January 31, 2026 

Rodrigo, now forty years old, lived in Bangalore city. He was an expert in debt recovery. He even held a revolver license. His stern face and harsh gaze unsettled anyone who crossed him. He would lay his revolver on the table, its cold presence forcing debtors to cough up money. 

Antony was a moneylender in the market. Merchants who needed capital but lacked collateral often borrowed from him at high interest. If they defaulted, Antony handed the case to private recovery agents. Rodrigo was one of them. 

Tom, the owner of a plastic factory in Kamakshi Palya, had borrowed from Antony a year earlier. Though interest was paid regularly, he failed to return the principal amount. Antony hated the defaulters. So, the recovery task fell to Rodrigo. 

Three months ago, Rodrigo threatened Tom with dire consequences. Tom promised repayment. Tom assured Rodrigo that the principal would be cleared in twelve installments, beginning in December. He agreed to prepare a draft in Antony’s name on the 20th of each month. 

Today was December 24. Tom’s first draft had not arrived. Four days earlier Rodrigo had given a piece of his mind over the phone. Tom said he would arrange some funds within next 3-4 days. But this morning, when Rodrigo called at nine, Tom was unreachable. The debtor ignored and avoided his call. Rodrigo’s suspicion grew. 

Rodrigo lived in Frazer Town. He decided to visit the factory in Kamakshi Palya, a fifty-minute drive away. He placed his revolver in the dashboard compartment and drove off. 

Traffic was heavy. At the factory gate, Rodrigo found it locked. The security cabin was empty. He walked to the neighboring carpet factory and asked a guard. 

“Is the plastic factory closed for Christmas?” Rodrigo asked. 

“It’s been shut for a month, sir,” the guard replied. “Workers weren’t paid. The security staff stayed until last week, but now even he is missing.” 

Frustrated, Rodrigo returned to his car. Tom’s house was in Domlur. Rodrigo knew the address. Rodrigo had no family of his own to celebrate Christmas with. He had married twelve years ago but separated within a year. Thereafter he never thought about marriage again. Every December 25, Antony invited him for lunch. Without Tom’s draft, Rodrigo wasn’t ready to face Antony. 

He ate at a roadside restaurant and reached Domlur by three. After crossing Tom’s gate, Rodrigo knocked on the entrance door. No response. He peered through the window. The place appeared empty. A middle-aged woman in the neighboring compound noticed him. 

“They left this morning with suitcases,” she said. “The whole family went away around nine.” 

Suitcases? Where did Tom go with his family? Rodrigo panicked. He opened his phone’s tracking app. Tom’s phone signal showed movement from Bandipur towards Ooty. So, Tom’s family had gone to Ooty for Christmas? Rodrigo realized perhaps he had been tricked. 

“Merry Christmas, Mr. Tom,” Rodrigo muttered. “I’ll join your celebration tonight in Ooty. We’ll celebrate together.” 

The journey from Bangalore to Bandipur took about four hours, with another two needed to reach Ooty. Since the forest road closed nightly from 9 pm to 6 am, Rodrigo hurried through Mysore, refueled, and entered Bandipur before the cutoff. By seven o’clock, night had already fallen, the forest wrapped in shadow beneath the rising moon. 

Roaring beasts, shrill insects, and rustling foliage filled the night air. Then, in a flash, a wild boar burst onto the road. Rodrigo braked hard; the vehicle skidded, twisted, and slammed into a tree at the curve. 

Blood trickled from his forehead. Dizzy, he tried to crawl out, but his right leg was trapped. 

“Hey, let me help you,” said a stranger, pulling him out. 

Rodrigo collapsed into the man’s arms. 

“I’m Dr. Simon,” the stranger said. “I was driving behind you. These forest roads are dangerous at night.” 

“……….” 

“My parents live in Ooty. We’re celebrating Christmas there. My family went ahead last week. I stayed back for duty.” Simon continued while placing Rodrigo in his jeep. 

“My name is Rodrigo,” he reluctantly said, “I am on my way to Ooty on urgent work.” He regretted leaving his revolver and phone in the wrecked car. 

“If you have no one, you may stay with us tonight,” Simon offered. 

By nine o’clock, they arrived at Simon’s parents’ home. The domestic helper welcomed them, explaining that the family was away at evening mass. Inside, the house shimmered with Christmas lights, a decorated tree, and festive ornaments. Rodrigo’s gaze settled on a wall of framed photographs, among which he recognized Tom’s family. Simon patiently introduced each face, his grandparents, parents, sister’s family, his own, and that of his elder brother. 

