After a long week of training with L, my body had transformed into something I never thought possible. Looking at myself in the dusty mirror in the attic, I was astounded at the changes.
"L, show me my status," I called out.
L's digital voice responded immediately, a hint of excitement in her tone. "Gladly."
Name: Jain Sen
-Level: 7
-Strength: 320/500
-Stamina: 300/500
-Intelligence: 1000/1000
-Charm: 70/500
-XP: 1257/10000
-Money: 920 ₹ (17.04 USD in 2012), (52000 ₹, 962.96 USD in 2012) on Mom)
-Location: The Dusty Attic, Home
-Active Quest:
*Strength Training: 320/500+ (View..)
*Stamina Training: 300/500+ (View..)
*Mental Training: 180/300+ (View..)
*Earn Money: 73,000 ₹/Goal Not Set (approximately 1,351.85 USD in 2012)
Status: In Progress
My stats had improved dramatically, thanks to the intense training sessions and the wish granted by Cuyle. I felt a sense of pride in my accomplishments, but I knew there was still much more to achieve.
I turned to L, who was floating alongside me. "What's next?" I asked, eager to continue my growth.
"Your charm," she said, a knowing look in her digital eyes. "It's the key to success in every area of your life, not just in love and friendship but in business and your future career."
I nodded, understanding the importance of this aspect. "How can we work on that?"
"We'll start with small gestures," she explained. "Compliments, helping others, being genuine. It's not just about the words but the intent behind them."
Her guidance was invaluable, and I knew that with her help, I could become the best version of myself, not just for me but for my family and those around me. The weight of the future rested on my shoulders, but with every step I took, it felt a little lighter.
I come home from a long day of training and signing contracts, and I see Abhi pacing around the living room, his face a mix of anxiety and excitement.
"What's going on?" I ask him, setting down my backpack and loosening my tie.
He stops pacing and looks at me with wide eyes. "It's result day," he says, his voice filled with tension.
"Oh, right," I say, trying to keep my cool. I know he's nervous, but I have faith in him. "You're going to do great."
"But what if I don't?" He runs a hand through his hair. "What if I fail?"
I chuckle and slap him on the back. "Don't worry, buddy. You're going to pass," I assure him with a wink.
He looks at me with hope in his eyes. "Really?"
"Of course," I say, heading towards the bathroom. "Just keep your cool."
As I enter the bathroom, I can hear him exhale a sigh of relief. I smile to myself. Being a good brother isn't just about fixing things—it's about being there for the small moments too.
After a quick shower and getting dressed, Mom offers us both a spoonful of sweet 'Dahi Sakkar' for good luck. She says a prayer for us, her voice filled with hope and love. I look at Abhi, who's trying not to look too anxious.
"Don't worry, little buddy," I say, giving him a comforting pat on the head. "You're going to do great."
He rolls his eyes playfully. "Easy for you to say, Mr. Top-of-the-Class," he teases, but there's a hint of nerves in his voice.
I laugh and give his shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "You've got this, Abhi."
Mom blesses us both before we leave the house, the warmth of her love enveloping us as we step into the bustling streets of Delhi. The noise of the city seems to amplify the excitement and anticipation of the day ahead.
As we make our way to school, we pass by Dev, who's practically bouncing on the spot. "I passed!" He exclaims, his face alight with joy.
"Congrats, man!" I say, genuinely happy for him.
"Thanks," he beams.
Abhi looks at him with a touch of envy. "See, even Dev passed," I say to him, trying to lighten the mood.
"What do you mean 'even'?" Dev asks, pretending to be offended.
We all share a laugh, and the tension seems to dissipate a little.
As we enter the school, teachers and classmates are eager to congratulate me on my recent success. I've ranked 1st, which is a big deal. But my eyes are on Abhi, who's nervously clutching his results envelope.
The teacher calls us over and hands him his envelope with a proud smile. He opens it, and his face lights up. He passed with flying colors.
I hug him tightly. "Told you," I whisper.
He hugs me back, the excitement in his eyes mirroring my own. "Bro, you're the best!"
