Ruined the Reputation

Netra:

Akshay slept but I couldn't. I went onto the balcony thinking about all the happenings. As it's a full moon day, the moon light gave a sort of peace to my heart. I stared at the full moon for sometime.

Akshay and Sadhana are right from their perspectives. When Jeevith sent that call recording, I was angry with Sadhana and felt that she betrayed Akshay. That's why I revealed it to Akshay. But, after thinking, I was able to see the situation from a different perspective. Sharing our pain with someone can never become a betrayal. But how can I make Sadhana understand this? Moreover Sadhana would misunderstand me if I meet her to talk because it's me who told this to Akshay. I complicated the situation. So, I should be the one who clears this misunderstanding. I should wait for the right time to reconcile these siblings again.

After two days, Akshay came home late at midnight. I served the dinner to him.

"Netra, I want to say something to you."

I looked at Akshay.

"I should bring Sadhana to our home for a few days. This case has a lot mystery and I got information that to stop me, they are trying to target the people who are close to me. Even Sadhana is in danger because of me. Though I feel that she is no more my sister, still I can't leave her like that because she is in trouble because of me."

"Thank God. Atleast now you have realized that Sadhana is one among those few people who are close to you," I said.

"That's in the past," Akshay said.

"Wow. Ok then leave her. However you know that she betrayed you. She shared your stuff with your enemy. So even now she may do the same. She may support and help your enemies. So, I don't think your enemies will target her because she is also your enemy," I said.

"No, she would never help my enemies," Akshay shouted, making me smile.

"Yeah, a sister can never support the enemies of her brother," I said.

Akshay glared at me.

"I have absolutely no objection if you bring your sister to our home," I said.

"But Akshay, do you think Sadhana will come here again that too when she knows that you don't love your sister anymore?"

"She should come here, that's it," Akshay said.

"You would never change. Are you going to force her to come here?"

"I can do anything."

"How could you force her to come here? What right do you have to do that and moreover who are you to bring her here against her wish? The government didn't give any right to the Home Minister to force the citizens as per his wish," I said teasing him.

"Do you think Sadhana would ask this question to me?" Akshay said.

"How would I know? You should know your sister better."

"She would talk in this way for sure. Because she has too much of attitude."

"Wow, that's great! So she has all the qualities of her brother," I said.

"Who is her brother?"

"You should know that," I said and went to the kitchen. I know Akshay is angry but this is so funny to me. This Akshay loves everyone but can't express it well. He shows his love in the form of authority and anger. That's why it's tough to understand him.

After two days, Akshay brought Sadhana to our home. I smiled at Sadhana but she didn't respond to me. I don't know when will I patch up with this girl and how to make these brother and sister patch up with each other. But I am sure I will do something that sets everything in my family. Yes, I accepted Sadhana as a part of our family. I went to Akshay.

"How did you make Sadhana come to our home? By any chance, did you request or apologise your sister?" I said.

"Enough, Netra. I told you already that she is not my sister and I never request anyone," Akshay said.

"Then how did she agree to come here?" I said and Akshay told me how he brought her here.

Akshay:

I don't know what's so funny for Netra in this. She is damn curious to know what happened there. I remembered what happened there while telling the same to Netra. I went to Sadhana and she was in shock seeing me there.

"Shall I come in?" I said.

"Please come in, bhaiya," Sadhana said and I glared at her.

"Come in, Akshay sir," Sadhana said.

"That's better," I said.

I sat on the chair and she brought coffee for me.

"No formalities please. I have something to talk to you," I said.

"Tell me, sir," Sadhana said.

"See, you have heard about this mysterious case. I got some confidential information regarding that and the enemies are trying to target the people who are close to me," I said.

"What should I do in this?" Sadhana said as if she didn't get me.

"They may target you too. It's not safe for you to stay here. Pack your clothes and come with me. You are going to stay in my house until all this gets solved."

"But I am not your family and not even close to you. Why should I come with you?" Sadhana said.

"You are coming with me because I am telling you to come. Now are you going to ask me that who am I to ask you to come with me?" I said seriously.

"I know who are you to me. But I need sometime to think," Sadhana said.

"Go and pack your luggage right now without any argument. If you have any respect for your brother, just start right now with me," I said and I wondered why did I say that.

Sadhana nodded and immediately started with me. I told the same to Netra and she started laughing at me.

"What's so funny in this for you?"

"Don't you understand? The different siblings I have ever seen," Netra said.

"I said she is not my sister," I said.

"Yes and you also said that you are her brother," Netra said laughing again.

"Did she eat anything?"

"I don't know and it doesn't matter to me. I am not a servant for her. You should take care of your sister," Netra said.

"Oh sorry. I forgot that she is not your sister but you are her brother. Take care of her as a brother," Netra said and went downstairs.

I went to Sadhana.

"Did you eat anything?"

"I ordered pizza," Sadhana said, triggering my anger.

"What's the need of ordering food from outside? Can't you eat here?"

"This is not my home to go and serve food by myself. Moreover I don't want to burden you and depend on you. I am an independent girl and I can handle everything," Sadhana said.

I don't understand her attitude. Let her do whatever makes her comfortable and it's just a matter of a few days. I went back to my room.

"What did Sadhana say?" Netra said.

"She ordered food from outside," I said and Netra laughed again. I glared at her.

"You both have the problem of ego. Didn't you ask her to have food here?"

"I didn't say anything. Let her do whatever she wants to do," I said.

"Akshay, please don't make it more complicated. Go and have a talk to her. Talk openly. Confront her if you want. Tell her what hurt you and why are you angry with her. Avoiding misunderstanding through the communication is better than avoiding the person," Netra said.

"I don't want to talk anything to her. I read her conversations with her friends about me. She ruined my reputation."

"Read her conversation? Did you hack her phone?" Netra said.

"For her safety, I did that when she stopped talking to me and I found these
conversations," I said.

"Akshay, she has the right to share her feelings and pain with her friends. There's nothing wrong in it. You are seeing it as the unforgivable mistake but no it is not. She can't share her pain standing in front of a mirror. What she did is something every human would do. Everyone would share their pain or happiness with their close circle. You are thinking about your image and reputation but forgot the pain she experienced which made her to share it with them. Try to understand," Netra said.

Netra can't understand me. Sadhana insulted and degraded me before others. I have a good name as a Minister and am an inspiration to many. But because of this, I became a villain in her circle. They will think that as a Minister I preach a lot but if it comes to my personal life, I couldn't handle it well. It doesn't matter whether Sadhana did it intentionally or unintentionally, but she ruined my reputation. Reputation and people's faith are necessary for a politician and I lost it because of her. She behaved as my enemy but not as a sister. Now I really don't love Sadhana as my sister and it's hurting me too.