Distances and Dreams that Bind Us

3 years ago

oh nakhrewaali

@oh_nakhrewaali

Distances and Dreams that Bind Us

Laxman entered their bed chambers, his eyes searching for his wife. A few days ago, she was begging him to take her with him for the exile. But he had denied her request. He couldn't risk the princess' life, and he couldn't afford distractions because he had promised his mothers and himself that he would protect Ram Bhaiya and Sita Bhabhi, and that promise was more important than anything. Even admitting this thought to himself put the husband in him to shame. 

Before he left with Ram Bhaiya and Sita Bhabhi, he wanted to apologize to Urmila. He wanted to ask for her forgiveness and permission before he left her alone for the next fourteen years.

She was on the balcony, the soft winds playing with her hair and saree. Laxman cleared his throat as he walked to her, not wanting to startle her. 

She smiled softly at him, and his heart ached. A few days ago, nothing but mischief and childlike innocence filled her smile, but now, it didn't seem to reach her eyes.

He stood next to her, their fingers brushing.

"Urmila, I... I wish to apologize to you," He spoke softly, looking at his wife.

"Whatever for?" She asked in confusion.

"For not allowing you to join us, and for leaving you alone,"

"Aarya, please do not apologize. You are doing your duties as a brother, a prince, and the soldier to the future king. You are going to protect the crown prince and the future of Ayodhya"

"But I am failing at my duty as your husband," Tears pooled in his eyes.

"Will you think of me while you are away?" Laxman looked at her in confusion. The question startled him and at the same time felt absurd and irrelevant.

"Of course, Urmi, you are my wife," He replied, his voice not covering his shock.

"Then you won't fail at your duty. We are making sacrifices for the greater good. Our relationships, or I, shouldn't hinder your duties and your dharm towards the greater good," Urmila held his hand.

"I wish I could stop you, ask you to stay back or take me with you, but I know I will make you weak, and you cannot afford that; Ayodhya cannot afford you falling weak. So, don't worry about me, or us. I am fine; you and I will be fine. You go, and protect Ram Bhaiya and Jiji,"

"I will. I will protect Ram Bhaiya and Sita Bhabhi with my life,"

"And come back safely to me," She said, her voice cracking. Laxman pulled her in a hug, and she cried against his chest. He ran his fingers in her ebony-like hair while tears trickled down his cheeks.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After a long day of walking from Ayodhya, finding a good spot, and building a small hut, Laxman promised to keep guard, and Ram and Sita retired to rest after a long day of walking. The journey wasn't arduous, but leaving behind their loved ones, especially Dashrat, had emotionally exhausted Ram. He deserved rest.

The next day, a few hours before dawn, the Goddess of Sleep appeared before Laxman, who hadn't slept a wink.

"Greetings, Goddess Nindra," He greeted her politely.

"Ayushmann Bhav," She blessed him and then frowned slightly.

"I noticed that you haven't slept at all, great warrior,"

"I wish to apologize if I caused you any offense," He joined his palms together in apology, but she shook her head.

"No, I am not offended, but I am concerned. A man needs rest, and you will fall ill if you do not rest,"

"I understand and thank you for your concern, kind Goddess, but I cannot sleep. My brother and sister-in-law are in there, resting, and I wish to protect and safeguard them. To do so, I need to stay awake and active."

She looked at him for a few seconds. He was, after all, protecting Lord Vishnu, so arguing with him and his logic was out of the question.

"Your devotion to your brother and future king impresses me. I grant you the boon that you will not sleep for the next fourteen years, yet your health will not be affected. But to maintain the balance of nature, I need to visit someone. Someone should sleep instead of you. They will complete their sleep cycle during the night and complete yours, during the day." She said authoritatively. Laxman looked at her for seconds and then spoke, even before he could stop himself. 

"I understand, Devi, and hence, I request you to visit my wife, Urmila, and let her know that I have invited you on her behalf. I am sure that she will welcome you,"

The Goddess nodded and vanished in thin air. When she disappeared, Laxman felt anxious. Had he been harsh with Urmila, first robbing her of the love that a wife deserves, then he had sentenced her to fourteen years of sleep, taking away all her chances to live her life for fourteen years. He apologized to her again in his mind.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Urmila blinked as the Goddess of Sleep explained her visit to Laxman and his request. 

"I humbly invite you, Goddess Nindra. I have, but, one request,"

"Speak, child," The Goddess said softly to the poor princess who had lost so much in a few days and would go on to lose fourteen years of her life.

"I want to wake up when my Aarya enters my bed chambers. Not a moment before that. His touch should be the thing that wakes me up." 

"So be it," Goddess Nindra smiled benevolently at the young princess, who almost immediately started feeling sleepy. Urmila called in her daasis, explained the situation, and ordered them to convey the same to the elders of the kingdom.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Years passed. Queen Sumitra looked at her son, who had just returned from a fourteen-year exile. Sumitra could tell that that he for searching for his wife. She told him about Urmila's request to Goddess Nindra, which made Laxman practically sprint to his wife's chambers. As he ran, he thought of his wife. He thanked her for taking care of him, even when they weren't together. He thanked her for loving him so much and for sacrificing so much. He prayed to the Gods to return his wife to him.

He reached the chambers and knelt near the bed. He held Urmila's hand that was resting on her stomach. Even after all these years, she seemed so young, as if she hadn't aged a day. She looked at peace, but the moment his hand touched her hand, her sleep broke, and she opened her eyes.

Their eyes met, and a sob escaped Laxman.

"You are back," she said softly, still sleepy.

"Yes, as promised," He cried and hugged her.

"I missed you so much," He broke the hug and cupped her face.

"I...I dreamt of you," She said, suddenly realizing that she had been sleeping for almost a decade.

"I am sorry that I didn't miss you,"

"Please, please don't apologize. I am not worth it. You have done so much already," Laxman pushed a few hair strands that covered her face and kissed her forehead.

"I love you,"

"I love you too," He smiled at his wife, who now sat on the bed.

Their fingers interlinked, and they gazed into each other's eyes. After their marriage, this was the first time in forever since they had this moment, and they wanted to freeze it and cherish it.