Later that evening, in the State Bank of India's Bandra branch, Arjun Sharma and Ananya Desai stood in Sham Desai's office, the air warm with nostalgia. Sham, the deputy director, squinted at Ananya, his eyes twinkling. "Arjun, is this your daughter? She's stunning!" he said, leaning forward. Arjun laughed, shaking his head. "No, Sham. This is Ananya, Priya's NMIMS classmate, staying with us temporarily." Ananya blushed, offering a shy smile. Sham chuckled, adjusting his tie. "Well, she's a gem, Arjun."
Eager to help his old friend, Sham picked up the phone, bypassing the bank's rule against non-local loan applications. "Let's get this sorted," he said, making a quick call to an associate. In three minutes, Ananya's ₹150,000 annual student loan was processed, her documents stamped. Ananya's eyes widened, her gratitude overwhelming. The Midlife Mastery System buzzed: "Task Complete: Ananya's student loan secured. Rewards: Mahindra Thar LX Hard Top Diesel AT 4WD, 10 attribute points, Ananya's favorability +5% (now 55%)." Ananya hugged Arjun, her voice thick. "Uncle, I don't know how to thank you," she said, her trust deepening.
Over chai, Arjun shared his divorce story with Sham, his tone steady but heavy. "It was tough, Sham. Starting over isn't easy," he said. Sham, sipping his chai, shook his head, pity in his eyes. "You've had it rough, Arjun. I'm just a deputy director, but I'm doing alright." His modest success carried a hint of their childhood rivalry, tempered by nostalgia for their Nagpur days. "Remember when we fought over that cricket bat?" Sham laughed. Arjun grinned, deflecting. "Old quarrels, old times."
Sham insisted on catching up over dinner at 8 PM. "My treat, Arjun. You're not working, so I'll pick the place," he said, assuming Arjun's Ola driving meant financial strain. Arjun nodded, keeping his ₹31,01,390 savings and system rewards quiet, his Maruti 800 a humble facade. "Sounds good, Sham," he said, his mind on the Mahindra Thar waiting to be claimed.
Arjun arranged an Ola for Ananya, instructing her and Priya to eat dinner at home. "Use the D-Mart snacks, Ananya. Keep Priya in check," he said, winking. Ananya nodded, her favorability steady at 55%. Arjun drove to a Mahindra dealership in Bandra, the lot gleaming with luxury cars. His Maruti 800 looked out of place, its faded paint stark against the polished vehicles.
At the dealership, Sanjay approached, Hey, his calm confidence intriguing Sanjay. "You've got a professor's vibe," Sanjay said, eyeing Arjun's simple attire and refined demeanor. "Here for the Mahindra Thar?" Arjun nodded, smiling. "Something like that." Sanjay, curious, probed. "What do you teach? That Thar's a beast." Arjun deflected, chuckling. "Just a driver with a taste for good cars, " Sanjay's interest deepened, unaware of Arjun's system-driven wealth.
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: 55% (+5%)
Note from Nikhil T.
Dear Readers,
I'm taking a brief hiatus to celebrate the joyous festival of Diwali and enjoy a travel adventure with my family. I'll be away soaking in the festivities and exploring new places, but I'll return on November 1, 2025, recharged and ready to share more stories and insights with you. Thank you for your continued support and understanding during this festive break!
Warmest wishes,
Nikhil T.