Just a quick post.
I'd made the point before that the all
contestants perhaps wouldn't have been this rude had it not been for DC's own putting the idea of
himself and Meenakshi into their heads.
And once that achieved its purpose, he slowly but surely started showing them the "cracks" and "distance" in DC's and Meenakshi's "relationship."
He started first by telling her he's given forgiven her and given her one last chance.
Then Meenakshi, the completely naive Meenakshi, questioned DC about Sameer. To her, she's just asking based on her different dynamic with DC. But to the others, they see another reason for her to be so bold. He then cuts her down by making it clear he does what he wants, and doesn't need her permission or approval.
This was the start of the "cracks" beginning to form in the eyes of the other contestants.
Then came his strict warning about not seeing Sameer. By this time the contestants themselves are pretty sure that DC-Meenakshi "kahani" has come to an end.
And now comes the Akshat-Meenakshi angle. This won't remove the previous rumour from their minds as DC told Roshni. They will just think Meenakshi has moved on to someone else. If DC throws in Alan into the mix...