Chapter 14: The First Warning
The city was both a blessing and a curse for Keshav and Sagar. It offered opportunities they could only dream of back in the village, but it also brought challenges that neither of them had anticipated. Keshav had been trying to adjust to his new life, balancing work and studies while keeping an eye on Sagar. However, it was becoming increasingly clear that the city's influence was starting to change his younger brother in ways he hadn't expected.
Sagar's behavior had become erratic. He was often late coming home, his excuses flimsy and his attitude increasingly defiant. Keshav had tried to talk to him several times, but each conversation ended in frustration, with Sagar either brushing him off or outright dismissing his concerns.
One evening, after a particularly grueling day at work, Keshav returned to their small apartment to find it empty. The sight of Sagar's untouched schoolbooks on the table sent a wave of worry through him. He had hoped that Sagar would come home straight after school, but it was clear that his brother had other plans.
Where could he be? Keshav wondered, pacing the small living room. The clock on the wall ticked loudly, each passing minute heightening his anxiety. This can't go on. I have to do something before it's too late.
Hours later, when Sagar finally walked through the door, it was well past midnight. His clothes were slightly disheveled, and there was a faint smell of smoke clinging to him. Keshav, who had been dozing on the couch, immediately sat up, his expression a mix of relief and anger.
"Sagar, where have you been?" Keshav demanded, his voice sharper than he intended. "Do you know what time it is?"
Sagar rolled his eyes, clearly irritated by the question. "I was out with friends, Keshav. Why are you always on my case?"
"Because I'm worried about you!" Keshav shot back, standing up to face his brother. "You've been acting differently ever since we got here. You're staying out late, skipping school—this isn't like you, Sagar."
"Well, maybe you don't know me as well as you think," Sagar muttered, brushing past him.
Keshav grabbed Sagar's arm, stopping him in his tracks. "I'm serious, Sagar. This city is full of distractions, and you're getting pulled in by the wrong crowd. I've seen the people you're hanging out with—they're not good for you."
Sagar yanked his arm away, glaring at Keshav. "You don't know anything about them! Just because you're stuck working all the time doesn't mean I have to live like you. I'm making friends, Keshav. Isn't that what we came here for? To have a better life?"
Keshav felt a pang of frustration. "Yes, but this isn't the way to do it. These 'friends' of yours—they're going to get you into trouble. I can feel it."
"Stop acting like you're my father," Sagar snapped, his voice rising. "You're not! You're just my brother, and you don't get to control what I do."
Keshav's heart sank at Sagar's words. He wanted to argue, to make his brother see reason, but he knew that pushing too hard would only drive a deeper wedge between them. He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself.
"I'm not trying to control you," Keshav said, his voice softer now. "I just want what's best for you, Sagar. We came here together, and I don't want to lose you to this city."
Sagar looked at him for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then, without another word, he turned and walked into his room, slamming the door behind him. Keshav stood there, feeling utterly helpless. He knew he needed to do something, but what? How could he protect his brother from making mistakes that could cost them both dearly?
I need to find a way to reach him, Keshav thought, his mind racing with possibilities. Before it's too late.
The next day, Keshav found himself confiding in Rajesh during a break at work. The older man had noticed the strain on Keshav and had offered a sympathetic ear.
"Keshav, you're doing the best you can," Rajesh said, his tone gentle yet firm. "But sometimes, young people have to learn things the hard way. Sagar's at that age where he thinks he knows everything. It's not easy, but you have to find a balance between guiding him and giving him space."
"I just don't want him to make a mistake he can't come back from," Keshav replied, his voice tinged with worry.
Rajesh nodded in understanding. "That's a valid concern. But you also have to remember that he's trying to find his own way in the world. The best thing you can do is be there for him, even when he pushes you away. Let him know that you're always on his side, no matter what."
Keshav sighed, feeling the weight of responsibility pressing down on him. "It's just hard, Rajesh. I feel like I'm losing him, and I don't know how to stop it."
"You're not losing him," Rajesh said firmly. "He's still your brother, and deep down, he knows you're looking out for him. Just keep being there, Keshav. That's what matters most."
