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Story : Kumar confronts Mrudul
Kumar was a forty-something corporate shark in Bengaluru, driven by an insatiable hunger for success. Despite being married with children, his obsession with power and attention made him a textbook narcissist from a young age. He dreamed of becoming CEO of his company, and nothing would stand in his way. But even the most successful men can't escape Karma's boomerang, as Kumar soon learns when he sees a former classmate with a scowl on his face. The universe seemed to have it out for him and he had no idea what was coming next.

Kumar's memories came flooding back when he saw Mrudul after so many years, igniting a fiery sensation inside him. Back in their school days, Mrudul had been one of Kumar's classmates. As their eyes met for a brief moment, Kumar couldn't help but feel a sense of fear as he caught the menacing glare in Mrudul's eyes. The rest of his walk to the office was filled with old memories that lay dormant in his mind, now reawakened and haunting him like vengeful spirits. Anxious thoughts swirled in his head, causing him to break out into a sweat and flush red by the time he reached the elevator. In contrast to Kumar's outgoing and confident personality, Mrudul had always been quiet, studious, and laidback. These qualities made him an easy target for bullies, who took advantage of his meek nature and overweight appearance. Years of enduring various forms of bullying only intensified Mrudul's daily nightmares at school, leading him to skip classes and ultimately resulting in a decline in his grades.


Kumar was the ringleader of Mrudul's tormentors, his twisted mind always finding new ways to inflict pain and humiliation on the innocent boy. No matter how much Mrudul tried to avoid him, Kumar delighted in stalking and taunting him at every opportunity. But his sadistic tendencies reached a whole new level when, during a Chemistry practical, he secretly added a toxic substance to the mixture on Mrudul's desk. The unsuspecting victim had no idea of the danger lurking just inches from his hands, as Kumar watched with sickening glee.


The chemical mixture bubbled and hissed as Mrudul poured it into the beaker, but he didn't realize that someone had tampered with it until it was too late. In a sudden explosion, hot chemicals erupted from the beaker and splattered all over Mrudul's desk and lower arms. The pain was searing, and he could feel his skin blistering under the scalding liquids. He was quickly rushed to the hospital, but the aftermath of the incident was devastating - he was no longer allowed to participate in Chemistry practicals, his passion and dream for the subject shattered. But worse than that, Zaid, the only person he trusted, revealed that it was Kumar who had sabotaged his experiment.

Enraged and desperate for justice, Mrudul confronted Kumar in front of their school lobby. He knew he was outnumbered by Kumar's gang and lacked self-confidence, but he couldn't stand the thought of letting Kumar get away with his evil actions. As soon as they started laughing at him like cruel devils, Mrudul felt a surge of anger boiling inside him. Despite being surrounded on all sides, he lunged at Kumar with a furious determination. But it was no use - Kumar and his gang were ruthless in their attack. Blows rained down on Mrudul from every direction - slaps, punches, kicks - each one fueling his rage even more. It was a vicious cycle of pain and fury until finally, Mrudul collapsed under the weight of their relentless assault.

Filled with fear and desperation, Mrudul's parents made the decision to move far away from that toxic environment for the safety of their only child. No one knew where Mrudul went after leaving that school. But as he was about to leave, he caught a glimpse of Kumar and his gang grinning in the school lobby.

Rage boiled within Mrudul as he pointed an accusing finger at Kumar and shouted, "I'll come back stronger than you ever imagined, you monster! Remember my words!" The mocking laughter of Kumar and his friends only fueled Mrudul's anger, as he left that school, and that city forever.

Years after their fateful encounter, Mrudul returned to torment Kumar. As if by a cruel twist of fate, he has transformed into a formidable titan, radiating an intense aura of power and danger that leaves everyone trembling in fear. His towering height, chiseled muscles, rugged features, and thick beard only add to his already imposing presence. Not only was he physically intimidating, but his sharp intellect, unmatched abilities, and twisted sense of humor make him the ultimate sigma-male - untouchable and irresistibly alluring to every woman in the office.

Kumar's heart raced with unease as he watched the man, his nemesis, across the luxurious cafeteria of their corporate park. The mere sight of him sent shivers down his spine and filled him with a sense of impending doom. As if that wasn't enough, he spotted him again at the gym a few days later, sending Kumar into a state of constant anxiety and paranoia. For the first time in his life, the usually confident Kumar was consumed by guilt and began to question his past actions. But it was too late for redemption as he spiraled into a world of fear and worry, unable to focus on anything but the haunting memories. Soon, panic attacks plague him at work, rendering him almost useless in a job he once excelled at.

Months later, Kumar received a letter from his boss, urging to meet the latter inside his cabin. Kumar's boss sat across from him, a concerned expression etched on his face. "Kumar, we've noticed that your work and behavior have been suffering lately. We can't have that affecting the productivity of our company. I'm giving you a two-week leave to rest, relax, and spend time with your family. When you come back, I expect you to be in a much better condition." Kumar nodded gratefully as he stood up to shake his boss's hand before leaving the office.

Kumar stumbled out of the corporate park, his mind a whirlwind of anxious memories and past mistakes. Each step felt like a burden as he trudged through the familiar streets, the weight of his past karma crushing him with every passing second. Suddenly, a wave of panic crashed over him, intensifying into a searing pain in his chest. He clutched at his heart, struggling to breathe as he collapsed onto the busy main road, gasping for air amidst the chaos and blaring horns.

As soon as Kumar collapsed, a swarm of people in business attire surrounded him. They urgently escorted him to the on-site hospital within the park. Kumar’s life was saved with the swift action and expertise of the newest medical practitioner in that hospital, Mrudul!

Kumar's eyes fluttered open and he took in his surroundings. The sterile smell of a hospital filled his nose and the soft beeping of machines filled his ears. As he focused, he saw his wife sitting next to him, holding his hand, her eyes red from crying. His children were curled up on chairs nearby, asleep. And then he saw Mrudul, standing by the doorway, dressed in blue scrubs and smiling at him.

"Hey man, glad to see you awake," Mrudul said with a chuckle. "Do you remember me? I'm that fat, shy kid who used to get bullied by you and your gang in high school."

Kumar's memories came rushing back as he nodded weakly. He remembered teasing Mrudul and feeling powerful in front of his friends. But now, lying helpless in a hospital bed, he felt ashamed.

His wife spoke up after Mrudul's introduction. "Honey, you've been resting for hours now. When Mrudul called me saying what happened, I rushed here with our kids. He and his team have gone over all your test results and everything looks normal. It was just a panic attack."

She turned to Mrudul with a grateful smile. "Thank you so much for calling us and for taking care of Kumar. I didn't know you two were classmates back then."

Kumar's life was finally at peace, a stark contrast to the chaos and destruction he had caused in his past. With each passing day, his heart grew lighter as he repented for his sins and embraced the second chance he had been given. Years later, Kumar and Mrudul were no longer just friends, but their families too had formed an unbreakable bond. They shared a life filled with joy, prosperity and most importantly, love for one another.


© Kishan Trivedi

#writcostory #fiction