📖 Chapter 22 – Counterstrike
The next morning, the railway station was buzzing as usual, but there was a change in the air. Whispers drifted through the crowd—rumors of spoiled sweets, undercooked pavs, declining quality. Raj felt them like thorns brushing against his skin. Each false complaint was a needle meant to pierce his reputation. Shankar's hand was all over this. If left unchecked, it would spread like wildfire, undoing everything he had built.
Raj stood behind the cart, his expression calm but his mind sharp. The system's warning still glowed faintly in his vision:
[Sabotage Detected – Reputation at Risk.]
[Suggested Action: Public Countermeasure.]
Raj knew exactly what he had to do. He turned to Arjun. "Today, we don't just serve food—we prove to the whole station that our food is beyond doubt."
When the first customer arrived, Raj did something unusual. Instead of simply handing over the dish, he placed it on a small wooden plate and took a bite himself before serving. The commuter blinked in surprise. "You're… eating your own food?"
Raj smiled. "If I won't eat it, why should you? My food is as safe for me as it is for you."
The commuter laughed, took the pav, and ate it without hesitation. Soon, others gathered, curious. Each time Raj cooked, he sampled in front of them, his confidence radiating through the steam of the frying pan. The crowd began to murmur, this time not with suspicion but with approval.
"See that? He's eating it himself."
"Who does that these days? Must mean it's really good."
"Raj bhaiya's food is always clean. These rumors are nonsense."
The tide shifted, slowly at first, then like a wave. Customers who had been doubtful now ordered more, eager to taste for themselves. By noon, the stall was swarmed again, laughter and satisfaction drowning out the poison of rumor.
The panel chimed with a burst of light:
[Sabotage Neutralized: Reputation Restored.]
[Customer Trust +20.]
Arjun grinned ear to ear, pride swelling in his chest. Meena managed the money box with calm efficiency, while Imran's eyes shone as though Raj had just performed a magic trick. Even Rohit, though silent, could not hide the grudging respect in his gaze.
But Raj wasn't celebrating. He knew this was only the first skirmish. Shankar had tested him, probing for weakness, and Raj had answered with strength. Yet the battle was far from over.
That evening, as they wheeled the cart back, Raj's voice was steady but firm. "Remember this. Rumors are like smoke. The only way to fight them is with fire so strong that no one doubts what they see." His eyes hardened, glowing faintly in the reflection of the streetlights. "From now on, we don't just serve food—we serve trust."
In the shadows, Shankar watched, fury simmering in his veins as he realized his ploy had failed. His lips curled into a snarl. "So you fight back, boy. Good. Let's see how long you can keep burning before you burn out."
Raj, calm but resolute, looked at his glowing panel one last time before sleep. The words pulsed like a challenge:
[Next Mission: Protect Your Brand.]
Failure Penalty: Empire Growth Stalled.
Raj whispered into the darkness, "Protect it I will. Even if it means war."