Keshav nodded, grateful for Rajesh's advice. It wasn't a perfect solution, but it was something. He resolved to keep trying, to find a way to reach Sagar before it was too late.
That evening, Keshav decided to try a different approach. Instead of confronting Sagar as soon as he walked in, he waited patiently, sitting at the kitchen table with a cup of tea. When Sagar finally returned, Keshav greeted him with a calm, steady voice.
"Hey, Sagar," Keshav said, glancing up from his cup. "I made some tea. Want to join me?"
Sagar hesitated, clearly surprised by Keshav's tone. After a moment, he shrugged and sat down across from his brother. They sipped their tea in silence for a while, the tension between them gradually easing.
"I'm sorry about last night," Keshav began, choosing his words carefully. "I didn't mean to come down so hard on you. I just… I'm worried, that's all."
Sagar looked into his cup, his expression conflicted. "I know you're just trying to help, Keshav. But I'm not a kid anymore. I need to figure things out on my own."
"I get that," Keshav replied, nodding slowly. "But just remember, you don't have to do it alone. I'm here for you, no matter what. We're in this together."
For the first time in days, Sagar's gaze softened. He didn't say anything, but the tension between them seemed to lift just a little. It wasn't a perfect resolution, but it was a step in the right direction.
Despite the small breakthrough, Keshav couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled in his chest. Sagar was still spending too much time with his new friends, and Keshav knew that it was only a matter of time before something went wrong.
One evening, as Keshav was leaving work, Priya caught up with him outside the store. She had noticed the ongoing tension between Keshav and Sagar and had grown concerned.
"Keshav, I've been meaning to ask," Priya said, her voice tentative. "How's everything going with your brother?"
Keshav hesitated, unsure of how much to share. But Priya had become a trusted friend, and he found himself opening up to her.
"It's been tough," he admitted. "Sagar's… changing. He's hanging out with people I don't trust, and I'm worried he's going to get himself into trouble."
Priya nodded, her expression thoughtful. "The city can do that to people, especially someone young like Sagar. But you're doing the right thing by being there for him, even if he doesn't see it right now."
Keshav sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "I just wish I could do more. I feel like I'm failing him."
"You're not failing him," Priya said firmly. "You're doing everything you can. Just keep trying to reach him, Keshav. He needs you, even if he doesn't realize it."
Her words offered some comfort, but the doubt lingered in Keshav's mind. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to happen, something that would test everything he had worked for since they arrived in the city.
One night, after another long day, Keshav found Sagar sitting alone in their small living room, staring blankly at the television. The sight of his brother, looking so lost and disconnected, tugged at Keshav's heart.
"Sagar," Keshav began, sitting down beside him. "I know things have been tough lately, and I haven't made it any easier. But I want you to know that I'm here for you. Always."
Sagar didn't respond at first, his eyes still fixed on the screen. But then he turned to look at Keshav, his expression a mix of frustration and something else—something that looked almost like guilt.
"I know you're trying to help, Keshav," Sagar said quietly. "But I just don't want to feel like I'm being watched all the time. I need some space."
Keshav nodded, understanding the delicate balance he had to maintain. "I get it, Sagar. I really do. I'm not going to hover over you, but I also want you to know that you can talk to me about anything. Whatever it is, I'll be here to listen."
Sagar's shoulders slumped slightly, as if the weight of everything was starting to press down on him. "It's just… this place is so different from home. I thought I could handle it, but sometimes it feels like I'm losing myself, like I don't even know who I am anymore."
Keshav felt a pang of sympathy. He knew that adjusting to city life had been hard on both of them, but he hadn't realized just how much Sagar was struggling internally. Maybe I've been too focused on protecting him and not enough on understanding him, Keshav thought.
"You're still you, Sagar," Keshav said gently. "It's just that everything here is new and overwhelming. It's okay to feel lost sometimes, but don't let that make you forget who you are."
Sagar looked down at his hands, his fingers fidgeting with the hem of his shirt. "I don't want to mess up, Keshav. I don't want to disappoint you or Dad."
"You won't," Keshav assured him, placing a hand on Sagar's shoulder. "As long as you're true to yourself, you won't disappoint anyone. We all make mistakes, but it's what we do afterward that matters."
