Later, Arjun Sharma and Ananya Desai stepped into the State Bank of India's Bandra branch, the air thick with the buzz of a crowded hall. Over 100 people shuffled in queues, clutching forms, the hum of conversations mingling with the clatter of keyboards. Arjun grabbed ticket number 556, his jaw tightening as he scanned the packed room, no seats in sight. Ananya, clutching her loan documents, stayed close, her sun protection scarf still draped over her shoulders. "Uncle, this is chaos," she whispered, her eyes wide. Arjun squeezed her arm reassuringly. "We'll get through it, Ananya."
After an hour of standing, their legs aching, Arjun guided Ananya to the less crowded government loan section, hoping for progress. By 5 PM, with 55 people still ahead, a stern staff member, Sanjay Patil, announced, "Counter's closing. Come back tomorrow." Frustration surged through Arjun, the Midlife Mastery System's task—securing Ananya's loan for a Mahindra Thar LX, 10 attribute points, and favorability—pushing him forward. He approached Sanjay, his tone earnest. "Sir, please, just process her application. I'll leave a glowing review." Sanjay, adjusting his tie, shook his head. "Rules are rules, Sharma ji. Her Nagpur household registration's a problem—she's not a local Mumbai resident."
Arjun's eyes narrowed, undeterred. "She's studying at NMIMS here. There's got to be a way." Sanjay sighed, his patience thinning. "Apply through her university or back in Nagpur. I can't bend rules." Ananya's face fell, but Arjun's resolve, fueled by the system's promise, held firm, boosting her favorability by 1% to 49%. "We're not giving up," he told her, his voice steady.
Ignoring Sanjay's dismissal, Arjun chased him down the corridor. "Let's discuss this further, Patil ji," he said, his tone firm but polite. Sanjay, suspecting a bribe, bristled. "Talk to the director, Sharma ji. Don't try anything funny." Arjun, acknowledging his lack of Mumbai connections as a former Nagpur resident, led Ananya to the director's office, prepared to spend money if needed. "Stay strong, Ananya," he said, her trust in him deepening, raising her favorability by 1% to 50%.
Inside the director's office, Arjun froze, a grin spreading across his face. The director, Sham Desai, was his childhood friend from Nagpur, their bond forged over schoolyard cricket and late-night study sessions. "Sham ? Is that you?" Arjun exclaimed, stepping forward. Sham , rising from his desk, laughed, pulling him into a warm hug. "Arjun Sharma! After all these years!" Their reunion filled the room with nostalgia, memories of teenage mischief sparking laughter.
Sanjay, entering with a stack of documents, froze, his eyes widening at the sight of Arjun embracing Sham . "Sharma ji knows the director?" he muttered, stunned by Arjun's unexpected connection, unaware of their decades-long friendship. Ananya, standing shyly behind, smiled, her confidence bolstered. The system buzzed: "Task Progress: Help Ananya secure a student loan. Bandra's vibrant energy pulsed outside, but Arjun's focus on Ananya's future, now bolstered by an old friend, burned brighter.
Attribute Panel:Height: 185 cm (+)Physical Age: 37Wealth: ₹31,01,390Strength: 72Spirit: 66Props: Knowledge Scroll=6, Electrolyte Drink=7, Protein Shake=2Daily Tasks: Nutritious breakfast, gym check-in, Ola rides, Efficient readingAnanya's Favorability: 50% (+2%)