Arjun Sharma stepped into FitZone Gym on a quiet Sunday morning, the clank of weights and hum of treadmills greeting him as he looked forward to Ananya Desai's dinner of aloo gobi and chicken curry, a new recipe she'd promised to try. Shalini Patel, his 24-year-old trainer, spotted him near the treadmills, her FitZone cap tilted, concern in her eyes. "Sharma ji, early for a Sunday! Those Ola shifts aren't wearing you out, are they?" she asked, adjusting a machine. Arjun grinned, stepping onto the treadmill. "Driving keeps me sharp, Shalini. Ananya's cooking tonight—spicy stuff, keeps me going." Shalini's eyebrows rose, curiosity piqued. "Ananya? Not Priya in the kitchen?" she teased, her professional warmth cutting through the gym's buzz. Arjun chuckled, starting a light jog. "Priya's all about Instagram reels. Ananya's her NMIMS classmate, staying with us, helping out."
During their warmup, Shalini marveled at Arjun's rejuvenated look—smoother skin, a youthful glow at 42. "Sharma ji, you're looking sharper than ever," she said, increasing the treadmill incline. "This month's training is magic." Hesitating, she added, "My ₹60,000 monthly sales quota's killing me. Clients are jumping to other trainers, and I'm barely hanging on. Know anyone who might sign up under me?" Before Arjun could respond, Riya Gupta, a rival trainer, strutted over, her tight gym wear and sly smile calculated. "Shalini, your clients are dropping like flies," she purred, leaning against a nearby machine. "Heard you're pushing sketchy supplements to get results like Sharma ji's. That glow? Not natural." Her tone was malicious, aimed at undermining Shalini's credibility.
Arjun's Spirit stat of 60 fueled his sharp retort. "No supplements, Riya—just clean eating and Shalini's training. Stop spreading lies," he said, his Strength of 70 lending authority, his voice rising above the gym's hum. Shalini, her face tightening, shot him a grateful glance but stayed silent, her reserved demeanor clashing with Riya's boldness. Riya, unfazed, beckoned Sneha Iyer, who sauntered up, tossing her hair. "Shalini's losing her touch," Sneha cooed, addressing the gym floor. "Her clients look good, but at what cost? Botox? Surgery? She's hiding something." Their accusations, meant to sway other clients nearby, grated on Arjun, their transactional approach lacking Shalini's genuine warmth.
"Shalini's training is legit," Arjun snapped, stepping off the treadmill, his gaze steady. "You two are just stirring trouble to poach clients. It won't work." Shalini's shoulders relaxed, but her eyes betrayed fear—she couldn't match Riya and Sneha's brazen tactics, and losing more clients would crush her quota. "Thanks, Sharma ji," she murmured, adjusting her cap. "Let's hit the weights." Riya and Sneha retreated, whispering by the water cooler, their eyes scanning the gym for vulnerable clients, their attack on Shalini's reputation a calculated move.
During their strength training—biceps, triceps, chest, and back—Shalini adjusted the equipment for Arjun's 185 cm frame, setting 40 kg per arm. Her careful guidance, a light touch on his elbow to correct form, boosted his focus. "Keep your wrists steady, Sharma ji," she said, handing him an electrolyte drink (Electrolyte Drink=9). "Stay hydrated." Her stretches to prevent soreness underscored her value, contrasting Riya and Sneha's shallow ploys. "You're killing it today," she said, smiling. Arjun, impressed by her dedication, leaned in. "Shalini, I'll help with your quota. I know Vikram Patel, a shop owner from my Ola routes. He's keen to join. I'll bring him tomorrow." Shalini's eyes lit up. "Really? That'd save me," she said, her voice thick with gratitude.
As Arjun left, the gym's competitive tension lingered, but his loyalty to Shalini felt unshakable. The system buzzed silently: "Task Progress: Efficient reading ongoing. Continue for 22 days to unlock full rewards." The thought of Ananya's dinner and the promise of supporting Shalini drove him home through Bandra's lively streets.