More than all the stars in the sky - An Addicted Prequel

Most Prized Possession

That evening, when Manvi came out of her classes, Virat was waiting for her outside.  He saw her walk out with her head hanging low. He shook his head and realized how much her sad face was affecting his day. He took a deep breath and called her name as she was walking away immersed in her thoughts. She turns around and smiles immediately.

"What are you doing here?" she asks.

"Stalking you of course." he smiles.

She tries to get an angry face out but ends up rolling her eyes and smiling. "Thanks for the morning, Virat.  And thank you for making me go back to my classes.  My mid-terms start in two days. I really should not have missed today's lecture." she told him.

"Good to hear that. Let's get coffee. I want to talk to you." he says.

"What about?" she asks.

~

"Hmm..Don't take this the wrong way Manvi, but I really cannot see this. I have some cash saved up..." he tells her sitting in a corner of the cafe.

Manvi smiles and stops him. "Thank you Virat. But...I really cannot take money from you.."

"Consider it as a loan. I do not need it for at least six month. You will figure something out by then."

"Virat. I really appreciate it. But, I cannot..."

"WHY NOT?" he looks at her mad.

"And trust me. I already have figured out a way."

"Oh?" he looks at her surprised.

"Nothing genius. I am going to sell my mom's jade. There is this guy who has been asking for it at the antique store.  He is from my town and he says it actually is an antique belonging to some famous lady before my dad got it. Whatever. I am going to get what I need."

Virat took a deep breath. "The one with which your dad proposed to your mom?"

"You remember!" she smiled.

"Of course I remember. But...you said its your mom's most prized possession and now yours."

"Isn't that what prized possessions are for? To get you past stuff when you are in trouble.  My mom would be happy that it is helping me this way."

Virat stared at her.

"Its really fine Virat. The only reason I feel bad is because I did not know better than loan Dave the money. I should have been careful." 

"Okay. Where is this antique store guy?" Virat inquires.

"It is in one of the street shops in china town.  I will go there after my shift. I have to work in about 20 min."

"That will be too late Manvi. I live nearby there. Call that guy and tell him that I will bring it to him. And I drive a mean bargain."

"You don't have to do that."

"Really?" he glares at her.

She rolls her eyes. "Fine. Here. She gave him a pouch. I actually ran home and got it during lunch."

 "Good girl."

"Don't haggle too much okay. He may drop the deal in whole."

"Now Manvi is teaching me how to handle finances. From your experience with what happened with Dave I am sure." he quipped sarcastically.

"Will I ever hear the end of it?" she sighed exasperated.

"You would have, if you did not hand me this just like that." he showed her the pouch. "You know me for a period of total three weeks Manvi. You probably know of Dave more than me. And yet you decided to trust me! And you just handed me this. Just like that. After what happened with that loser. What if I never show up?" he shook his head disapprovingly.