One night after we had gotten together to see a movie we began our descent towards Vali Asr Square. Along the way we made our usual stops for snacks, dinner and phone calls. We seemingly spent too much because by the time we got to Vali Asr Square we realized we didn't have enough money to get back. 

Ardi kept insisting to take a taxi to Abbas Abad Street and for me to spend the night at their house and leave early in the morning (with money from him or his parents). On the other hand I thought it was possible for both of us to make it home if only we took a minibus (which would have cost us 3 tomans each as opposed to the higher taxi fare). This would take longer depending on when the next minibus would pass by but would at least let me get back home for the night. As we stood there debating the issue, a cigarette vendor at the Square overheard our discussion and jumped in.

“What’s the matter? You guys having some kind of problem here?”

“No, we’re fine,” I responded. “We’re just trying to figure out how to get home.”

I didn’t want to get into details with him but upon his insistence we laid out our situation. He reached behind his wooden crate that he used as a prop and pulled out 20 tomans for us.

“We can’t accept this,” I told him. “I don’t know if we will ever see you again. How are we gonna pay you back?”

“I’m here every day selling cigarettes. If you ever come back this way just look for me and you can repay me. And if you don’t, then don’t worry about it.”

We gracefully accepted his cash and took the next taxi.

I happened to be around the area the very next day and found him and paid him back which he reluctantly accepted. The next week when Ardi and I hung out again, Ardi suddenly remembered the vendor and said we should find the guy and pay him, to which I replied I already had.