37 Don't have money to eat

'Shit Serene you forgot your purse and phone both... Great you are only left with 200 bucks that's all!' Today because of the fight she forgot her phone and wallet at the table. Now she only have emergency money in her hand 'Well finally i got some use of this'

"Hey what happened?" Roy asked when he saw her tensed look and then mocking look, which was given to herself.

Serene looked up cheekily and said "Nothing just checking some stuff in the bag. You say" She doesn't find this problem that big to get needs from her friend.

Roy said again "Yeah so I was saying, last night I had a fight with my dad too."

"Dad! Why?" 

"Well you see I wanted a car but he didn't want me to drive this early. Then I planned to buy one with my bank account, which has his money, but I was caught. So he snatched away all my money as a punishment for the whole month. Now I only get few bucks for food that's all."

Earlier he got tense when his allowance got cut but then he remembered that yeah he could depend on Serene totally.

"So Serene my child I am all dependent on you for this month. Feed me. And God will bless you!" He cheekily said while massaging her shoulder like she was his master or something.

She laughed like a king and tapped her shoulder "Hehehe sure. I will take you for a Thai restaurant tomorrow for lunch, and have as much as you want. It's your reward for massaging my shoulder."

"Tomorrow? Why not today" He asked confusedly. Whenever it comes to food, Serene never waits for a second even.

"Ohh actually... I am having a stomach ache, I can't eat non veg today. And I am not gonna let you eat alone in front of me!" She just made up her answer right away. Well she is good at this.

"Even I don't want to! Let's go tomorrow. By the way is it aching a lot?" He asked with concerned 

"Naah bearable" 

***

"Hey I am going out to have wafer do you want something?" Serene stood up from her seat to go outside. Now she finally can't control her hunger. She needs something.

It's their generic class, but the teacher is busy doing his stuff, so he doesn't care what students do but he wants the students in class silently. 

Roy looked up and said "Yeah one wafer and a can of milk"

"Okay" She showed her thumbs in understanding and ready to sneak out of the class.

Roy held her wrist and said "Hey have some food before you eat wafer. You are already suffering from stomach ache, it's not good for your body to stay empty stomach."

The boy sitting beside Roy also affirm "Yeah Serene it's not good for health"

She smiled embarrassingly with Roy words, which was loud enough to be heard by four-five benches around them. "Hehe yeah I will have something"

***

Serene straight went for the first and her favourite store "Hello uncle can I have a two can of milk!"

Shopkeeper also smiled to see her face "Right away...." Then looked back to Serene but frowned to see her full look "What happened my child your face looked down."

She was surprised that her emotions are that easy to be read by elders "Is it that visible." 

He nodded and asked again with concern "Something happened?"

Serene pouted with being wronged face "Yeah I didn't had anything since morning!" She don't need to hide with him and said

"Why?" Uncle narrowed his eyes. He knows that this kid is not poor and that she won't have money to eat.

Serene took both cans of milk before telling him her story. "I forgot my wallet and phone at home. Then I was left with only 200 bucks which was for an emergency. To go back home I need 50 bucks. 

So I couldn't spend it on my food. Then my friend also had some problems with his father and his allowance got cut. 

Couldn't tell him the truth so I told him that I am suffering from stomach ache. Now i am here all hungry." She smiled sheepishly.

Shopkeeper felt bad when he saw her face which looked out of colour because of her mood "Child take my money! Give it to me tomorrow." He knew her from day one of her school. He can trust her with money.

Serene widened her eyes with his sense of trust for her. She shook both her hand in rejecting the idea "No no it's alright. I am left with 170 bucks even now. I will have food from Street side stall. Don't worry" She doesn't like to owe money to someone when she is in need. She can take Roy's money because he is her friend. But uncle is just an acquaintance.

"Are you sure?" He asked again

"Yes uncle don't worry!" She said and left. She didn't notice the silhouette following her since class, who is hiding his presence from her for this long.

****