Hello friends! I am so thankful to my readers who voted for my story. Thank you @abhay4lyf and @Poumi_P for their precious votes. This chapter is dedicated to you. There's a caution regarding the chapter and it is that I'm using few fragmenrs from the controversial episode of Koffee with Karan featuring Hardik and Rahul. I might at some point misplace words if I haven't saved them well in my memory and also by portrayal of opinions regarding the talk show in this chapter is merely a fiction and do not represent my own views. Thank you. (pic from the KWK episode ^ above)

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The entire family was shattered by the news. Rahul's cricketing career was in jeopardy! All of us felt like the tiny bits of sands we have been gathering in our palms since the day of Rahul's selection in the national team, was now slipping away.

There was a panel discussion with few of the retired cricketers in a Hindi news channel about the statements uttered by the two young stars in the controversial talk show. Their main point was why would a cricketer even attend a show framed according to the framework of bollywood celebs? Then it were list of statements made by each of the two cricketers in the show.

When I lost my virginity, I came home and said, 'Main karke aya hai aaj (I had sex today)'. At a party my parents asked me 'acha tera wala (woman) kaun sa hai [who is your interest here?] so I said yeh, yeh, yeh (pointing out women)' and they were like 'waah proud of you beta', _Hardik Pandya

 I like to watch and observe how they (women) move. I'm little from the black side so I need to see how they move _Hardik Pandya

The T20 match organised in America against West Indies in which I hit his first T20 century, I was busy partying in Miami and returned in the morning of the match _K.L.Rahul 

Rahul then went on to reveal how they both decide on who gets to date a girl as asked by Karan Johar about what happens when both of them like a particular person? 

"Upto the woman" _ K.L.Rahul

"Nahi nahi aisa kuch nahi hai, talent pe hota hai. Jisko mila woh leke jao. It is on talent." _ Hardik Pandya

I need no pick up lines. My name is enough. Harddik. _Hardik Pandya

I watched as the so-called experts spoke about the interview making it as a sham in the history of world cricket. Of course, all of them have now got chance to pour out their own frustrations and prove themselves as the most gentleman of cricket.

'I'd at least call for three series suspension for the players.' one of the very famous ex-cricketer said.

'I diagree. I don't think a mere suspension is enough. Hardik and Rahul just put the big blotch on the name of Indian and international cricket as a whole. In our country, cricketers are treated as role models. What will the young generation learn from these two people without any ethics or respect for women?' another politically enthusiastic former cricketer spoke.

'Absolutely!' another expert said.  'I can't believe BCCI had no idea about that! Strict legal action must be taken against them.' 

There was a feminist activist in the panel as well who said she had already filed a case aginst the two cricketers for objectifying and disrespecting women. There were talks about the comment on 'blacks' too. She was determined about the legal action against the two.

'What on earth!' I just exclaimed not being able to take it anymore.

'How could they even think of taking legal action against Rahul?' I asked in disbelief capturing the attention of my family members.

'Esha..can you believe he drank?! That too..' my mother spoke through her tears almost interfering in irrelevance.

'I get it mom.' I consoled sitting beside her. But, did you see the statements? Rahul wasn't even part of 20% of the controversy. He was just..'

'Do not defend her Esh!' my fathers tood up furiously. 'Today Rahul proved that whatever morals he received from his family meant nothing to him! Nanu sotiddene ... I failed as a father. My ethics failed...' My father said almost breaking down in anger. 

'Dad! please, control yourself!' Bhavna ran to his aid. 'Please, relax! Something or the other is gonna turn up. Don't worry!' she said massaging his stressed arm.

'Yes Dad! And all the curses these people are showering .. misogynist, sexist and racist..nothing fits into Rahul.' I explained. 'It was because of Hardik that he fell into trouble.' 

I always hated Rahul's company with Hardik. I met this guy first time on Rahul's birthday last year and the way he was cracking those obscene jokes in front of elders and women was annoying to all. Our second meeting was when me and Bhavna decided to accompany Rahul in his tour to South Africa just after I completed my diploma. Rahul was like glued to this Hardik all the while almost forgetting the presence of me and Bhavna. That got somewhat aware of the personality of Hardik. As we stayed in the same hotel, I would often see Hardik flirting with one or the other female attendant with the most inappropriate body language. And one day, while I was walking to Rahul's room to give him wake up call, I even saw a random blonde making her way out of Hardik's room early in the morning. 

I was dumbstruck by the presumed audacity. As I looked clearly, I saw Hardik draped only in a towel waving his hand at her while she blushed. Unfortunately for me, Hardik's eyes fell on me and mine on him. Now that he knew what I knew, the shameless guy only smirked throwing me a wink before walking back to his room.

