Athavan was on his way back home from the temple when he saw Vasanthan collapsed on the staircase landing. His instincts kicked in instantly. Rushing to Vasanthan's side, he checked his pulse and breathing. The signs were clear to him—Vasanthan was experiencing a minor heart attack. Calm under pressure, Athavan reacted without hesitation. He lifted the unconscious man effortlessly, carrying seventy kilograms as if it were weightless, and sprinted up the stairs like a cheetah.
Neighbors who witnessed the scene stood frozen, mouths agape. A few exchanged wary glances, unsure whether they had just seen a rescue or something out of a spiritual action movie.
Athavan ignored the stares and kicked the door open with his foot, gently placing Vasanthan on the living room floor.
Archana gasped, eyes widening in horror. "Aiyyo! What happened?!"
"Atte! Get me a bowl of hot water and a towel. Quickly!" Athavan barked.
Still shaken, Archana nodded and bolted toward the kitchen. On instinct, she grabbed her phone and frantically dialed her daughter.
"Hello? Dhiviya?! Come home fast! Something's wrong with Appa! Maapilai brought him back—he's doing something! I don't know what, I'm so scared!"
"Mom! Slow down! What do you mean something's wrong? What happened?!"
"He is unconscious! And Maapilai... he's doing something strange, like pressing him everywhere... I don't understand!"
"I'm coming right now! Where's Guna?!" Dhiviya demanded.
"I don't know! I'll try calling him again!"
Meanwhile, Athavan found a bottle of chest pain medication in Vasanthan's pocket. He placed a tablet under the older man's tongue, adjusted his position to improve circulation, and began working with swift, expert hands.
With Vasanthan's shirt removed, Athavan applied firm pressure to various points on his chest and back. His movements were precise and rhythmic, resembling something between martial arts and traditional healing.
Archana peeked from the kitchen, heart pounding. She couldn't look away. The sight of her son-in-law working with such intensity and control was mesmerizing.
Within minutes, Vasanthan stirred. His eyes fluttered open.
"Mama, take it easy. Don't move too much. You had a minor heart attack," Athavan said softly, helping him sit upright. "Let's keep your body steady."
Archana rushed to his side, tears threatening to spill. "Oh my god! Should I call an ambulance now?!"
"No need," Athavan said. His voice was steady. Firm.
He rolled up Vasanthan's pant legs. "This will hurt a little. But I need to open your lower nerve channels. Please bear it."
Vasanthan gave a weak nod.
Athavan soaked the towel in hot water and began a deep-tissue massage focused on the thighs and calves. He pressed into critical nerve points with the accuracy of someone who had done it hundreds of times.
Archana, still overwhelmed, redialed Dhiviya.
"Dhiviya! He says Appa had a heart attack!"
"What?! Are you serious?! I'm calling an ambulance now. Guna's on his way too. Don't panic, Amma."
"But he said no need for an ambulance..."
"What does he know?! Is he even trained?! Appa was unconscious!"
"But Appa's awake now. He's sitting. He's... massaging his legs."
Silence on the line. Then: "He's awake? Wait till Guna gets there. Tell him to call me."
Seconds later, the front door slammed open.
"WHAT HAPPENED TO APPA?!" Guna yelled, his eyes scanning the scene.
Archana shoved the phone into his hand. "Talk to your sister."
Still processing the bizarre sight before him, Guna answered. "Akka. Yeah... he looks okay. Weak, but awake. Didn't expect that."
"I'm five minutes away. Don't let them move. We're taking him to the clinic."
Guna lowered the phone slowly, his eyes fixed on Athavan, who was still working with unwavering focus.
He muttered under his breath, "What is this guy even doing? Is this some yogi-level CPR or what?"
Athavan looked up. "Pour that water out. Bring a fresh bowl. Also, get a glass of warm water for Mama."
Guna hesitated, but obeyed. Something in Athavan's tone demanded action.
As he returned, Athavan fixed his gaze on Vasanthan.
"You have three arterial blockages. You're at very high risk. It's good that you stopped drinking and smoking—but doing it so suddenly may have triggered this attack."
He paused, placing two fingers on Vasanthan's wrist, checking his pulse again.
