As Sister Geeta left Arjun Sharma's Bandra apartment, her dupatta trailing, she dialed Smita Nair, her voice buzzing with gossip. "Smita, that blind date with Arjun Sharma—why didn't it work?" she asked, unaware Arjun was the "Sharma ji" Shalini Patel had praised for his kindness. "He was boring, Geeta aunty," Smita snapped, her tone sharp. "Drove a rusty Maruti 800, acted stingy. Not my type." Geeta sighed, disappointed. "He's got money, Smita. Don't be so quick to judge."
At their Pali Hill apartment, Shalini sat cross-legged on the couch, sharing D-Mart chocolates with Smita, the air filled with the faint scent of roasted cashews from their haul. Hesitating, Shalini recounted the D-Mart cart ride with Arjun, her cheeks flushing. "He caught me when I cramped, put me in the cart—it was… close, but he's too old for anything more," she said, denying romantic feelings. Smita's eyes narrowed, envy flickering. "Sounds cozy for 'just friends,' Shalini. This Sharma ji's got you blushing." Her interest piqued, she leaned in. "He spent ₹20,000 at the gym? Maybe I misjudged him. Responsible, wealthy—that's not bad." Influenced by Shalini's praise, Smita softened, reconsidering her standards. "Fine, I'll visit FitZone with you. Wanna see this guy train."
Shalini's smile faltered, conflict stirring. She valued her friendship with Smita but hesitated to introduce Arjun, his recent divorce a quiet concern. "He's just a client, Smita. Nothing more," she said, her voice firm but uncertain. Smita scoffed, dismissing her past blind date. "Unlike that cheap guy I met—total waste." Unaware it was Arjun, she waved a hand, her bangles clinking.
The next morning, Arjun woke early in his Bandra apartment, the aroma of vegetable upma and eggs wafting from the kitchen. Ananya Desai, her hair tied back, stirred the pan with focus, adding five eggs for protein. "Morning, Uncle," she said, smiling. "Thought you'd need a hearty breakfast." Arjun, impressed, took a bite, the flavors rivaling his own cooking. "Ananya, this is top-notch," he said, boosting her confidence. Her effort warmed the small kitchen, a stark contrast to Priya's absence, likely still asleep.
After breakfast, Arjun retreated to his room, pulling a Knowledge Scroll from his desk (Knowledge Scroll=6). He dove into The Selfish Gene and The Fifth Discipline, the system buzzing as he absorbed insights on behavior and systems thinking. "Task Progress: One-sixth of reading task complete. Spirit +2 (now 66). Attribute Points +5." The mental clarity sharpened his focus, his fitness journey bolstered.
Ananya, meanwhile, prepared a second meal—dal-chawal with chicken curry—to support Arjun's physical needs, the savory aroma filling the apartment. Arjun, joining her in the kitchen, smiled. "You're a lifesaver, Ananya—a caring little anchor for this house," he said, contrasting her effort with Priya's idleness. Ananya blushed, her confidence growing. "I just want to help, Sharma ji."
Before heading out for his Ola rides, Arjun added Ananya to the Pali Hill WhatsApp group, linking her with Sister Geeta for summer job leads. "Geeta aunty's got contacts for tutoring or café work, Ananya—₹10,000–₹15,000 a month. I'll still cover your tuition if needed," he said, reinforcing his support. Ananya nodded, her gratitude evident. "Thank you, Uncle. Means a lot." The system buzzed: "Task Progress: Efficient reading ongoing. Continue for 16 days to unlock full rewards." As Arjun stepped into Bandra's lively streets, Ananya's contributions and Smita's looming gym visit lingered in his mind, his resolve to balance his connections firm.
Attribute Panel:
Height: 185 cm (+)
Physical Age: 42 (-)
Wealth: ₹31,01,390
Strength: 72Spirit: 66 (+2)
Attribute Points: +5
Props: Knowledge Scroll=6, Electrolyte Drink=8, Protein Shake=2
Daily Tasks: Nutritious breakfast, gym check-in, Ola rides, Efficient reading