Arjun Sharma pulled his TVS scooter to a stop outside a dilapidated apartment complex in Khar, its cracked walls and peeling paint a stark contrast to his own modest but tidy Bandra home, though both were of similar age. The building's low rent and negligent management were evident in the flickering streetlights and piles of uncollected garbage, the air thick with the scent of monsoon dampness and nearby street food—vada pav sizzling at a corner stall. Expecting Ananya Desai to meet him downstairs after his Ola shift, Arjun grew impatient as minutes ticked by without her appearance. The Mumbai evening buzzed around him—autorickshaws honking, vendors calling out—testing his patience. He dialed her number, unaware that Ananya was cornered in her apartment by her predatory landlord, "Vickey", a sleazy man in his thirties who had previously offered her financial support in exchange for a relationship, an offer she'd firmly rejected.
Inside her cramped apartment, Ananya, tall but timid, clutched her phone, her heart racing as Vickey pounded on the door, his voice dripping with menace. "Open up, Ananya! You can't keep dodging me," he shouted, attempting to force his way in. Her worn Collage uniform clung to her as she trembled, her kind but naive nature leaving her frozen until Arjun's call broke through. "Uncle, please help! He's at my door!" she whispered, her voice quivering with distress. Frustrated but sensing her panic, Arjun bolted upstairs, his athletic frame—honed to 81 kilograms and a Strength stat of 70 by the Midlife Mastery System—propelling him up the creaky staircase. The system, had sharpened his physique and resolve, far surpassing the average man's strength.
Reaching Ananya's door, Arjun found Vickey, a wiry figure with a smug grin, trying to jimmy the lock. "Back off, now," Arjun growled, his commanding presence and chiseled build intimidating Vickey, whose bravado crumbled. "Who the hell are you?" Vickey stammered, but Arjun's steely glare and towering 185 cm frame sent him scrambling down the stairs, fleeing into the Khar night. Arjun ensured Vickey would face consequences, discreetly contacting a local police acquaintance to report the harassment, his protective instincts kicking into high gear. Turning to Ananya, who opened the door with shaky hands, he softened his tone. "You're safe now. Let's get you out of here." Ananya, her striking features softened by relief, nodded gratefully, her worn kurti and modest suitcase a testament to her struggles.
Arjun arranged a moving company to transport Ananya's belongings to his Bandra apartment, transferring ₹2,000 via UPI to cover her owed rent, his phone pinging: "SBI: ₹2,000 debited. Balance: ₹21,17,550." Initially annoyed by her delay, he regretted misjudging her, seeing her distress. "Speak up in emergencies, Ananya. You don't have to face this alone," he advised gently, noting her kind but naive nature. Ananya, still shaken, resolved to be helpful at Arjun's home, her gratitude contrasting with Priya's earlier complaints about her father's neglect. As they rode to Bandra, Arjun suggested a quick stop at a salon in Linking Road for a haircut to lift her spirits, his phone buzzing with a new system notification: "Task Progress: Efficient reading ongoing. Continue for 27 days to unlock full rewards."
Back at the apartment, Priya lounged on the couch, her iPhone 16 Pro glowing as she scrolled through Instagram, the living room cluttered with snack wrappers and her MacBook Air M3. Growing impatient, she called Arjun, her tone sharp. "Dad, where are you? It's been hours!" Learning he was taking Ananya for a haircut, her voice tightened with irritation. "She's already moving in, and now this?" Arjun sighed, sensing Priya's jealousy, likely fueled by Rohan Malhotra's interest in Ananya.
Attribute Panel:
Height: 185 cm (+)
Physical Age: 44 (-)
Wealth: ₹21,17,550
Strength: 70 (+)
Spirit: 58 (+)
Props: Knowledge Scroll=8, Electrolyte Drink=10, Protein Shake=2
Daily Tasks: Nutritious breakfast, gym check-in, Ola rides, Efficient reading