"Your body wasn't prepared for the abrupt withdrawal. No gradual detox. No mental conditioning. The system went into shock. But don't worry… your vitals are stabilizing."
"Don't burden your mind, Mama. Stay calm. The mind commands the body more than you realize."
He gave Vasanthan's shoulder a reassuring tap, then turned to grab a dining chair and placed it firmly in the center of the room.
"Mama, please sit here. Turn your back to me."
Guna returned, balancing the bowl and glass of water. He raised an eyebrow, still baffled by everything unfolding.
Athavan took the glass from him and gently placed it on the floor. Then he nodded toward Guna.
"Stand in front of Mama. Hold the bowl right here—just below his face."
"What now? Back massage? Spa day during a heart attack?" Guna muttered internally, shooting Athavan a skeptical look as he obeyed.
Athavan took a deep breath and flowed into a martial stance—graceful, controlled, like a kata practiced a thousand times.
Then, in one precise motion, he struck a point on Vasanthan's back.
SMACK!
Vasanthan convulsed violently, coughing up a mouthful of thick, dark blood.
"OH MY GOD!" Archana screamed.
Guna got hit square in the face. The rest splattered into the bowl.
"What the hell?!" Guna gagged, stumbling backward, furiously wiping his face.
Athavan remained completely unfazed. He picked up the warm water, took a calming sip, then passed it to Vasanthan.
"Gargle. Rinse. You'll feel better."
Vasanthan obeyed. His chest rose and fell more easily now, the tightness in his face beginning to ease.
"Are you alright?" Archana whispered, clutching his hand.
He nodded slowly. "I… feel lighter. The pressure's gone."
"WHAT did you do to him?!" Guna barked, still furious, his shirt soaked and eyes wide.
"Wash your face," Athavan said coolly. "That blood is toxic. Could harm you."
Guna was about to erupt again when his phone rang.
He checked the caller. Dhiviya.
He picked up and screamed, "DHIVIYA, I'M GOING TO KILL YOUR HUSBAND!!!"
The End.
Hindu Mythological / Cultural / Belief References – Chapter 5
Ayurveda (Ayur = Life, Veda = Knowledge)
Ayurveda is one of the world's oldest holistic healing systems, originating in India over 3,000 years ago. It focuses on balancing the mind, body, and spirit through natural methods—diet, herbs, massage, and energy flow. In emergencies, trained Ayurvedic healers could stabilize patients using marma (vital point) therapy and detox practices, just like Athavan's actions here.
Marma Chikitsa (Vital Point Therapy)
This ancient healing technique involves stimulating 107 key marma points—locations where flesh, veins, arteries, tendons, bones, and joints meet. Activating these points restores prana (life energy), and in cases of heart-related conditions, specific marma can be used to stimulate blood flow and balance the nervous system. Athavan's pressing and strikes mirror this sacred tradition.
Blood Purge Detox (Ama Removal)
In Ayurvedic and yogic traditions, the presence of ama (toxic residue from poor diet, stress, or lifestyle) is considered a root cause of disease. The dark blood Vasanthan vomits symbolizes the purging of deep-seated toxins—physically and energetically. Such intense expulsion aligns with rare detox treatments meant to shock the system into rebooting.
Breath & Pulse Reading (Nadi Pariksha)
Nadi Pariksha is a sophisticated diagnostic practice in Ayurveda, where a healer reads a person's pulse to detect imbalances in doshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha). Athavan's calm pulse checks and energetic read of Vasanthan's internal condition reflect the intuition and precision of an advanced practitioner.
Kata & Kalaripayattu – Martial-Healing Traditions
Athavan's precise movements resemble kata, a term used in both Indian and East Asian martial arts to describe choreographed sequences of defensive and offensive techniques. In South India, warrior-saints trained in Kalaripayattu, one of the world's oldest martial arts. It combines physical combat, pressure-point healing, yoga, and spiritual practice.
His calm, focused strikes and flowing stances evoke this tradition—where warriors were also healers, trained to mend what they could destroy. The strike that triggers Vasanthan's detox isn't just force—it's centuries-old knowledge channeled through discipline and purpose.