Mishthi had just turned 19 and was determined to improve her swimming before the university inter-college competition. Her parents had enrolled her in intensive private coaching with Aryan Sir, a 42-year-old former national-level swimmer who ran exclusive evening sessions at a quiet, semi-private pool on the city outskirts. The facility was luxurious but isolated—tall walls, shaded palm trees, and usually empty after 7 PM. Aryan was tall, broad-shouldered, with a deep tan and a confident smile that made parents trust him instantly. Mishthi found him professional and a bit strict at first, but she was eager to learn.

The first few sessions were standard. Mishthi wore a modest one-piece swimsuit, dark blue and sporty. Aryan stood at the edge in his shorts, demonstrating strokes with powerful, controlled movements.