The morning light danced delicately across the gleaming, polished surface of the Mahindra Thar, casting a series of shimmering reflections as Arjun Sharma stood proudly beside it. The vehicle's engine emitted a soft, fading hum that gradually blended into the vibrant, bustling symphony of Mumbai's streets. The sharp blare of rickshaw horns pierced the air, mingling with the lively calls of vendors hawking roasted corn from their carts. A rich, spicy aroma wafted from nearby chaat stalls, infusing the scene with the unmistakable flavor of the city. Sham Desai, still processing the weight of their earlier conversation at Saffron Spice, came to an abrupt halt as Arjun turned to him with a casual remark, "It's mine, Sham ji." The Thar's headlights flashed briefly, illuminating its sleek black frame and expansive panoramic sunroof, a striking contrast to the humble roadside setting where they stood. Sham's jaw dropped in astonishment, his kurta rustling gently in the morning breeze, the realization of the car's million-rupee equivalent shattering his long-held belief that Arjun was destitute and struggling.
Sham staggered backward, his mind a whirlwind of confusion as he struggled to reconcile this unexpected luxury with the hardships he associated with Arjun's past. "Wait, are you driving this for some boss?" he asked, his voice trembling with a mix of disbelief and curiosity. The Thar's rugged elegance and sophisticated design clashed vividly with memories of Arjun's old, weathered Maruti, leaving Sham clutching at straws for an explanation that made sense. He had pitied Arjun deeply for the painful divorce from Meera, the devastating layoffs, and the ongoing struggle to make ends meet—yet here was a vehicle that completely defied that narrative of hardship. Arjun responded with a casual shrug, leaning comfortably against the Thar with an air of easy nonchalance that only deepened Sham's bewilderment. "It's just a tool, Sham ji—gets me around," he said, brushing off the car's exclusivity with a dismissive wave of his hand. To Arjun, the Thar represented a practical and well-deserved reward from the Midlife Mastery System, far removed from any notion of a status symbol, though the system's latest task—"Embrace your truth, +2 Spirit"—gently urged him to hold his ground with confidence.
"Check it out," Arjun invited, unlocking the Thar with a smooth click of the key fob. Sham hesitated for a moment, his curiosity overcoming his initial shock, before he slid into the passenger seat, his fingers tentatively brushing against the plush leather seats that exuded a sense of luxury. Arjun activated the privacy mode with a tap, dimming the windows to create a cocoon of seclusion, and then tilted the starry sky roof to reveal a breathtaking mock constellation overhead, twinkling softly against the interior ceiling. The photochromic glass shifted through a spectrum of hues, its adaptive technology proving the car's pristine newness. "All mine," Arjun declared, his grin widening as Sham marveled at the opulent features, the luxury serving as a silent testament to his hidden ₹31,51,390 wealth amassed through the system's guidance. Sham's initial pity transformed into a growing confusion, his earlier misjudgment of Arjun's youthful energy—evident in his slim, frame and the steady strength reflected in his 72 Strength stat—now glaringly apparent. The Thar's commanding presence upended Sham's long-standing assumptions, laying the groundwork for a deeper emotional and personal reckoning that loomed on the horizon.