."

-------------

March 23rd

Kirti spent night gaming online with her friends. I messaged her every hour to check if she was fine if she required anything or if she wanted me to bring her some snacks or beverages.

Her response was: "Fool."

Initially I was perplexed. Then it struck me suddenly "Fool" might actually be a loving nickname! Similar to how partners use pet names for one another! Shes referring to me as HER idiot implying she views me as someone close to her!

This is it. This is the breakthrough I have been waiting for!

----------------

March 25th

Kirti blocked me on WhatsApp today. I believe it’s because she feels too shy to confess her emotions. By blocking me she is guarding herself against becoming overly exposed. Honestly that’s quite clever of her.

I bought a new SIM card to message her and explain that I understand her feelings. She blocked that one too within hours. She is really committed to this shy girl act! How cute!

---------------

March 28th

Today I arrived at Kirtis college carrying flowers. I stayed outside her classroom for a two hours. When she exited and noticed me waiting her expression was one of astonishment!

She had a coffee cup clutched in her hands. I believe she became so startled upon spotting me that she unintentionally or intentionally dropped it onto my shirt! All eyes were fixed on us.

I believe the coffee was her method of attempting to "warm my heart" in a sense because she isn’t able to verbally share her feelings yet. She is incredibly considerate and imaginative!

She yelled something and ran away quickly. I could not hear what she said because I was too focused on how beautiful she looked when she was emotional.

----------

April 2nd

I discovered Kirtis residence by trailing her home. Throughout this week I have been sending her presents daily chocolates, blooms, plush toys and handwritten verses. Although she hasn’t responded to any of them but I know she appreciates them. She is probably just too shy to thank me directly.

Yesterday I noticed her toss one of the dolls into the garbage bin. I believe she was worried her roommate might mock her for having an admirer. She is safeguarding our bond!

-----------

April 10th

Today I was finally able to get a job as a security guard at Kirti’s apartment complex! This is perfect! Now I can see her every single day and make sure she is safe from any danger!

When I ran to tell her this amazing news, she actually answered! She said "Why are YOU here?" and hung up immediately. I think "why are you here" means she was surprised and emotional. Maybe she was about to cry happy tears and could not talk properly?

She has not left her apartment in three days now. I think she is just overwhelmed with emotions and needs time to process her feelings for me.

-------------------

Alex closed the diary firmly with a snap. He felt genuinely nauseous.

"This is..." He could not even find the right words to describe what he had just read.

"Terrifying?" his aunt supplied helpfully with a bitter expression. "Delusional? Completely insane?"

"All of the above," Alex said weakly, rubbing his temples. "This goes way beyond a simple crush. This is full-blown stalking behavior."

Riya, who had been reading over his shoulder the entire time, looked genuinely disturbed by what she had witnessed. "That poor girl. She must be absolutely terrified living like this."

"She is already seeing someone " his aunt remarked sharply her voice tinged with irritation. "A good young man, from her university who treats her with kindness. Yet Yash. Remains unaware or utterly indifferent. He has firmly persuaded himself that their fate is to be united regardless of what the truth indicates."

Alex leaned back heavily in his chair, his mind racing through possible solutions.

This was full-blown stalking with clear evidence. He was already surprised that Yash had not gone to prison yet. His cousin needed serious professional help immediately.

But he also knew from experience that directly confronting someone this far gone rarely worked effectively. Yash would just find creative ways to rationalize and ignore anything that contradicted his elaborate fantasy world.

Fight fire with fire, Alex suddenly thought.

If Yash was under the spell of his own delusions, maintained partly by this girl keeping him at arm’s length while still occasionally responding to maintain hope... Maybe the solution was to introduce another element into the equation entirely.

Someone who could play the game even better than his fantasy. Someone who could give Yash exactly what he thought he wanted from Kirti and make him realize how hollow and empty it actually was in reality.

"Auntie," Alex said slowly, choosing his words carefully, "I think I have an idea. But it is... unconventional to say the least."

His aunt leaned forward eagerly, desperate for any solution. "I do not care if it is unconventional. If it can help Yash wake up from this nightmare, I will try absolutely anything."

"I cannot guarantee it will work," Alex warned seriously. "But it might be his best chance at snapping out of this delusion."

"Just tell me what you need. I will do whatever it takes."

Alex stood up decisively, his eyes scanning the café’s interior systematically.

"Give me a minute. I think I just spotted exactly the person we need for this."

Alex’s sharp eyes had caught sight of a familiar figure sitting at a table on the café’s upper level near the railing. Anjali.

