Urmila's hands shook as she helped her husband into his formal vastras. His face was impassive, but she knew a tornado was whirling in his head. He barely registered her pushing him into a settee and running a comb through his unruly locks, attempting to tame them.
"Swami, she said gently.
"Hmm? He said, distracted, looking at his reflection, yet not really looking.
"Swami, calm yourself, she pleaded, kneeling and resting a hand on his knee. He looked down at her, attempting to focus.
"I am calm, he countered, after a brief pause.
"I mean actual calm, Lord, not angry calm.
He grimaced. How could he calm down? He understood Rama's reasoning, but he also felt Rama's heartbreak. Urmila sighed and rose. Face unemotional, she gently applied a tika to his forehead.
"Go Prince Lakshman, she said, at her formal best. "Go and fulfil your King's Orders.
Though her heart wept, she kept her face blank. She knew her Ram Bhaiyya. She knew that He did not do this of His own will, His hand was forced.
She watched as Lak-no, Prince Lakshmana marched out of their chambers, and down the corridor. Not once did he look back, and she knew that to be the fact that he could not bear the pain.
Her staggering feet took her to the chambers of her sister, Mandavi, and she found her two sisters sitting on the bed.
"Mandavi Didi? she said, quietly, but her voice carried. It was a mark of how deeply the two were affected that there were no barbs in their exchange.
"Come, Urmi, said Mandavi, patting the bed next to her. Urmi walked to her and sat down next to her sister, deep in thought.
"Didi, Sita Didi has left, said Urmila, softly, tears stinging her eyes. She blinked them back, for she knew that at this point she needed to be strong. Her elder sister, her mother, was leaving. Leaving them forever.
"I know Urmi, Arya told me, said Mandavi, softly. She was worried about her husband, but most importantly her Ram Bhaiyya. She knew that the decision to send Sita Didi off would have not been His own, but forced, thrust upon Him. She cringed at the hypocrisy of society.
"What now? asked Kirti, in a dull, flat voice.
"Now, nothing, Kirti, said Urmi, softly. "Didi is gone. She has left, but only in body. She is with us in spirit, and we have to carry on. She wouldn't want us to mope. We did do that during the time that Bhaiyya, Didi and Arya went on vanvaas too.
"Yes, but that was different, chimed Mandavi. "We knew that they would come back.
"But still, Did..., she stopped short. "Didi, we should meet Ram Bhaiyya, I can almost sense His restlessness.
"No Urmi, said Mandavi. "Let Lakshman Bhaiyya come back and talk to Him, and after that.
"But.. Kirti trailed off uncertainly. "You're right, Didi. You are right. Ram Bhaiyya needs Lakshman Bhaiyya the most. He has even forbidden Arya and Bharat Bhaiyya from coming to His chambers.
"I know, Kirti, I know, said Urmila, softly. All three of them slipped into their own thoughts, as they realised that their sister would never return from her exile.
"Urmi! said Sita, attempting to be stern. She was sitting on the couch in her chambers, next to Rama, the three of them chatting, waiting for Lakshman to return from an errand that Rama had sent him on.
"Ra.., Lakshman stopped short as he hurried into his brother and sister-in-law's chambers. He narrowed his gaze before shrugging resignedly.
"How come you are here, Urmi? he said, surprise lacing his tone. "I thought you and BhabhiMa are going to the temple?
"We went and came Arya, said Urmi her eyes twinkling with mischief. "We came just before yourself.
"Oh, alright. He turned questioningly to Rama, who merely shrugged while throwing him an amused look.
"Urmi! Sita tweaked her younger sister's ear. "Don't irritate my son. You know it is his day with his Ram Bhaiyya, why are you dragging me into your mischief? Come, let's go and find someone else to annoy.
So saying, she dragged her grumbling sister away to her own chambers.
Urmila sighed. The memories were too fresh, the pain too raw. She turned to see Mandavi and Kirti too, lost in thought. The clatter of hooves brought them back to reality. That was the chariot drawing in.
Lakshman rushed to Rama's chambers as fast as he could, without actually running. He tripped and steadied, repeatedly, but was finally there.
"Bhaiyya? His voice was soft, so as not to startle Rama. Rama turned from where He was staring into nothingness.
"Lakshman?
"I have done as you said, he whispered, taking small steps to Rama, before kneeling in front of Him. "I left BhabhiMa in the forest.
"I know, said Rama, covering His hand over Lakshmana's, where it lay on His knee. "Go to Urmi.
"But Bhaiyya.
"Go, Lakshmana, go to her. She has lost a mother, a sister.
Lakshmana reluctantly rose and left, throwing one last backward glance over his shoulder. The night was set to be long.
Ganesh Kartikeya
Shiv Shakti
Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
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