The Bandra apartment shimmered with an unusual cleanliness, the morning sun streaming through spotless windows, casting a warm glow on polished surfaces. Arjun Sharma emerged from his room, where he'd been engrossed in his reading task for the Midlife Mastery System, to find the living room, kitchen, and bathroom gleaming—a stark contrast to the usual clutter he and Priya left behind. The faint scent of lemongrass cleaner lingered, and he traced the effort to Ananya Desai, whose own small room was equally pristine, her modest kurtis neatly folded on a chair. "Ananya, this place looks like a five-star hotel," he said, leaning against the kitchen counter, his voice filled with admiration. "You didn't have to do all this—we've got cleaners coming weekly."
Ananya, wiping down the dining table, looked up with a shy smile, her sleek hair catching the light. "I like keeping things tidy, uncle. It's my way of saying thank you," she said softly, her hands pausing. Arjun, his 76-kilogram frame relaxed in a fitted tee, nodded appreciatively. "Still, you deserve a break. Here, take ₹1,000 for lunch ingredients—you and Priya can whip up something nice." He reached for his wallet, but Ananya's face fell, her pride stung. "No, uncle, I can't take your money. You're already doing so much," she insisted, her voice firm despite her gentle demeanor. Arjun, sensing her discomfort, pulled out his phone and transferred ₹2,000 via UPI instead, his phone pinging: "SBI: ₹2,000 debited. Balance: ₹21,21,350." To his surprise, the system buzzed: "Mission Progress: Ananya's favorability -1% (now 13%). Build trust carefully." Arjun winced, realizing his gesture had backfired, and resolved to avoid financial offers until her trust deepened.
Before heading out for his 20-minute run, Arjun gestured to the fridge, where a handwritten note detailed a nutritious breakfast: upma, eggs, and milk, with precise measurements. "Ananya, make this for you and Priya. It's healthy—keeps us strong," he said, cracking a grin, Ananya nodded, her eyes bright with focus. "I'll follow it exactly, uncle," she promised, pulling out a pan. Her diligence impressed him as she measured semolina and chopped vegetables, the kitchen filling with the savory aroma of upma. After his run, Arjun returned, sweat-soaked but energized, to find the meal ready—two eggs for Ananya, five for him, and a glass of milk each. "This is perfect," he said, snapping a photo and sending it to his trainer, Shalini Patel, who replied: "Looking solid, Sharma ji! Keep logging those meals." He thanked Ananya, adding, "I'll grab something tasty for dinner—stay indoors, it's scorching out there."
Ananya, wiping her hands, nodded gratefully. "I will, uncle. I was thinking... maybe later you could help me with job ideas? For after college," she said, her voice tinged with worry about her dwindling finances. Arjun smiled, his Spirit stat of 64 sharpening his empathy. "We'll talk tonight, Ananya. You've got a bright future," he assured her, heading out for his Ola shift.
Meanwhile, Priya, stumbling into the living room with a yawn, grabbing a bottle of lassi from the fridge. "This place is too clean," she grumbled, eyeing Ananya's handiwork. "I'm bored already—let's have some fun." She plopped onto the couch, her iPhone 16 Pro glowing as she texted. "I'm inviting Rohan over. Just him, don't worry," she told Ananya, who hesitated, recalling Arjun's caution about visitors. "Are you sure, Priya? Your dad said to keep things calm," Ananya said, her tone uneasy. Priya waved her off, smirking. "Relax, Rohan's cool. He's dying to meet you, you know." Her strategic mention of Ananya's presence sealed the deal, as Rohan, a charming VJTI student, canceled his internship plans with his father, Sanjay Malhotra, to visit.
Sanjay, a relaxed executive lounging in his Juhu flat, chuckled at Rohan's enthusiasm, transferring ₹10,000 via UPI without hesitation. "Go win her over, beta, but don't skip your studies," he teased, supportive of his son's romantic pursuits. Back at the apartment, Priya's plan to entertain Rohan risked defying Arjun's rules, setting the stage for tension. Ananya, sensing potential trouble, busied herself organizing the kitchen, her gentle demeanor a quiet anchor as Priya's chatter filled the room. The system pinged silently: "Task Progress: Efficient reading ongoing. Continue for 24 days to unlock full rewards." Arjun, unaware of the brewing plans, drove through Mumbai's vibrant streets, his transformation at 42 fueling his resolve to guide Ananya and navigate Priya's schemes.
Attribute Panel:
Height: 185 cm (+)
Physical Age: 42 (-)
Wealth: ₹21,21,350
Strength: 72 (+)Spirit: 64 (+)
Props: Knowledge Scroll=7, Electrolyte Drink=10, Protein Shake=2
Daily Tasks: Nutritious breakfast, gym check-in, Ola rides, Efficient reading