As long as you are breathing

The Cross Style Martial Arts Event

Though his dad’s frown was still present, it was apparent that he calmed down a tiny bit.

“Mom needs 4 million dollar for her treatment. Her condition is deteriorating every day. You can’t get that amount of money by saving electricity bills and food costs. Your salary isn’t enough,” he replied.

“That is why we need you to study and get good grades so that you can get a better job and more money,” his dad replied.

“We don’t have time for that dad. This method is more immediate,” he argued.

“Well, you are still 19. Your mom is 37. You have a long life ahead of you, don’t waste it like this!” his dad stood up.

Silence prevailed in the room as his dad started to contemplate what he just said. He then started to leave slowly.

“I think your sister wants to talk to you. She has been peeking at us from the gate for a long time,” his dad said after which the sound of the faintly open door closing became apparent.

“It's okay, Anbar. Come in,” Kalil said.

A 17-year-old girl with a ponytail entered the room. Her black bubbly eyes shook when she saw her brother in the hospital bed. She poked two of her fingers with each other as she saw her dad leave.

As soon as her dad took a step outside Kalil said, “Remember this dad, as long as you breathe, you are alive. As long as you are alive, you have hope. And as you have hope, you have to keep on moving forward. I am not going to give up on mom. She is still alive, she has hope!”

His dad didn’t respond to that and left. Her sister sat on the chair beside her.

“At least listen to your coach. He is among the 12 greatest Muay Thai coaches in the world. Your style is clearly not better than his,” she said, “I can say that even with no experience in fighting.”

“Anbar, I realized that this fighting game is all about attention. Yeah, I will admit I got too desperate to win and went a bit reckless but this will work in my favor.”

“But you have to stay in hospital for at least six months. You could have had three fights by now if you weren’t as reckless,” she said.

“Haha, just wait and watch, I have a plan. And don’t worry, it’s not another reckless one,” concluded Kalil.

A few weeks later, the coach appeared at the hospital.

“We have received an amazing offer for you!” said the coach, “There is a cross martial arts event that is going to be held at the end of the year. And you have been invited to fight as one of the representatives of Muay Thai. This is marvelous!”

“I know, and I will be fighting a karate guy, aren’t I?” Kalil replied.

“How did you- But- This isn’t in any media yet. How did you know?” his coach stuttered in shock.

“The karate practitioner is my old friend Zahid. We both planned it out,” he said.

The coach stared at Kalil expecting more explanation.

Kalil continued, “He knew about this cross martial arts event as he is somehow related to its organizer. And I asked him if I can participate. He said he will try to convince them. He wanted to let me fight a different opponent in the event so that he can win his money and I can win mine. But being Zahid’s friend isn’t much of a reason.”

“Then how did he convince them?” the coach asked.

“Well, he convinced his coach by saying that he is confident that I am a fighter he can beat. But for convincing the organizer, he would need my help. He would need me to be a fighter people would pay to watch. And my last match did just that.”

“That was excellent strategy!” one of his teammates exclaimed, “Instead of fighting for about one and a half thousand dollars, you can now sit on the hospital bed and have your friend give away twenty thousand dollars.”

Suddenly a heavy atmosphere surrounded Kalil and his coach. His teammate shut his mouth fearing that he might have said something wrong.

“I would not say ‘give away twenty thousand dollars.’ The only favor he did as a friend was arranging a fight for me in such a memorable event,” Kalil answered.

“Excellent! I wouldn’t allow my students to fight a free winning fight anyway,” his coach added.

“But you don’t seem to be in a condition for training, do you think you can fight without training once? Your fight is literally a week after your hospital leave,” asked his teammate.

“Don’t worry, I have two advantages here,” explained Kalil, “First is that Zahed’s signature attack is a straight punch to the solar plexus. So, I can spend my hospital hours with crunches.

Secondly, he is probably training for the wrong person. He is training for the desperately aggressive fighter he saw in my last match. But I will be fighting as the tactician coach Abbas taught me to be,” explained Kalil.

“This has been well thought out, Kalil,” praised the coach, “I am proud of you.”

Six months passed with Kalil dedicating himself to only abs exercise. His family came to receive him in the hospital.

“What? He already left?!” his dad exclaimed.

“Why do I have a feeling I know where he is?” his sister added.

They entered the gym with the rhythmic sound of heavy bags being hit. Kalil was among those heaters.

“As expected he came to the gym before his home,” his dad sighed.

“He said he needed to review his style enough to get himself into his rhythm again,” the coach interfered.

But three days before the fight, he received a text from Zahed telling him to meet him in a certain location.

“What’s up Zahed? Nervous?” asked Kalil.

“No. But what I am about to say might make you think I am,” said Zahed.

“Go ahead,” said Kalil.

“Have you ever heard of WIC?” Zahed asked.

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