BHOR : Her time has risen

Chapter Twelve

"Look who overslept. Wake up guys." Sonia said as she entered the hidden room underground. She had a cup of tea in her hand and plate of soup.

"What's the time ?" Dawn groaned as she managed to open her eyes.

"Time to wake up. You've overslept. I let it slide today because i consider you a convalescent and my brother immature..."

"I can hear you Sonia." He said opening his eyes and sitting up.

"Look how you two are sprawled on the floor. Father wants to see you. Both of you. But first, soup and tea, and you, freshen up." She said before leaving.

"What's with the attitude this morning?" Dawn as she took the hot tea.

"Sonia is a mature freak. Too responsible. And I'm..."

"A supposed irresponsible looking playboy. I figured. Who's older?"

"Guess. "

"You're older."

"That didnt sound like a guess. You're stalking me?"

"Gosh. Don't feel too proud. You'llà obviously ask me to guess because you're older and ashamed that your younger sister is more responsible than you are. Had you been older and matured, you'd claim it with pride, or, had you been in her position. Young and smart."

"Alright alright. No need to rub it in."

"But i doubt it. "

"Doubt what?"

"That you're dumb."

"Well there was no need to say it so straightforward. "

"I mean that's why your father put me in your care."

"Hmm?"

"I mean. He agreed to let you help me recover. That was basically the reason, youre not too smart, but you arent dumb either."

"I wonder why my father wants to see us both . It seemed urgent. "

"Well , we should go see."
They left the room, with Raj locking it securely. Opening the door to the study, it was dark, smell of old books with the yellow lighting.

Sir Anand was seated on the swivel chair facing the wall behind him. Sensing their footsteps, he turned around.

"You requested to see us father."

"You slept outside home?" He asked.

"No, we..."

"How many times Raj, do i have to tell you that this isnt the time to be so careless. For all we know there could be spies and the only place they have tk trace is this house!" He said his voice rising immediately.

"Sir, we had work to do there. He..."

"Not one word from you!" He said to Dawn making her surprised at his outburst.

"I'm sorry father." Raj said.

"For once, i thought you could be responsible. But like before, you always prove to be incapable."

"But..." Dawn tried to interrupt but she couldn't, was stopped with a glare.

"From now on, the responsibility of Dawn has been handed over to Sonia. You are also banned from getting into the underground hideout. You'll be needed in this study. The books here are very dusty, and so are the shelves." He said before he returned to the book on the table. Raj just stormed out of the study while Dawn remained in her spot.

"Is there anything you want?"

"In order to achieve something positive, you do something negative." She said.

"Can you explain yourself?"

"My parents always wanted to protect me from the enemy within, but they pushed me away instead. Years before i understood what was going on. Sonia probably knows the truth, which is why she is mature. Your judgement is wrong. "

"You're beating about the bush Dawn."

"My father was very cruel to me. In the end, i understood why. And it was late wasnt it? I lost my father before i could even have him. I can understand what Raj is going through. He's older than Sonia, but you have Sonia disregard him. He isnt shown respect. "

"That is because he hasnt lived up to his  responsibility and his sister has."

"Have you even explained to him the responsibility? Even with my case, he was the one who volunteered to help me recover quickly before you take me to training. That's wisdom, and mind you, he did just that. Something even Sonia wouldnt do. I rediscovered myself, my mission. And now you disregard him? Dont you think this is unfair?! Anyone meeting Raj for the first time will think he's useless, a fool, a playboy because of the way he is being treated by his own family. It's your fault, you're being ignorant here as a father. I didnt realize until an outsider opened my eyes to see what my father was doing for me. In this case, I'm coming to you the father. Incase you dont know, you are starting a war on your own. The enemies will use Raj against you, and if that ever happens Sir Anand, i will never blame Raj. Ill blame you, because now, you should know. And regarding responsibility, I'm way past 18 to decide who can care for me. I dont need Sonia, I need Raj. Fix your broken relationship with your son. Stop making it worse. Okay? Excuse me." She said before leaving the study.

Anand sat in his chair, looking at the door, her words replayed in his mind.

"Yes father,"

"Send in Raj."

"What has he done this time?"

"Come with him." He said not looking at her face. Sonia nodded, feeling strange, that this is the first time her father has requested to see them both, with such a tone.
The duo marched in standing before their father.

"Sit down." He said. Sonia looked at Raj, but he didnt look back at her, he quietly sat on the chair.

"I'm sorry."

"Father.."

"Dont speak Sonia. Until i ask you to." He said.
"I'm sorry Raj. I've placed you on a level below your sister. And that was because i used the wrong route, to bring out the best in you. I wanted perfection from you, but i never gave you the needed attention. I knew a day like this would come, i knew one day I'd have Dawn in my hands to train, and I wanted you to take over when they eventually come after me. But seeing as I was harsh towards you, I'm sorry. I never let you in on the responsibility at hand. But things are going to change from now, with first, your sister regarding you as her elder brother. " Raj looked up to his father in surprise.

"You are surely lucky to have proven yourself to Dawn. She spoke on your behalf. And I'm sorry that an outsider had to open my eyes before making me realise my mistake."

"I dont need the apology father. An elder is not required to apologise to the younger. I was wrong too, being insensitive and dramatic. And Sonia should keep leading, it'll take a while for me to understand how things work."

"Take a while, or you're lazy?" He asked.

"Father.."

"Well, it is decided that when it is time to train Dawn, you will be the one to train her and I'll supervise and teach all of you the complicated concepts. Now, exit my office."