Chapter 7: Summer Afternoon
July 15, 2000
San Francisco
Summer vacation had turned the usually busy streets around Grove High School quiet.
Most students were enjoying their freedom from classes, spending their days at beaches, parks, or simply sleeping late.
For Anshul, however, the days still started early.
The computer screen in his room glowed faintly as the dial-up modem finished connecting to the internet.
The familiar screeching sound filled the room before the market page slowly appeared.
NASDAQ Composite
3,118.73
The crash had slowed, but the market still looked fragile.
Many investors were afraid to buy anything.
For Anshul, that fear was exactly what he wanted.
He opened his trading account.
Portfolio Status — July 15, 2000
Initial Capital: $42,800
Closed Short Positions Profit
$146,900
Current Total Capital
$189,700
He didn't rush to buy more stocks yet.
The market still had room to fall.
Patience was part of the strategy.
After closing the trading window, he leaned back in his chair.
Outside his window, sunlight filled the quiet neighborhood.
And then he heard a voice.
"Ryan!"
He looked down.
Mia stood in the backyard holding a basketball.
She waved at him.
"Stop staring at your computer and come outside!"
Anshul sighed slightly.
But he closed the computer anyway.
---
A few minutes later they were standing at the small basketball court inside the neighborhood park.
Mia attempted a shot.
The ball bounced off the rim.
"Terrible," Anshul said.
"Shut up."
She grabbed the rebound and threw the ball toward him.
"Your turn."
He took the shot calmly.
The ball went through the hoop.
Mia groaned.
"You're annoyingly good at everything."
"That's not true."
"You're good at math."
"Useful skill."
"You're good at debate."
"Also useful."
"And apparently you're secretly good at making money."
Anshul looked at her.
"You figured that out?"
"You literally stare at stock charts every night."
"That's observation, not evidence."
She crossed her arms.
"I know you're making money somehow."
He smiled slightly.
"Maybe."
Mia walked closer.
"How much?"
"That's confidential information."
"That means a lot."
"That means none of your business."
She nudged his shoulder.
"You're my boyfriend. It is my business."
He raised an eyebrow.
"You said that out loud."
She froze.
Her face turned slightly red.
"I meant… friend."
"Too late."
Mia turned away dramatically.
"You're impossible."
---
They sat down on the grass afterward.
A warm breeze moved through the trees while children played nearby.
For a few minutes they simply enjoyed the quiet afternoon.
Then Mia spoke again.
"You know something?"
"What?"
"You're going to become really successful someday."
"That sounds optimistic."
"No, it's obvious."
"Why?"
"Because you always look like you're ten steps ahead of everyone else."
Anshul didn't answer immediately.
Instead he looked toward the distant skyline of San Francisco.
In a way…
She wasn't wrong.
---
Later that evening, he returned to his computer.
The market page refreshed again.
NASDAQ Composite
3,097.42
Still unstable.
Still uncertain.
He opened a new trading window.
Purchase Order
Company: NVIDIA (NVDA)
Price: $12.60
Shares: 2,000
Investment: $25,200
Order Confirmed.
Remaining Cash
$164,500
Another small step.
Another piece of the future secured.
Anshul leaned back in his chair and looked out the window again.
The quiet neighborhood looked peaceful.
But somewhere in the financial world, the foundation of the next technology revolution was forming.
And slowly…
He was building his place in it.