When Sai Baba says his Guru asked him for 'two paise', what did he actually mean? Was it real money?

No, the 'two paise' were not literal currency. In Chapter 19, Sai Baba clarifies that his Guru was 'Purnakam' (one whose desires were fulfilled) and had no need for worldly money. The request was a spiritual metaphor. The two paise represented 'Nishtha' (Faith) and 'Saburi' (Patience). Baba explains, "Faith (Nishtha) and Patience (Saburi)—these were the two paise, nothing else; I gave them to him then and there, and thus my Guru-Mother was pleased with me." This offering was the true currency the Guru desired, signifying the disciple's complete surrender and commitment to the spiritual path.