Chapter 51: The Final Call
Aamir sat alone in the contestant’s waiting area, perched on a wooden table with his head resting in his hands. The quiet hum of anticipation in the arena reached his ears, muffled by the weight of his thoughts. The usual energy and adrenaline that accompanied his matches were absent, replaced by a gnawing unease that he couldn’t shake off.
Raj’s collapse lingered in his mind like an open wound. The image of his closest friend—his rival, his anchor—falling to the ground, pale and unconscious, replayed over and over. The host had announced that Raj was stable, but the uncertainty of his condition still made Aamir’s chest tighten.
Raj had always been the unshakable one, a force of nature that no obstacle could topple. Seeing him weakened had shifted something inside Aamir, as though the very foundation he stood on had been shaken.
A sudden roar of the crowd snapped him out of his thoughts, followed by the booming voice of the host.
"So, dear audience and our contestants, thank you for your patience! The wait is over! The time has come for the final round and the ultimate match of the Battle of the Top Twelve! Contestants, please come to the fighting stage!"
The crowd’s excitement was a palpable force, echoing through the walls and rattling the waiting area. Aamir could hear the cheers, the chants of his name, but they barely registered. His heart was heavy, his mind clouded.
In the quiet, sterile environment of the university hospital, Raj lay on a bed surrounded by glowing monitors displaying his vitals. The room was a stark contrast to the energy of the arena—a sanctuary of calm, yet one tinged with unease. Riya and Kunal sat beside him, their faces a mix of relief and concern.
"You really scared us back there," Riya said softly, her hands clasped tightly on her lap.
"Sorry about that," Raj replied weakly, offering a faint smile. Despite the exhaustion etched into his features, his eyes burned with a familiar intensity.
A man in a white coat stood at the foot of the bed, flipping through a glowing clipboard filled with magical readings.
"Sir," Raj said, his voice hoarse but resolute, "can you please turn on the magic panel? I want to watch my friend’s match."