The press conference had ended, but its words lingered like
sparks in the air. Both Karikalan and Elara walked away from the hall, their
minds heavy with determination. The next morning, the city awoke to the sound
of warriors training like hell.
Elara's Training
Elara began with a 5 km run, his breath steady, his body
honed like steel. After warming up, he shifted into martial arts practice — his
kicks slicing the air, his fists pounding the mats.
Elara (to himself):"He
said he would bring fear into me. Dammit… I won't allow anyone to talk like
that in front of me, not after yesterday's press conference. For the first
time, I feel perturbation before a match. But wait for me, Karikalan… I will
knock you down."
With a roar, Elara unleashed a devastating kick, shattering
a steel bar in half. The sound echoed like thunder, a declaration of his
resolve.
Karikalan's
Training
On the other side of the valley, Karikalan followed his
daily routine — a 10 km run through rugged terrain, sweat pouring down his
face. He lifted two buckets of water, carrying them from the bottom to the top
of the mountain, his muscles straining with discipline.
At the summit, he faced the bark of a massive tree. His
fists slammed into it again and again, each punch fueled by vow and
determination.
Karikalan (to himself):"Did
Elara say he would bring pain into me? He already did that five years ago. Did
he forget… or is he trying to make something even stranger? I know he is a
martial artist, but I don't care if it's talent or legacy. I will win through
hard work, discipline, and determination. Wait for me, Elara… in the match, you
will see the fear of the unknown — the dark horse's gift to you."
With a final strike, his punch split the tree, sending it
crashing to the ground. The forest echoed with his vow.
The Black Cloth Surprise
The tournament days were drawing closer, but even warriors
need moments away from the battlefield. One evening, Elara walked through the
city with his girlfriend, Rani.
Elara (curious):"Why did
you bring me here?"
Rani (smiling):
"Wait… I'll tell you after this movie."
They entered the theater, watched the film together, and
when they stepped out, the night air carried a sense of mystery. Rani held a
folded black cloth in her hands.
Rani:"Elara, I want you
to tie this over your eyes."
Elara (confused):"Why?
Is there something behind this?"
Rani (softly):"Nothing…
but yes. I'll tell you soon. For now, just trust me."
Elara thought to himself, "Why is she so eager for me to
cover my eyes? Is she planning something for me? Whatever it is, I'm eager to
know."
The Party Hall
Guided by Rani, Elara walked into a grand party hall. Music
echoed faintly, voices murmured, but he could see nothing through the black
cloth.
Elara (thinking):"Why is
she taking so much time? What's her plan today? Where is she now?"
Minutes passed. Then, suddenly, someone untied the cloth.
Voice:"Now open your
eyes and see me."
Elara blinked as the light returned. Standing before him
was Rani — but transformed. She wore a modern dress, radiant and confident, her
presence striking him like a revelation.
Elara's breath caught. For a moment, the fighter who
trained to break steel and conquer fear was stunned by something far more
delicate — love unveiled in a new form.
Elara's eyes widened as Rani stepped closer, her modern
dress shimmering under the lights. His heart raced in a way he had never felt
before.
Elara (thinking to himself):
"What is this feeling? Why am I perturbing? We love each other like any
normal day. We hang out once or thrice a week. But yet… this feeling is
strange. My heart is suddenly pumping."
Rani (softly calling):"Elara…
Elara…"
Elara snapped out of his thoughts.
Elara:"What
happened?"
Rani:"What are you
thinking about?"
Elara (hesitant):"No,
it's nothing. I was just… thinking to myself."
Rani smiled, holding out a neatly folded set of clothes.
Rani:"Now it's your
turn, Elara. Here are your clothes. Go and change."
Elara unfolded the outfit — a costly blazer integrated with
fine tailoring, far different from his usual rugged training wear.
Elara (confused, asking iteratively):"Why did we come here, Rani? Just tell me. Why are you
wearing this type of dress? Why do you want me to change clothes? What is going
to happen now?"
Rani placed her hand gently on his arm, her voice calm but
firm.
Rani:"Change your
clothes… and you will see."
Elara's mind swirled with questions, but he looked into her
eyes and saw only sincerity. Though confused, he decided to trust her. Slowly,
he walked toward the dressing room, blazer in hand, ready to change — not just
his clothes, but perhaps something deeper within himself.
Elara stepped out of the dressing room, adjusting the
costly blazer Rani had given him. As he entered the hall, the lights dimmed,
and suddenly the room erupted with cheers.
Everyone (in chorus):"Happy
Birthday, Elara!"
Crackers exploded, music filled the air, and Elara froze in
shock.
Elara (thinking to himself):
"What? Today is my birthday? How did I forget the day I was born?"
One by one, his friends came forward, wishing him
individually. The party began in full swing — singing, dancing, laughter, and
games filled the hall. Hours passed in joy, but Elara's mind was caught on
something else.
Across the room, Rani shone in her modern dress, her
grooming flawless, her presence radiant. Elara's heart pounded harder than any
training session.
Elara (thinking):"She's
so beautiful… ah… she's like a goddess in this dress. I've never seen her like
this before."
His friends noticed his distant gaze.
Friend:"Hey!
What's happening? Where are you? Are you stunned by her beauty?"
Elara quickly shook his head.
Elara:"No! Not like
that…"
But deep inside, he knew he was hiding his emotions. His
friends exchanged knowing smiles.
Friend (teasing):"We know you're
trying to hide it. But one day, you'll have to tell her the truth."
Elara frowned, curious.
Elara:"What
truth?"
Friend (serious):"Ask
her about marriage."
Elara's heart thumped like a drum, heavier than any punch
he had thrown.
Elara (thinking to himself):
"Marriage…? I want to ask her, but why does my heart feel so heavy, like
it's pounding with some invisible weight? What is this strange feeling?"
The party hall was alive with music and laughter, but
suddenly the atmosphere shifted. Everyone's eyes turned toward Elara as he
slowly walked toward Rani. His friends whispered among themselves, waiting for
the moment they had all anticipated.
Elara (hesitant):"Hey…
Rani, mmm…"
Rani turned her face toward him, her expression curious but
gentle.
Rani:"Yes, Elara? What
happened? Why doesn't your face look normal today? Do you want to say something
now?"
Elara's heart pounded like a drum. He swallowed hard, his
voice trembling.
Elara:"I just… want to
say something to you. That is…"
Rani (encouraging):"Yeah!
Tell me, Elara."
Elara stammered, his words breaking apart under the weight
of his emotions.
Elara
(hesitating):"W… w… will… will y… will y… w… y… will yo…"
Rani's patience snapped.
Rani (shouting):"Why are
you taking so long to say the sentence, you idiot?!"
The crowd gasped, but Elara clenched his fists, his courage
finally igniting.
Elara (firmly, kneeling down with closed eyes):"Why are you shouting like this? I just want to tell you
something… Will you marry me?"
The hall fell silent. Elara's voice echoed, his kneeling
figure trembling yet resolute. For the first time, the fighter who trained to
break steel with his fists was vulnerable — not to an opponent, but to love.