Yes, the same girl who had gone on that blind date with him months ago but later insulted him cruelly due to his security guard background, treating him like he was beneath her.

She was leaning casually against the railing, deep in conversation with an ordinary-looking young woman sitting across from her. Both of them kept glancing down repeatedly at a young man sitting alone on the ground floor below, completely absorbed in his phone.

Alex recognized what was happening immediately with his sharp perception.

Anjali was quite the gold digger with a terrible reputation, but she was also someone who understood the psychology of attraction and manipulation at an expert level that few could match.

Normally, Alex would want absolutely nothing to do with someone like her and her schemes. But right now in this specific situation? She might be exactly what he needed to snap Yash out of his delusion.

"Remain here " he instructed his aunt and Riya softly. "I’ll return shortly."

He ascended the stairs cautiously stepping enough to catch Anjalis discussion distinctly as he neared from, behind.

"—you see this is the point where many girls falter " Anjali was explaining to her friend with a tone. "They believe manipulation means always deceiving. That’s not the case. It’s about handling feelings and expectations."

The other woman was taking notes. Actual detailed notes on her phone.

"Look at the guy you picked," Anjali continued smoothly, gesturing subtly toward the man downstairs without being obvious. "He seems honest, a bit naive, probably has decent income. Perfect target for practice."

"Target seems harsh," the woman said uncertainly, looking uncomfortable with the term.

Anjali waved dismissively. "Target, potential partner call it whatever makes you comfortable sleeping at night. The strategy does not change regardless of terminology."

"So what exactly do I do?"

"First rule: make him feel special and unique. When you chat with him, let him talk endlessly about himself. Ask questions constantly. Act fascinated by his boring job and his mediocre hobbies. Make him feel like he is the most interesting person in the world to you."

The woman nodded, scribbling notes quickly.

"Second rule: create opportunities for him to be your hero. Can you actually open that water bottle yourself? Of course you can. But you pretend you cannot. Can you figure out that simple tech problem? Absolutely. But you act helpless and confused. Men have this biological need to help and protect. Use that instinct against them."

"Is that not... dishonest?"

Anjali laughed cynically. "Honey, everyone is dishonest in dating. Women wear makeup and push-up bras to look better. Men exaggerate their salaries and accomplishments constantly. This is just playing the game smarter than everyone else."

Alex had to admit cynical and manipulative as it was, she was not entirely wrong about dating games.

"Third rule," Anjali continued with the confidence of an expert, "and this is absolutely crucial: praise him constantly for everything. Every tiny thing he does gets your brightest smile and sweetest voice. Opened a door? ’Oh my god, you are such a gentleman!’ Paid for coffee? ’You are so generous!’ Sent a good morning text? ’You are so thoughtful!’"

"Does that not seem excessive?"

"That is exactly the point. You are creating an addictive reward cycle in his brain. He does something small, he gets immediate praise. He will start doing more and more things just to get that emotional high from you."

The woman looked increasingly uncomfortable but kept listening carefully.

"Now here is where it gets really interesting," Anjali said, leaning closer conspiratorially. "After about two weeks of this constant praise, you start the money talk. Casually mention you are struggling financially medical bills for a sick parent, car repairs, rent increase, whatever sounds believable based on your situation."

"And then what happens?"

"He will offer money. They always do without fail. That is when you act reluctant and embarrassed. Say ’Oh no, I could not possibly accept that! You are already so kind to me. I do not know how I could ever repay you.’"

"Why refuse the money?"

"You are not refusing it permanently," Anjali explained patiently. "You are making him insist repeatedly. By acting reluctant, you make yourself seem humble and pure. You also trigger his ego men love feeling like generous providers who are needed."

"So then I take the money?"

"Eventually, yes. But only after he has practically begged you to accept it multiple times. At that point, he will feel noble about helping you. He will tell himself he is a good guy doing a good deed. And then..." Anjali smiled wickedly. "You have him saying those magic words."

"What words?" 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

"’I would do anything for you.’ Once a man says that and truly means it, the first stage is complete. You have successfully established yourself as someone he is emotionally and financially invested in."

The woman looked genuinely disturbed. "This seems really manipulative."

"It IS manipulative," Anjali said bluntly without shame. "That is the whole point. Look, I am not saying you have to do this. I am just teaching you how the game works. Knowledge is power."

"Clap. Clap. Clap."

Both women jumped visibly as Alex began applauding slowly from behind them.

"Impressive," Alex said with a slight amused smile. "That was like watching a masterclass in social engineering and manipulation."