Meanwhile, the boatman started to move back toward his previous spot to head the boat in the direction of the settlement.
"Still now you have not returned my thing," Manu said.
"How many times do I need to repeat? First pay, then ask," the boat man replied.
"I don't have it but—" Manu was cut off.
"I know, I know. It's not the first time. I've seen many people who are confident before entering the other side; after seeing the reality they wait at the same spot the same day, and then they beg to get their things back. Okay, I'll give you a chance like I always give them. If you can arrange 150 rupees in one month, I will return your thing. If not, forget it, I am going to sell this to recover my money," the boat man said.
"What? You said 100 when we got on your boat before," Srini said.
"That was before. Now I'm giving you one month. Okay, if you pay me 100 now I will return it," the boat man said.
Manu, listening to this, got furious.
"Yes, we don't have money now. How about we trade a few things?" Manu said.
"Okay, you want to trade. What are you giving me?" the boat man man asked.
Manu took out a few nails from his bag and offered them.
"Wait—where did you get these? These types of nails are not found inside the settlement," the boat man said.
"it is none of your business If you want to exchange or not?" Manu shot back.
"This much is not enough. If you give me a few more, I'll think about it," the boat man said.
Nails are some of the important and useful things in the settlement if they are rust free means they are going to fetch a bigger amount then normal nails .
Hearing this, Srini started to remove a few nails from his bag. Manu stopped him before he could take them out.
"Give back my nails. I will see to whom and how you're going to sell my locket and recover 100 rupees," Manu said.
"You're trying to use the same trick on me. I've heard about you. You'll ask people to give money within a month; if they can't pay, you'll sell their things. If they pay, you'll ask for more. Now I'll teach you what happens when you mess with me," the Manu said.
"What are you doing? Okay, let's do it this way: I'll keep these nails, and when you have enough money, come and get your locket for 100 only. Any time you can get it," the boat man said in a sweet voice.
"No. I said give it to me," Manu replied, his voice serious.
"How about 50?" the boat man asked.
Suddenly Manu grabbed the boatman's hand and tightened his grip. The boatman's hands began to shake and the nails in his hands fell to the deck.
"Ah! What are you doing?" the boatman shouted.
"Do you think I don't know about your gang and your plan?" Manu said.
"Now, without a second thought, hand over the locket and tell the one who made this plan that I will make him pay for what he did," Manu said.
"What are you talking—ahhhhh!" the boatman cried.
Manu tightened his grip on the boatman's hand.
"Okay, okay. I will give you your thing," the boat man said.
He took the locket from his pocket and handed it to Manu. Manu released the boatman's hand; the boat man's hand was bright red.
The boatman moved back to his spot and sat to row the boat toward the settlement.
"What happened to you? What were you talking to him about?" Srini asked.
"I'll tell you later when we reach the settlement," Manu said.
They reached the settlement harbor where the boats dock, and Manu was the first to get off the boat.
"Manu, what about the nails?" Srini asked, pointing to the nails on the deck.
"They're payment for the service. Leave them and come — let's go inside the settlement," Manu said.
"What happened to him? He was fine until he got on the boat," Srini thought, and he stepped off the boat.
They walked along the settlement wall toward the place where people are lifted from the ground to the top of the wall. While walking—
"Blachhhh…" Manu retched.
Hearing the sound, Srini turned to the other side. "Manu, not again — you actually vomited. Don't worry; I'll be with you while we climb up," Srini said, turning his head toward Manu.
Manu was already on the ground, vomiting blood.