Sagar nodded slowly, the tension in his posture easing a bit. "Thanks, Keshav. I'll try to remember that."
They sat in silence for a while, the soft glow of the television the only light in the room. Keshav felt a small sense of relief. It wasn't a complete resolution, but it was progress. He hoped that this conversation had planted a seed in Sagar's mind, one that would help guide him through the challenges ahead.
As the days passed, Keshav noticed small changes in Sagar's behavior. He was still hanging out with his friends, but he seemed more grounded, less rebellious. Keshav hoped that their talk had helped Sagar see the bigger picture, that he didn't have to lose himself to fit into the city's fast-paced lifestyle.
However, there were still moments of doubt. Sagar's friends continued to worry Keshav, especially one in particular—a boy named Vikram. Vikram was older, more experienced in the ways of the city, and Keshav couldn't shake the feeling that he was leading Sagar down a dangerous path.
One afternoon, as Keshav was finishing up his shift at work, he overheard a conversation between two of his colleagues, Ravi and Sunil. They were talking about a group of teenagers who had been getting into trouble around the neighborhood.
"Yeah, I heard they've been hanging out at that old warehouse near the river," Ravi said, shaking his head. "Kids these days, always looking for trouble."
Sunil nodded in agreement. "It's a bad crowd. I wouldn't be surprised if they're mixed up in something illegal. The police are already keeping an eye on them."
Keshav's heart sank as he listened. He had a sinking suspicion that Vikram and his group might be involved. He couldn't prove it, but the thought of Sagar getting caught up in something dangerous made his stomach churn.
I have to be careful, Keshav thought, his mind racing. If Sagar's really mixed up with them, I need to find a way to pull him out before it's too late.
That evening, Keshav met up with Priya after work. They often spent time together, discussing their days and offering each other support. Priya had become a close friend, someone Keshav could rely on in the midst of the city's chaos.
As they walked through the park, Keshav confided in her about his concerns. "I'm worried about Sagar," he admitted. "I think he might be getting involved with a bad crowd. I don't know what to do, Priya. I don't want to push him away, but I also don't want him to get hurt."
Priya listened intently, her expression thoughtful. "It's a tough situation, Keshav. You've done a lot for your brother, but you can't protect him from everything. Sometimes, people have to make their own mistakes to learn."
Keshav sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I know you're right, but it's hard to just stand by and watch. I feel like I'm failing him."
"You're not failing him," Priya said gently. "You're doing your best, and that's all anyone can ask for. Maybe you could try talking to him again, not as an older brother trying to protect him, but as a friend. Let him know that you're worried because you care, not because you want to control him."
Keshav nodded, considering her words. "I'll try that. I just hope he listens."
"He will," Priya said with a reassuring smile. "He knows you care, even if he doesn't always show it."
Keshav decided to take Priya's advice. That night, he approached Sagar in a different way, focusing on understanding rather than lecturing. They talked more openly, with Keshav sharing some of his own struggles and fears about living in the city.
To his relief, Sagar seemed more receptive this time. He opened up about the pressures he was feeling, the desire to fit in, and the confusion that came with trying to find his place in the city. Keshav listened without judgment, offering support instead of criticism.
"You're not alone in this, Sagar," Keshav said quietly. "We're both figuring things out, and it's okay to feel lost sometimes. But just remember that you don't have to go through it alone. I'm here for you, and I always will be."
Sagar looked at his brother, and for the first time in a long while, there was a glimmer of the old Sagar—the one who had always looked up to Keshav, the one who valued his brother's guidance.
"Thanks, Keshav," Sagar said softly. "I'll try to do better. I don't want to let you down."
"You could never let me down," Keshav replied, pulling Sagar into a brief, tight hug. "Just take things one step at a time, okay? We'll get through this together."
As they sat in the quiet of their apartment, Keshav felt a small sense of relief. The road ahead was still uncertain, and there were undoubtedly more challenges to come, but for the first time in weeks, he felt like they were moving in the right direction.
The shadows of doubt and fear hadn't completely disappeared, but Keshav held onto the hope that, with time, they could overcome them—together.