Meanwhile, Manu and Srini left the house to have some food to relieve their hunger.
On the way to the shop, Srini looked tired.
"Why is he behaving like this? He looks really exhausted. I should make him rest for a few more days," Manu thought.
"Srini, you look like your skin is glowing. Did you do something weird, or did you apply something to your face?" Manu asked, looking closely at Srini.
Then Srini seemed to regain his senses.
"No, no—what are you talking about? How could I get anything like that here?" Srini said, sweat running down his forehead.
"Why are you sweating? You're feeling okay, right?" Manu asked, placing his hand on Srini's forehead.
Srini quickly removed Manu's hand.
"I told you, I'm alright. I should be the one asking about your health, not you about mine. I'm just tired; I'll be fine if I take some rest," Srini said with a smile.
Then they both entered the 5th Street. The street was dark, with very few streetlights. When they went deeper inside, they saw a bright yellow light, and near it, many people were standing.
As they got closer, they saw people holding plates in their hands in front of a building. The interesting thing was that each plate was tied with an iron chain, and the other end was fastened to the wall of the place.
"Hey, don't push me!"
"Why are you shoving?"
"Give it to me first!"
"Don't step on my foot!"
People were shouting and arguing loudly at the spot.
"Everyone calm down! Don't shout everyone is going to get to eat!" a man said.
The man was inside the place, which looked like a small shop. He was the only one working there. On his left side was a large bowl, and beside him was a big black steel frying plate on which fish were being roasted.
The man looked quite old, with a long white beard and a rounded belly, but his eyes were kind and his face carried a gentle smile.
"I think we'll have to wait here until we get our plates," Manu said.
The man inside the shop began stirring the thick brown mixture inside the big bowl.
"Today's special is thick soup! Anyone who misses this will regret it later—come and have a taste!" the man shouted cheerfully.
People crowded around his shop as he started serving everyone what they asked for.
"Slow down, slow down! Don't push anyone! Everyone—40 coins for one small bowl of thick soup and 80 for the fish! Don't miss your chance!" the man said.
"Chacha, where did you get this soup from and also it is cheap ?" someone in the crowd asked the man.
"Why do you care? If you want, eat it. If not, leave," another person replied.
"Don't fight, just eat peacefully," Chacha said calmly.
After a while, everyone finished their food and left the place.
Then Manu and Srini walked up to the shop.
"Come, boys! Where were you the past two days? I didn't see either of you," Chacha asked.
"Rahim Chacha, actually, we went to the other side to earn some money," Manu said.
"Ohh, the other side? Wait! you what?! Are you both alright?" Rahim Chacha asked, stepping out of his shop to look at them.
"Why did you take such a risk? If you needed money, I would have helped you," Rahim Chacha said worriedly.
"Chacha, no, you don't have to worry. We're fine now—look," Srini said, stretching his arms with a smile.
"Listen, if you ever need money, you should ask me, okay? I'll help you," Rahim Chacha said firmly.
"Chacha, I know how much you struggle to earn money and live like this. You never charge high prices and always help people by feeding them — sometimes even feeding those who cannot pay, without taking a single coin," Manu taught to himself
"For both of you, I brought something special today. Come, sit inside the shop—I'll give it to you," Rahim Chacha said warmly.