Arjun Sharma leaned against his Maruti 800 outside Phoenix Palladium's gleaming entrance, the Mumbai monsoon's haze swirling around Linking Road's chai stalls and honking rickshaws. His Midlife Mastery System had sparked a fire, dimming Meera's chai-fueled tantrums: stronger frame, sharper focus, a grin that stuck. His phone pinged with the day's hustle: "SBI: ₹3,700 credited for Ola rides. ₹2,000 credited for 2 km run. ₹1,000 credited for gym check-in. ₹500 credited for nutritious breakfast—oats, eggs, lassi. Balance: ₹230,150."
Rhea, a 20-year-old NMIMS student moonlighting as a stylist, approached, her kurti catching the mall's neon glow. Clutching a clipboard, she eyed Arjun skeptically. "Mr. Sharma? Nice to meet you again," she said, her tone warm but guarded. "Here for gym gear?" Used to clients inflating their budgets, she braced for a quick, cheap pick.
Arjun grinned. "Something upscale—sporty, sharp, no budget cap." Rhea's eyebrows shot up. "An Ola driver with no cap? Seriously?" she teased, half-laughing. Arjun chuckled, unfazed. "Let's just say I'm rebuilding, not scrimping."
Rhea, still skeptical, led him into Ensemble Mumbai's polished interior, where racks of premium athleisure gleamed under chandeliers. "Okay, Mr. Sharma, let's test that budget," she said, her voice playful. She pulled a sleek Nike gym bag (₹25,000) and carbon-fiber lifting gloves (₹5,000). "These scream discipline for your build. Try the bag—fits your gym vibe?"
Arjun slung the bag over his shoulder, its weight feeling solid. "Not bad, Rhea. You're good at this." She smirked. "Years of dodging broke clients. So, what's your deal? Ola driver to big spender?" Arjun's eyes twinkled. "Got a system—work hard, earn smart. Left a chaotic ex behind. Now it's me and my daughter Priya, pushing forward."
Rhea nodded, impressed but not sold. "Fair, but upscale's pricey. Sure you're not overreaching?" She guided him to a display of fitness trackers, picking a Fitbit Charge 6 (₹35,000). "This tracks your gym grind—heart rate, steps, perfect for your goal." Arjun tested its sleek band. "Meera'd call this a 'fancy scam,'" he laughed, recalling her ₹20,000 shopping rants. "But it's my comeback."
At the counter, Rhea rang up ₹65,000. Arjun tapped his SBI UPI: "SBI: ₹65,000 debited. Balance: ₹165,150." A ping followed: "Midlife Mastery System: Task—Elevate gym vibe with premium accessories. Style Rating: 9/10. 9x cashback: ₹650,000 credited. 1 electrolyte drink added. SBI: ₹650,000 credited. Balance: ₹8,15,150." Rhea's jaw dropped. "Cashback? You're full of surprises, Sharma ji."
Spotting Rhea eyeing a ₹4,000 Nike wristband and a ₹2,000 cap, Arjun added them. "For your hustle, kid," he said, tapping ₹6,000. "SBI: ₹6,000 debited. Balance: ₹8,09,150." Rhea, floored, stammered, "Sir, this is… wow, thank you!" She texted a friend: "Thought he's just a driver—guy's got game!" Arjun's casual mention of his system and spending hinted he was more than he seemed.
Rhea grinned. "So, Sharma ji, what's next? A sports car to match the bag?" Arjun laughed. "Nah, my Maruti's loyal. Maybe a protein shake with Priya." His phone buzzed—Priya: "Dad, aced my quiz! Your gym pics are fire!" He typed: "Proud of you, kid. Dinner at home tonight?" Her heart emoji warmed him more than the mall's glow.
Mrs. Desai texted: "Arjun bhai, Sanjay's raving about FitZone! Radhika's still sulking over her date flop." He replied: "Sanjay's killing it, aunty. Tell Radhika to cheer up!"
Attribute Panel:
Height: 185 cm (+)Physical Age: 48 (-)Wealth: 8,09,150Strength: 60 (+)Spirit: 40 (+)Props: Knowledge Scroll=7, Electrolyte Drink=2, Protein Shake=1Daily Tasks: Run 2 km, gym check-in, nutritious breakfast