"That is a bit expensive," Shruti said wistfully.
"It is also extremely cute," said Deepti.
"It's expensive! We are still two thousand rupees short."
"That's not much, Shruti."
"It is, when I am spending on a birthday gift for a friend. I mean, look. She's my friend too, but I am not spending that much on a birthday gift for her."
"It's fine. I will pay the rest."
"We were supposed to go 50-50!"
"I know, don't worry about it. She doesn't have to know that I paid more. And it doesn't absolutely have to be 50-50. You are just supposed to give what you can... it's the thought that counts."
"And you can afford to toss in another two thousand?"
"I can arrange it," said Deepti smugly.
Shruti shook her head and gave her a suspicious look.
"You are surprisingly good at arranging cash at short notice. I hope you know what you are doing."
Deepti laughed.
"Relax, its nothing terrible. I just know how to coax money out of people in emergencies. I'm cute!"
"Coax money out people? You mean your dad? He will probably smack you."
"Not my dad. But you don't have to worry about it. I don't want to discuss it. I will just get the money and we will buy the jacket in the evening. Why don't you tell the clerk to put it aside for us until then? I should get to work on this."
She pulled out her cellphone and started to make a call. Shruti rolled her eyes. Deepti patted her on the cheek and hurried out of the store,
"Hello? Uncle Ashok? Yes, I am sorry, I know you had been calling me yesterday, but I was so tied up with college. Yes, I can come over now."
*****
When she got to Ashok's house, he was sitting in the garden with a cup of tea. He waved at her as she came in through the gate. She gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
"I am so sorry," she said. "It has been so busy. College, assignments, my part-time job."
"You should just focus on college, you don't need the job," said Ashok. "Your father is paying for everything anyway. I don't know why you youngsters need to spend so much."
"We have our needs, Uncle," said Deepti wearily. "We youngsters live somewhat different lives and nice things are expensive."
"Well, you do have me in case you need a little extra."
"It's not just about the money. I like the experience too. But since you mentioned it, I do need some money."
"And that's why you chose to call me today," said Ashok, feigning a bit of anger. "But you ignored me when I called you yesterday."
"Oh... don't be grumpy," said Deepti, taking his arm. "You know I love you."
"I know you love sweet-talking me into stuff," said Ashok, letting her lead him back into the house.
He walked into the kitchen with his empty cup. Deepti put her backpack down on a chair and plopped down onto the couch.
"Your aunt is out until the evening," he called from the kitchen. "Do you want any tea or some snack? I could make you something."
"No, I'm good. I'm not staying long really. I have some buy... uh... stuff to do with college."
"Yes, I know you came to see me because you probably want to buy something silly," he said as he came back and sat down next to her. "I just hope its not something too stupid. You aren't doing anything stupid, are you?"
"No drugs, no alcohol. Just clean fun," she said with her most innocent smile, but she could see he wasn't buying it. "Oh alright... I will come clean about this. I am just buying a gift for a friend. It's her birthday."
"I hope that's the truth, Deepti," said Ashok. "I know I am only your father's friend. I am not your father. But I do care. And I don't want to see you mess up your life."
"Oh... don't be such a damp squib!" Deepti said squeezing his arm. "You are supposed to be my fun uncle! And you know me. It's always just nice, clean fun with me. Okay, I do spend a little more freely than I should, but I only spend what I can. I don't spend what I don't have. It's not like I'm building up debts."
"Fine, I will trust you," said Ashok. "How much do you need?"
She thought for a moment.
"Three thousand would do it. I really only need two, but three will make it nicer."
"That's a little more than usual, Deepti," said Ashok with a frown.