The three of us head to the cafeteria to celebrate. As we sit down, Abhi opens his envelope to reveal his grades. He's passed with a good score, not the best, but good enough to keep our mom off his back for a while.
"Looks like I'm not the only one who's been blessed," I say, nudging him.
"Thanks to you," he says, a hint of awe in his voice.
"No," I correct him, "Thanks to you. You put in the effort, and you deserve it."
We sit there, sharing a moment of pure happiness. It's times like these that remind me of how much has changed, and yet, how much more there is to come.
As we sit at the café, Ratika and her friends enter, their chatter and laughter filling the room. Ratika's eyes land on me, and she rushes over, her face breaking into a wide smile.
"Congratulations, Big Brother," she says, her eyes sparkling with excitement. She gives me a warm hug.
"Thanks," I reply, feeling a blush creep up my cheeks.
"And congratulations to you too, Abhi," she says, turning to my brother with affection.
"Thanks, Ratika," he mumbles, his eyes darting to the floor.
I gesture for them to sit. "Please, don't stand on ceremony," I say with a smile.
As they sit down, Modu, one of Ratika's friends, looks at me with a surprised expression. "Jain, you look so different from before," she says, her voice filled with awe.
"Ah, yes, bro's been working out," Abhi says, his voice filled with pride. "Looks like he's coming back to his old self."
I laugh it off and order coffee for everyone. As I come back with the tray, Modu's eyes are glued to me, and she blushes when I catch her staring.
"Is there something wrong?" I ask her, raising an eyebrow.
She shakes her head rapidly. "No, no, nothing," she stammers, looking away.
I grin to myself. It seems like my charm is starting to work.
We all sip our coffee, sharing stories of our recent adventures. Ratika's smile never leaves her face as she listens to Abhi's tales, and I can't help but feel a twinge of happiness for him. The atmosphere is light, filled with the sweet aroma of victory and the promise of a brighter future.
As we sit there, surrounded by the comforting buzz of the café, I realize that this is what it's all about—the little moments of joy, the shared triumphs, and the love that binds us together. With the warmth of the café and the company of good friends, everything feels just right in this little slice of our world.
After school, we come home, the weight of our accomplishments feeling like a warm embrace from an old friend. The house is filled with a sense of pride as we share the good news with Mom. She takes one look at us and says, "Good look at us, recently everything is going correctly."
Mom kisses us both on the forehead, her eyes shimmering with happiness.
"Thanks, Mom," I say, feeling a sense of relief wash over me.
"It's all because of your hard work," she replies, her voice thick with emotion.
We sit down in the living room, and the quiet hum of the TV fills the space between us. The comforting familiarity of the scene grounds us, reminding us that amidst all the changes, some things remain the same.
"So, what's the plan now?" Abhi asks, his voice filled with excitement.
I look at him, a smile playing on my lips. "Well, we've got to keep pushing forward," I say. "Now all left us is Collage"
"But tonight," Mom interjects, "we celebrate. I've made your favorite, butter chicken."
We both cheer, and the tension of the day melts away. As we sit down to eat, the aroma of the spicy dish fills the room, mingling with the warm glow of the lights and the laughter of our mother.
That night, as we lay in our shared bedroom, the soft glow of the moonlight casting shadows on the walls, I turn to Abhi, who's already under his blanket.
"What's up?" He asks sleepily.
"I just wanted to say, thanks for being there for me," I whisper, feeling a sudden surge of emotion. "You've been through a lot too."
"It's nothing," he murmurs. "You're my brother. What else could I do?"
"But you've changed," I say. "You're not just the little kid I used to know."
He nods, his eyes closed. "Yeah," he says. "I guess we both have."
There's a moment of silence before he speaks again. "What do you think about Ratika?"
"What about her?"
"Do you think she likes me?" He asks, his voice hopeful.
I chuckle. "I think she does," I say, patting his shoulder. "Why she kissed you if she didn't."
His smile is wide and genuine. "Thanks, Jain."
We drift off to sleep, our dreams filled with the sweet scent of success and the promise of tomorrow.