Karikalan's eyes snapped open, sweat dripping down his
forehead. The echoes of screams still lingered in his mind — a dream of people
crying for help. He looked around, bewildered.
Karikalan (confused, whispering):"Where am I? What happened to me? Why am I in the hospital?
Did I… win the match?"
The door creaked open. A doctor entered, clipboard in hand.
Karikalan (urgent):"Doctor!
How did I come here? Who brought me?"
The doctor sighed, his tone heavy.
Doctor:"I don't know
about your victory. You were brought here unconscious — broken ribs, bleeding
forehead, vital injuries. Normally, recovery would take six or seven months…
but your body is different. It heals faster than anyone I've seen. Two, maybe
three months, and you'll be back."
Karikalan's eyes narrowed.
Karikalan (suspicious):"I
think I've seen you before… You're the one who came late to see Pragyan's body,
making his parents wait in arrogance, aren't you?"
The doctor froze, his face turning pale.
Doctor (ashamed):"…Yes.
I was the one. That blunder cost me everything. I was suspended, fired. For six
months I wandered, searching for work. Now I'm here… but no one treats me
kindly. Every glance is filled with anger. I carry the weight of that mistake
every day."
He lowered his head, voice trembling.
Doctor:"I apologize for
what I did to you people. Now… I am living my karma."
Karikalan stared at him, silent. His body was broken, but
his spirit was unyielding. The doctor's confession was more than guilt — it was
a mirror of the world's arrogance, the same arrogance that ignored warnings,
mocked duty, and led humanity toward ruin.
The doctor's voice trembled as he confessed his past
mistake, expecting anger or condemnation. But Karikalan, lying battered on the
bed, looked at him with calm eyes.
Karikalan (gentle, firm):"It's
okay. That's fine. I've forgotten what happened. Everyone makes mistakes —
sometimes with intention, sometimes unknowingly. You made a mistake, and you
feel guilty for it. No one is perfect in this world."
The doctor's eyes widened, stunned by the compassion in
Karikalan's words.
Karikalan (continuing):"Don't
worry about the past. Learn from it and move forward. Do your duty with
passion, and one day they will acknowledge you. People will talk about this
matter for two or three months at most… then it will fade. What matters is how
you live from now on."
The room fell silent. The doctor lowered his head, tears
welling in his eyes. For the first time since his suspension, he felt the
weight of guilt lifting.
The doctor's voice trembled, still unable to comprehend why
Karikalan spoke with kindness instead of anger.
Doctor (confused, pale):"Why
are you speaking to me like this? I did wrong to you people. If it was anyone
else, they would curse me — say I'll go to hell, or that I won't live long. But
you… why don't you say that to me?"
Karikalan's eyes softened, his tone calm yet powerful.
Karikalan (firm, compassionate):"It's because you realized your mistake. You showed me
respect. Most people won't accept their guilt, nor apologize to others. But you
did. That means you have a good heart. In the past, you were driven by ego and
arrogance… but listen carefully."
He paused, his voice carrying the weight of destiny.
Karikalan:"God
gives two choices when it matters most: change yourself, or He will change your
fate. You were given the first choice — and you chose to change. That's life in
this world. We stumble, we fall, but if we rise with humility, we walk a new
path."
The doctor's eyes filled with tears. His guilt began to
dissolve, replaced by a fragile hope. In that hospital room, Karikalan was not
just a patient — he was a teacher, a warrior of spirit, guiding even those who
had wronged him.
The doctor's eyes trembled, uncertain if forgiveness was
truly possible. Karikalan leaned forward, his voice calm but resolute.
Karikalan (gentle, firm):"Even
now, if you feel guilty for your past actions… go and apologize to Pragyan's
father and mother. It's your duty."
The doctor hesitated, his voice breaking.
Doctor
(doubtful):"But… would they accept my apology?"
Karikalan's gaze was steady, his words carrying the weight
of wisdom.
Karikalan:"I don't
know. At first, they may scold you. They may reject you. But later… there is
always a possibility of change in the human heart. Because human beings are
strongly connected by feelings. One word… one sincere apology… can change
everything in a person's heart."
The doctor's eyes widened, tears forming. His guilt began
to shift into resolve. Karikalan's words were not just forgiveness — they were
a lesson in humanity, a reminder that even in a broken world, compassion could
heal wounds deeper than any injury.
The doctor bowed his head, his voice trembling with
gratitude.
Doctor (softly):"Yeah… I
will definitely do it. Thank you for accepting my apology."
He turned to leave, but paused at the door. His face grew
pale, his tone heavy.
Doctor:"Karikalan…
I just want to say something to you."
Karikalan's eyes narrowed.
Karikalan:"What is it?"
The doctor hesitated, then spoke in a whisper.
Doctor (warning):
"Be careful. Someone close to you… is trying to bury you into the ground."
Karikalan's heart raced.
Karikalan (urgent):"Who
is it? Tell me!"
The doctor shook his head, fear etched across his face.
Doctor (terrified):"For
now… I can't say his name. If I do, he will kill me. Keep this as a secret
between us."
Without another word, the doctor left the room, the door
closing with a heavy echo.
Karikalan sat in silence, his mind burning with questions.
Betrayal… from someone close. His body was broken, but his spirit sharpened.
The seeds of suspicion had been planted — and the path ahead would be darker
than he imagined.
Karikalan's eyes lit up as Richard entered the room.
Karikalan
(perturbed, eager):"Hey Richard! What happened to me? Did I win or lose
the fight?"
Richard's calm voice carried a strange hesitation.
Richard:"Mmm…
what should I say now? You won."
Karikalan's face brightened, his spirit surging.
Karikalan
(excited):"Really! I never expected that I would win the fight!"
But Richard's tone shifted.
Richard:"…But
in our hearts—"
Karikalan suddenly dropped his face in a comedic way,
realizing the truth.
Karikalan (groaning):"So
Elara won the match, huh? How?"
Richard explained softly.
Richard:"You fought
well. Everyone thought you'd be the winner. But in the end… you went
unconscious, fainted on the mat. That's why you're here in the hospital."
Karikalan clutched his hair, frustration mixing with humor.
Karikalan:"How could I
lose in such a way? Ahhh…!"
Then, with a smile, he steadied himself.
Karikalan:"It's fine. I
feel happier even in defeat. Next time, we'll win the fight."
Richard nodded, but his voice carried sadness.
Richard (quietly):"Yeah…
we will."
He turned toward the door.
Richard:"Now I'm going
to start practice for myself."
Karikalan blinked, confused.
Karikalan:"Wait,
Richard… what's happening to you?"
Richard forced a smile.
Richard:"Nothing. I'm in
a normal mood only. Why do you ask in such a way?"