After Rahul finished counting, the five stacks of 1,000-denomination Taka totaled 500,000.
Converting that to Indian Rupees, it was nearly ₹41,000.
The twin sisters, Anisha and Anika, had clearly done their homework. To ensure he wouldn't face issues with customs or currency regulations upon returning to Mumbai, they had kept the amount within a reasonable limit. Fearing he would refuse their charity, they had secretly tucked it into his bag before he left for the airport.
While ₹41,000 might be pocket change to the elite of Dhaka, for Rahul, whose vlogging career had only just begun and who was currently living off his savings, it was a lifeline.
The expenses for his trip—airfare, ten days of accommodation, and the money stolen at the airport—had totaled roughly ₹1.2 lakhs. When he had left Mumbai, his total liquid assets were ₹6 lakhs; upon his return, only about ₹4.8 lakhs remained.
But if he added the ₹41,000 in cash and the ₹3.4k he had exchanged at the airport, his savings were actually creeping back toward his original balance. He had essentially gone on a world-class trip for free, and his net worth had technically increased.
"Bhai, stop hiding it! Hurry up and tell me who gave you all this cash!"
Kabir was practically vibrating with curiosity, feeling as if ten thousand ants were crawling over his heart.
"It wasn't Samina; a pair of twin sisters gave it to me," Rahul said casually, planning to head to his bank the next morning to deposit the cash and replace his lost debit cards.
Hearing this, Kabir grew even more frantic. "Wait, where did twin sisters come from? You didn't show them to me on the video call! You're secretly enjoying yourself and keeping your brother in the dark, aren't you!"
Just as Rahul lifted his wrist to check his watch and see if the bank was still open, Kabir's eyes widened to the size of saucers. He spotted the gleaming Omega Seamaster 300 on Rahul's wrist.
"No way, Bhai... where did that Omega come from?! That's a five-lakh watch!" Kabir said, his face contorting with a mix of awe and jealousy.
Rahul stood up, grabbing the cash. "Oh, didn't you just mention Samina? She's the one who gave me this as a 'parting gift'."
"Bhai! Guru! Adoptive Father! Teach me the ways! I want to learn this power!"
The bank was already closing, so it was too late to deal with the currency exchange or his cards. Rahul spent the next few hours connected to his laptop, transferring his high-definition footage while he waited for the real estate agent to bring the potential buyers over.
Kabir, triggered by a sudden realization that his best friend was now a high-society magnet, refused to leave. He kept chattering in Rahul's ear, insisting that he be allowed to carry Rahul's bags on the next trip abroad.
Finally, evening rolled around, and the real estate agent, Amit, called to say he was outside with the clients.
A few minutes later, there was a knock on the door. Rahul opened it to find Amit standing with a young couple.
"Ah, Rahul sir, hello. I've brought these two over to finalize the discussion on the price."
"Welcome, please come in."
As the couple entered, the girl froze the moment she saw Rahul's face. Her eyes widened, and she stood rooted to the spot for several seconds. Only after her boyfriend nudged her did she snap out of it and walk into the small living room.
"Come, sit. I just landed back in the country, so please excuse the lack of refreshments," Rahul said politely.
"Oh, it's fine, Rahul sir. Don't go to any trouble," the man said, waving his hand nervously.
From his simple, worn-out clothing and the way he sat on the edge of the sofa, it was clear he was a simple, honest man—the type who worked a 9-to-5 and saved every paisa. His fiancée, however, was dressed in trendy fashion with sharp makeup. Her blue dress couldn't quite hide the slight bulge in her abdomen; she was clearly pregnant.
Despite her condition, she was staring intently at Rahul, her gaze fixed on his face in a way that made him slightly uncomfortable.
Amit, the agent, quickly got to the point. "So, Rahul sir. The listed price is 20 million (2 Crores). With the 7% discount you offered, we are at 1.86 Crores. This couple is in a rush to get married and has a very tight budget. They wanted to see if there was any more room to move so we can sign the paperwork today."
While Amit talked, the man sat hunched over, constantly rubbing his knees with his hands. Rahul could see the pure anxiety radiating off him. The man tried to speak, to bargain, but the words seemed stuck in his throat.
The fiancée beside him let out a sharp, impatient sigh. She nudged him hard with her elbow. "I told you to speak up! Why can't you even squeeze out a single word?"
The man didn't seem to mind the ridicule. He gave a sheepish, painful laugh and looked at Rahul.
"Rahul sir... money is very tight for us. My girlfriend is pregnant, and we need a home before the baby comes. After paying the heavy 'deposit' her family demanded for the marriage, my savings for the down payment are... well, they're short. If you could give us a bit more of a discount, we can sign right now."
Rahul looked at the man, then at the woman. A wave of realization hit him. This woman didn't match this man at all. She looked like the type who had spent years "playing the field" and had now picked the most honest, hardworking man she could find to take care of her and the child.
Rahul felt a sudden surge of sympathy. This man was walking into the exact trap Rahul had just escaped from. He was likely using his parents' entire life savings to buy a home for a woman who didn't even respect him.
But sympathy was one thing; business was another.
"I can't lower it further," Rahul said firmly. "I'm already selling below the market average. If the price goes lower, it's simply not worth it for me to sell."
Kabir, standing by the kitchen, chimed in. "If you're struggling this much with the down payment, maybe you shouldn't be looking at properties in this area."
The girl's face twisted in anger, feeling like her status had been insulted. She vented her frustration at her fiancé. "I've really suffered by choosing you! You're being so stingy over a small flat. If I weren't pregnant, I wouldn't even be sitting here!"
The man looked down, offering a quiet, broken defense. "I gave all my personal savings to your father for the marriage gift. This down payment is coming from my parents selling their only house in the village. I..."
Amit interrupted quickly, trying to save the deal. "Give Rahul sir your final number."
The man looked at Rahul, taking a deep breath. "I only have 25 lakhs for a 15% down payment. That means the total price can't exceed 1.67 Crores."
"Absolutely impossible," Rahul refused immediately. "I'd rather let the house sit empty than lose that much. I know what it's like to be in your position, but I can't set my own future on fire to help you."
"Rahul sir, what is your absolute 'last-last' price?" Amit asked.
"1.85 Crores," Rahul said. "That's my final concession. For 1.85 Crores, you only need an extra 2.75 lakhs for the down payment. If you can't arrange that small amount for your future, then we have nothing more to discuss."
The girl stood up, her face full of disdain. She glared at her fiancé. "I've had enough of this poverty! Why are we even getting married if you're this useless?"
She turned to walk out. The man scrambled up, grabbing her arm in a panic.
"Wait! Okay! 1.85 Crores! I'll sign! Amit, I'll sign for 1.85 Crores!"
Expert Guide Follow-up:
Rahul has just witnessed a dark mirror of his own past life. As he prepares to sign the papers, he realizes the girl is eyeing his Omega watch and his new, confident aura with visible greed. Should he complete the sale and wash his hands of the apartment, or should he take the man aside for a "big brother" warning about what he's getting into?