Eww... I cringed seeing him every time after that morning.

But, trust me, every time I saw this guy even before knowing him...I felt like he has a face that begs for a punch.

When one day, me and Bhavna thought Rahul wasn't busy enough, we asked him to take us shopping, pretty much a sibling fun time. But, no. Everything we plan to be good doesn't end up well always and this was the same case. Rahul informed us Hardik had some shopping to do for his girlfriend of that time and he would be joining us too. 

And all I thought was..god bless his girlfriend and god bless us.

All through the way, me and Bhavna had to pretend to laugh at his inappropriate lame jokes. But, after a while, I just stopped pretending. I only wondered how was Rahul really enjoying this guy's company?

After managing to get few things and tolerating Hardik's fascination for Victoria's Secret models, we decided to have a lunch at a restaurant. But, then again his banters started as he evidently motioned Rahul towards a lady in the table beside us. I could say my brother was slightly uncomfortable to react in front of his sisters, but he blushed and chuckled as his eyes too focused on the transparent white top of the lady.

I had enough. The food was ordered. Being a vegetarian, my orders were different from others. But, Hardik had to poke fun about that too.

'Vegetarian in every way, I assume?' he asked giving me a suggestive look thta made me want to slap the smile off his face but then he flinched and I knew Rahul had kicked his leg for his inappropriate comments.

Bhavna too, after sometime got adjusted to Hardik's company and I was the only one that felt left alone.

'Hey! Why is my tweety bird not talking..hmm?' Hardik spoke suddenly referring to me. My teeth gritted as i hated the way he addressed.

'Oh she..she's actually..' Bhavna tried to say something to cover up but...

'May be because she just doesn't talk to mannerless jerks who thinks the world would oblige to revolve around them..' I burst making all other three jaws around me hung.

Nothing major happened after that and Rahul nd Bhavna manged the situation telling I was young and tired. I didn't speak the thing on our way back and ever to Hardik. 

But, what he caused today was unbearable. It was only for him that my brother was being criticized by all. And it's only fort him that my brother's dreams...No..No..No...

'Akka...!' I called my elder sister Bhavna...'As we all can see Rahul never disrespected women or anyone else. Can he still be guilty by law? Will he still be suspended from the team?' I questioned the lawyer.

Bhavna shook her head. 'no Esh...Don't even bring law into all this. Even though they both seem to break the code of conduct by going to a non-sporting show without BCCI's approval but it's Rahul who himself admitted that he got drunk and was partying in Miami a day before an international match! While what Hardik said was only about his personal life, Rahul confessed breaking a serious law. So, you can imagine how bad Rahul might get trapped if  we seek help from law. 

The realization hit me. Bhavna was right!

'Oh god! Couldn't the boy ask me once before going to that weird show?' my mother lamented. 'My boy..my Rahul used to share everything with me and take my suggestion in every step of life? What happened to him suddenly?'

My father scoffed sarcastically. 'Your son just grew up. He's a public figure now. May be he just doesn't need any of us anymore..' Dad said with an emotion mixed with sadness and anger.

'Dad please, stop saying this. Rahul must be repenting himself and we have to be by his side right now.' Bhavna said. I nodded.

'Yes, please call him..' I insisted. My mom wiped her tears strengthening herself a little. 'give the phone to me once he receives.' she said.

But, to our dismay Rahul didn't pick up.

'He..he isn't picking up..' Bhavna said. I  called from my phone then...5 times. We texted him too but no response.

'O devare!' my mother almost screamed. 'What happened to my son? Why isn't he receiving?'

My heart paced too.

I opened his WhatsApp chat and to my utter surprise, he was active just 2 minutes ago which means the time when we already started calling.

'Uhh..Don't worry..he seems fine. He was active 2 minutes ago..' I said debating within myself if the information would generate positive or negative results.

'Vidhi...' my father scoffed sadly. 'Loook..He isn't even receiving our calls while he's actively chatting with other people! Can't believe it's my Rahul! How can my boy change like this?' my father said disheartened.

Bhavna was trying to calm my parents who still hoped this is just a nightmare. I, on the other hand, knew the exact reason and for everything. My sweet brother, loved by all, cared by all, favourite in the neighbourhood, glory of Mangaluru...

'Me and your father had long years of our service. These controversies could never touch us. I never thought Rahul..' mom sighed...

'Not his fault. You can't expect a clean reputation from someone hanging with messy people..' I opined curtly before exiting the living room.

I know Rahul had his faults but I hope Rahul doesn't pay for someone else' deeds.

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