“This is my elder brother Tom,” Simon explained. “That’s his wife and children.” 

Rodrigo was stunned. Fate had brought him straight to the debtor’s family. Simon dressed Rodrigo’s wounds and gave him a shirt. He showed him the guest room to freshen up and rest. Rodrigo stepped out of the room when he heard the commotion. 

Soon family members arrived from St. Stephen’s Church. Children played, elders laughed, and Rodrigo stepped outside. He saw Tom’s smiling face among them, which slowly turned pale. Simon introduced Rodrigo to everyone. 

“If the doctor hadn’t appeared, I might have been eaten by wild animals,” Rodrigo admitted gravely. 

“Merry Christmas,” everyone chorused, embracing him warmly. Rodrigo felt an unexpected surge of emotion. 

“Please don’t create drama here,” Tom leaned close and whispered quickly into Rodrigo’s ear. 

Drinks and starters were arranged. With a glass of whisky in hand, Rodrigo leaned on Tom’s shoulder for support. His injured leg troubled him. Together they stepped outside the house. 

“You haven’t kept your promise,” Rodrigo’s voice faltered. “Antony won’t wait. This relationship is turning violent. I can sense it. What exactly are you planning?” 

“The money hasn’t come through,” Tom admitted, his voice breaking. “My plastic factory has shut down. Demand for plastic bags collapsed, so I planned a paper-bag project. Machinery had to be purchased, which drained me. I left town with my family not to escape, but to give my children a joyful Christmas.” 

“Joy and peace are precious,” Rodrigo’s eyes softened. “I can see you care for your wife and children.” 

“Nothing in life comes free,” Tom sighed. “That’s the truth I know. Shall we discuss this in detail later?” 

“Can you pledge collateral to Antony?” Rodrigo asked, sipping his whisky. “Do you have factory documents?” 

“They’re under the bank’s control.” 

“You mentioned a plot in Whitefield. Why not sell it and clear Antony’s debt?” 

“I’ll try. But someone has encroached on that land. If you help me, I can free it.” 

“Then first, hand me your family’s passports,” Rodrigo demanded. “I need something to assure Antony.” 

Tom opened his mouth to reply, but at that moment Dr. Simon appeared at the door. 

“What are you whispering about in this cold darkness? Dinner is ready. Everyone is waiting,” Simon announced. 

Around the dining table, the family stood together. Tom’s father requested Rodrigo to join them. For the first time in his life, Rodrigo felt welcomed. His hardened shell began to crack. 

After dinner, he retired to the guest room, switched off the light, and lay down. 

At midnight, the church bells rang. 

“Merry Christmas,” Rodrigo whispered, the words tasting strange on his lips. The sight of children playing around the Christmas tree filled his mind. Childhood innocence returned to him, softening his harsh life. The prayer of Christmas, the touch of joy and peace, flowed through his veins. 

For years Rodrigo had earned money by recovering debts from the suffering of others. He had never given anything back. Tonight, he had escaped death. Tonight was no longer about recovery. It was about redemption. 

He felt a strange urge to help Tom. Clearing Antony’s December installment was now his own responsibility. If Tom’s Whitefield land was encroached, Rodrigo would personally fight to free it. That was his silent resolve. If he succeeded, the rest of the installments could be managed. 

Sitting with Tom’s family, Rodrigo’s heart grew lighter. That night, he fell asleep with unusual calm. A knock on the door woke him. He opened his eyes to daylight streaming through the window. 

“Good morning,” Dr. Simon greeted. “You slept late. I’ve just returned from morning mass. We will have to inform the police about your car accident. A towing company should be called to your vehicle to the garage. I’ll stay in Ooty for a week. What are your plans? What about your work in Ooty? When do you plan to return to Bangalore?” 

“Is Tom going back to Bangalore today?” Rodrigo asked. “If so, I’ll travel with him.” 

“Tom?” Simon sighed deeply. “He shocked us all this morning. He revealed that he and his family are leaving the country. They left for Bangalore at dawn. They have an evening flight to Toronto. For two years they’ve been preparing Canadian migration documents. We only learned today. He secretly sold his house, land, and factory. Who hides such a huge decision from loved ones?” 

Rodrigo stood silent, the weight of revelation pressing on him. The man he had chased through debts and threats had already escaped. Tom would soon be gone, beyond reach, beyond recovery!