"What… what are you saying? Why am I going to die? What did you do to me?" Manu said.
Then he started checking around his body, but everything seemed fine.
"Did you eat anything strange—? Okay, leave it. You won't understand," Dr. Sajjan said calmly.
"There's a poison inside your body. The poison will corrode you from the inside. After twenty days, if you're still alive, think of it as a bonus. But if you don't want to live twenty days, you can use your power. Using it will shorten your time even more. It's your choice," Dr . Sajjan said
"Wait—how do you know about my power? I didn't tell anybody!" Manu asked, shocked.
"Now you're coming to the real topic," Dr. Sajjan replied. "Not just the power, I also know that you also ate the heart of an evolved animal."
"Wait… how does he know everything that happened to me? What if he's working with Arvind and trying to harm us?" Manu thought.
"Wait Srini may have told you ! Are you deceiving us to get money?" Manu said angrily as he started to get down from the bed.
Sigh… "Most of the payment has already been made to me—some in items, a little in cash. I just need a small remaining amount," Dr. Sajjan said.
"And as for how I know about your condition—you can check your chest. There are black spots that look like thin vines. Don't use your power thinking you're strong and unstoppable. If you show off, you'll only lose your time."
Manu looked down at his chest—and yes, there were black marks, thin and winding like vines.
"And one last thing," Dr. Sajjan added, standing up.
"Don't use your power. If you do, those vines will spread all over your body—and then you'll die."
"Wait… did you tell this to Srini?" Manu asked.
"No. Is he your brother?" Dr. Sajjan asked.
"My friend," Manu said.
Dr. Sajjan smiled faintly and said something in a low voice—"%$#$%$#"—words too soft to hear. Then he turned and left the hall.
"Is he telling the truth? Do I really have only twenty days? Or is he lying to use me?" Manu thought. "But what would he gain by lying? He didn't seem like someone who would. I… I ate that heart to save Srini. No, I shouldn't regret it. I need to do something meaningful before I die. I have to leave something behind for Srini—to make sure he can live without worries. I should see this as an opportunity, not a curse."
Outside, after closing the door, Dr. Sajjan saw Srini walking toward him, holding his folded left arm elbow with his right hand.
Srini came near and said, "I did what you told me."
"Good," Dr. Sajjan replied. "But you still need to come back when I call you to the hospital."
"How is Manu's condition? He's alright, right?" Srini asked.
"He needs rest at home. Take him there—he'll be fine for now," Dr. Sajjan said.
"Thank you for your help. I'll take him home," Srini said and walked away toward Manu.
Sigh… "You came to me like a lucky charm when I needed you," Dr. Sajjan thought as he watched Srini go. "If fate leads you down this path, I can't change it. I can only move forward with my own life."