Mahesh, the jovial restaurant owner, approached their table, his apron stained with masala as he carried a plate of complimentary gulab jamun, their crispy, syrup-soaked sweetness a crowd favorite. "Sharma ji, you're a hero tonight," he said, his voice booming over the din. "Those troublemakers—Rakesh and his lot—have been scaring my customers for weeks. You sent them running!" He set the plate down, the warm desserts glistening. "These are on the house for keeping the peace." Arjun grinned, nodding humbly. "Just doing what's right, Mahesh bhai. They had no business bothering us." He pushed the plate toward Ananya, who smiled shyly. "Try one, Ananya. It's a Mumbai classic."
Ananya, her sleek hair catching the light, took a small bite, her eyes lighting up. "It's so sweet! Thank you, uncle... and Mahesh ji," she said, her gentle demeanor charming the owner. Priya, picking at a piece of calamari, rolled her eyes. "Dad, you didn't even raise your voice that much. Remember that time at the Juhu bar? You were way more intense," she said, her tone critical, revealing her lingering dissatisfaction with his calmer approach. Arjun, unfazed, peeled a prawn and placed it on Ananya's plate, ignoring Priya's jab. "Eat, Priya. Less complaining, more enjoying," he said, his voice steady, a shift from his once-apologetic responses to her sharp remarks.
Mahesh, still hovering, beamed at Ananya. "This girl's a star! Her smile's good for business," he said, half-joking. "I'd waive your entire bill for bringing her here, Sharma ji." Arjun chuckled, shaking his head. "Thanks, Mahesh bhai, but I'll pay. We've known each other too long for freebies." Ananya, overhearing, whispered, "Uncle, that's so much money." Arjun winked. "Worth every rupee for a night like this."
As they prepared to leave, Rakesh Yadav, lingering near the entrance with his three lanky friends, approached, his earlier humiliation masked by a forced grin. "Hey, uncle, no hard feelings, right? Let's exchange WhatsApp contacts," he said, his eyes flicking to Ananya. "I've got some... connections. Could help your friend out." Arjun, aware of Rakesh's reputation as a jobless troublemaker who preyed on local girls, stepped forward, his 70 Strength stat lending authority to his stance. "We're good, Rakesh. Keep your connections to yourself," he said, his tone final. Priya, standing beside Ananya, added, "Yeah, buzz off. We don't need your kind of help." Ananya, clutching her bag, stayed close to Arjun, her discomfort clear. Rakesh, undeterred, smirked and snapped a quick photo of Arjun's Maruti 800 license plate as they walked away, hinting at future trouble.
In the car, Arjun drove through Bandra's neon-lit streets, the hum of traffic and distant street music filling the silence. Ananya, in the passenger seat, spoke softly. "Uncle, I'm sorry for all the trouble. I didn't mean to cause a scene." Arjun glanced at her, his expression softening. "You didn't cause anything, Ananya. Those guys are the problem, not you." Priya, in the back, scrolled through her phone but chimed in, "Dad's right for once. But you owe me a gulab jamun next time." Her teasing broke the tension, and Ananya laughed, a rare sound that warmed the car.
Back at the Bandra apartment, Arjun's phone buzzed with a Midlife Mastery System notification, its secrecy intact: "Dinner Task Complete: Priya moderately satisfied (60%, +₹2,000), Ananya fully satisfied (100%, +₹10,000, +2 attribute points, special prize pending). New Mission: Increase Ananya's favorability (currently 10%) to build trust and familial closeness. Reward: Deeper emotional insights." His phone pinged again: "SBI: ₹12,000 credited. Balance: ₹21,21,350." Reflecting on his strained bond with Priya, who often echoed her mother Meera's ungrateful tendencies, Arjun saw Ananya as a chance to foster a new, daughter-like connection. He allocated the two attribute points to reduce his physical age to 42, feeling a surge of energy, his 81-kilogram frame rejuvenated. "Dad, you're looking younger every day," Priya said, half-impressed, half-skeptical, as they settled in. Arjun smiled, his resolve strengthened by the system's rewards, ready to navigate the challenges ahead in Mumbai's vibrant pulse.
Attribute Panel:
Height: 185 cm (+)
Physical Age: 42 (-)
Wealth: ₹21,21,350
Strength: 72 (+)Spirit: 62 (+)
Props: Knowledge Scroll=8, Electrolyte Drink=10, Protein Shake=2
Daily Tasks: Nutritious breakfast, gym check-in, Ola rides, Efficient reading