|Sisters- A TS| - Chapter 3, Page 6 18/11 - Page 4

Mandavi's hands began picking up the clothes strewn on the bed with a practised ease, as if she were used to this for many years, which she certainly was. Bharat always loved perfection. He would decide his clothes as per his mood, as per the day, and woe betide the dhobi if there was a single crease on his uttariya or his dhoti.

She smiled fondly and returned all the clothes to their place, impeccably folded, as if they had never been worn and discarded in the first place. Her sharp ears caught the footsteps in the passage outside her chambers. She knew who it was.

"Jiji! Sure enough, it was her two sisters. They all sat on the bed, done with the day's work.

"How come you both are here now? she asked, laughing as the two of them fought for the most comfortable couch, before finally deciding to share it.

"You realise you both have grown sons who rule kingdoms, right? she asked, rhetorically. They nodded seriously and she rolled her eyes, settling down opposite them. Her eyes automatically went to the empty seat next to her, and she knew that Urmila and Kirti too, were looking at the same empty seat.

Urmila sighed. None of them had ever thought of it, thought that this day would come, when they would have to manage without their Sita Jiji. They had been so used to having her around, taken for granted the fact that she would be there, always. To look after them, to be with them.

"Are you both missing her? Kirti's words fell out of her mouth before she could think. Then she sighed. "Sorry, I just.. I am missing her too, she said, softly, a smile gracing her lips.

The years had been kind to all of them - not just them, but to their husbands and to their Rama Bhaiyya too. They had all aged gracefully, no semblance of old age on their royal, almost divine features. They looked as they had the prime of their youth.

The bereavement from Sita had, however, taken its toll on them all. She was loved by all, by everyone in their family, the kingdom. She was the ideal wife, sister, mother and daughter. She loved unconditionally and got as much as she gave.

Their thoughts flitted to their respective husbands. Each had been devastated at her departure, sudden, scary. Even when their Ram Bhaiyya had made her leave, made their BhabhiMa go to the forest, there was a small ray of hope, something, that was holding them to her. Now that link was permanently gone.

They stood standing there in shock, watching as their sister, their mother called upon Mother Earth to swallow her, rather than to let her sons face the taunts of the society. When it was about her, she accepted it, without word, without question. But when it was about her sons, she would not allow it.

The mother in them understood it, but the daughters in them rebelled. Rebelled at losing their sister, their guide, their mother. Holding Luv and Kush close, rocking them as they cried, night after night, they unconsciously wept for her.

Bharata, Lakshmana, Shatrughna all three spent nights on end in Rama's chambers, trying their best to comfort Him and failing. They all had lost a huge part of their lives. The Queen Mothers, all three had lost a daughter. The other six children, had lost a mother that they had heard a lot about, but never met really.

They all jerked back to reality, at almost the same time.

"You know, Urmi, Kirti? said Mandavi. "I used to be almost jealous o.. She stopped short as her sisters giggled. "What?

"You, jealous? said Kirti, deeply amused.

"Jiji, none of us were brought up to be jealous, and you know it, added Urmi.

"Yes, yes, I know, said Mandavi, shaking her head. "I meant that the way you were close to Jiji was really special.

"Yes, but she didn't love you or Kirti-doll any less, said Urmi, wisely. "She had her own ways of showing her love for us

"She did, said Kirti, smiling in remembrance of her eldest sister. The very lifeline of Mithila, and a perfect match for her Ram Bhaiyya, the darling of Kosala. They were like Lakshmi-Narayana, like Shiva-Parvati and like Brahma-Saraswati. Almost other-worldly.

Each of them sank into their own thoughts, until they noticed the daylight dimming, and the lamps being lit.

"Oh! It is time for us to go and prepare for the night meal, said Kirti, leaping to her feet. Her two sisters followed suit, but more sedately.

The night passed as usual, each of them sat together at the dinner table, yet all lost in their own thoughts. As usual, they bade each other a goodnight, and as usual, headed to their respective chambers.

"Mandavi? said Bharat, rummaging among his clothes. "Where is my white dh... he trailed off as she handed it to him.

"Arya, get used to doing it yourself, I am not going to be here forever!

He looked at her, aghast. His heart sank as he took in the meaning of her words. A sense of dread filled him as he replayed her words in his head.

"Never, ever, say that Mandavi, my love, he said seriously, holding her hands in his own. "Without Mandavi, there is no Bharata.

Mandavi smiled, and led the two of them to the ornate bed, and they lay down, entwined in each other's arms, Mandavi's head resting on his chest, the steady thumping of his heart lulling her to sleep.

The sun rose as usual, draping the room in a gentle warm glow. Shatrughna awoke as the rays of the sun gently fell across his face. His first, puzzled thought was the Kirti had not yet woken.

"She must be tired, he thought, gently extricating himself from beneath her head and pulling the bedcovers lovingly over her. He placed a gentle kiss to her head and left the room after picking his clothes up in silence, throwing a loving backward glance as he left the room.

He met his brothers in the dining chambers after his ablutions and prayers.

"Pranipaat, Ram Bhaiyya, Bharat Bhaiyya and Lakshman Bhaiyya, he said, as he took his place at the table.

"Pranipaat, Lalla, they all chorused. He cast a look around the table and asked, surprised: "Are Mandavi Bhabhi and Urmi Bhabhi not here?

"No, Urmi is asleep, said Lakshman. "I didn't have the heart to wake her.

"The same with Mandavi, said Bharat. "She looked at peace for the first time in years

"Kirti too. It was as i... Ripudaman trailed off, his eyes widening in shock. He rose abruptly, abandoning his food, and ran in the direction of his chambers. A second later, what he thought clicked in his brothers' head, and they all rushed off after him.

Silence met them as they, for the first time, walked into Shatrughna's quarters uninvited, unannounced. He stood by the side of the bed, deathly pale. Everything seemed crystal clear as tears blurred their vision and emotions choked them.

There was a stunned silence. "Looks like the four sisters are finally reunited, said Lakshmana, finally.

A/N: Yes, I am aware that this was depressing; I am really sorry, I think I was angsting when I wrote this and you can see what happens when I angst. Shoes and tomatoes are welcome. Sorry, again.

A/N 2: This is the end of the story, there is no more. Please do feel free to suggest any OS/TS ideas. Thanks a lot for all your reviews so far, and please do support me as you have always done.