‶He's not even a Raheja!″ His father yelled, the malice in his voice clearly audible. ‶But he is our brother.″ He said calmly. ‶Half brother.″ His father corrected him. ‶Brothers are bonded by heart and not by blood.″ there was finality in his tone, one that screamed any further protest would fall on deaf ears. ‶What are you planning to do, Rudra? Play father to an abandoned kid?″ ‶Haven't I been doing the same since I was 17?″ **************************** ‶You're a responsibility, little boy. Never forget that. Don't ever take bhaiya's kindness for granted.″ ‶Yes sir.″ the 10 year old murmured with bowed head. He didn't expect to be treated any better. The man's eyes twitched ever so slightly when he noticed the boy's shoulders slumping in disappointment. But he forced himself to remain unaffected. The boy was a testament of their mother's spirit. The spirit that they needed but were deprived of. Warming up to her son felt like a betrayal to their own struggles.