In the bustling atmosphere of FitZone Gym in Mumbai, Priya leaned against the sleek reception counter, her eyes narrowed as she whispered to her friend Neha, both distracted by Arjun Sharma's dramatic transformation. The gym's fluorescent lights cast a sharp glow, amplifying the clatter of weights and the hum of treadmills, blending with the distant sounds of Mumbai's morning traffic. "He's pretending to be some big shot to impress Shalini, I bet," Priya confided, her voice low with suspicion. "Shalini's single, stunning, and picky—why else would he show up looking like that?" Neha nodded, her lips pursed as they recalled Arjun's shift from a balding, unremarkable man to one sporting thick, styled hair, a gleaming ₹100,000 Titan Regalia watch, and a Armani outfit that screamed luxury. "From nothing to this in half a month? That kind of money doesn't just appear," Neha murmured, her skepticism growing. They debated whether to warn Shalini Patel, their friend and fellow trainer, about Arjun's sudden wealth, half-jokingly suggesting she might be charmed by his polished new persona despite her discerning nature.
Their hushed conversation was interrupted by the gym's glass doors swinging open, revealing a delivery worker hauling ten boxes of premium electrolyte drinks, the sleek packaging drawing curious glances from gym-goers sweating through their routines. The staff exchanged puzzled looks, the unexpected delivery disrupting the morning's rhythm. Shalini, poised and professional in her fitted yoga attire, stepped forward to sign for the shipment, her FitZone cap casting a slight shadow. "Arjun ordered these for our training sessions," she announced, her tone calm but tinged with surprise at his generosity, the faint scent of sandalwood incense from a nearby diffuser lingering in the air. The revelation caught the attention of Vikram Singh, a wealthy male coach with a not-so-subtle crush on Shalini. Eager to impress, Vikram grabbed a bottle from the stack and took a swig, only to freeze under Shalini's sharp gaze. "Those are for training, Vikram. Replace it," she said firmly, her voice cutting through his bravado like a knife through Mumbai's humid air. Vikram, flustered but intrigued by Arjun's gesture, teased, "What's this guy's deal? Trying to win you over with fancy drinks?" Shalini dismissed the comment with a wave, though a flicker of nervousness crossed her face, her thoughts lingering on her student's unexpected thoughtfulness.
Vikram, still chuckling, helped move the heavy boxes to the yoga room, unaware that Arjun, fresh from a shower and without his styled hairpiece, was the very student in question. As Arjun emerged, his damp hair revealing his natural thinning scalp, he exuded a quiet confidence despite the absence of his polished exterior, his ₹35,000 Armani Exchange shirt still clinging to his toned frame. His phone pinged with a notification: "SBI: ₹1,000 credited for gym check-in. Balance: ₹19,83,650." Shalini, oblivious to the Midlife Mastery System behind his earnings, smiled warmly and urged him to rest well after their session. "You're pushing hard, Sharma ji. Take care of yourself," she said, her dedicated coaching style shining through, her focus on his progress unwavering despite the gym's social undercurrents.
As Arjun gathered his gym bag, his phone rang, the screen displaying his daughter's name, Priya Sharma. Her voice was strained as she explained she'd sprained her ankle near Bandra's Carter Road, a lively coastal stretch not far from the gym. Without hesitation, Arjun hopped on his TVS scooter, the cool evening breeze whipping past as he navigated Mumbai's bustling streets, dodging rickshaws and pedestrians, his mind racing with concern. Arriving at the dimly lit promenade near Carter Road, he spotted Priya sitting on a bench, her ankle wrapped in a makeshift bandage, accompanied by two others. Among them was Rohan Malhotra, a boy Arjun recognized—and distrusted—from a prior incident at a restaurant where Rohan's reckless behavior had raised red flags. The other was Ananya Desai, a girl in a neatly pressed Collage
uniform, her expression a mix of concern and unease as she hovered near Priya.
Suspicion flared in Arjun's chest as he pieced together the scene, his protective fatherly instincts kicking into high gear. Had Rohan's carelessness caused Priya's injury? His jaw tightened, ready to confront the boy, but he paused, noting Ananya's presence and her worried glance toward Priya.
Attribute Panel:
Height: 185 cm (+)
Physical Age: 47 (-)
Wealth: ₹19,83,650
Strength: 70 (+)
Spirit: 50 (+)
Props: Knowledge Scroll=7, Electrolyte Drink=10, Protein Shake=2
Daily Tasks: Nutritious breakfast, gym check-in, Ola rides