It was raining heavily outside. Arjun stood by the window, watching the raindrops trickle down the glass. The sound of the rain brought back memories of his childhood, reminding him of how, as the firstborn, he never received the same love from his parents as his sister did.

He recalled yesterday's karate match. His father had watched his sister's match with excitement, but when it was Arjun's turn, he was scrolling through his phone, barely paying attention.

Now, his sister came in with a fishbowl, a huge smile on her face. She showed it to him eagerly, but he hesitated and pushed it back to her. With brimming eyes, she offered it again but he shouted,

"You don't know! I said I don't want it!"

"But look at it just once," she pleaded.

"Call me brother!" he yelled at her.
pushing the bowl away again.

This time, it fell to the floor and shattered into pieces. Both their faces turned sad as she cried. He gestured for her to remain quiet. The fish was suffering and about to die. He ran to the hall to call their parents, but they were fighting again, something he was all too used to witnessing.

Desperately, he returned to see his sister crying over the dead fish. Gently, he took it and buried it in the sand in the backyard. Together, they cried in the rain.

"Sorry, brother," she said.

"Is something wrong with you? You don't have to call me brother. Call me as you wish," he said, smiling.

"Okay, Aju," she replied, smiling through her tears.


© Aboorva