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Ram Sita Lakshman Urmila was in the palace and in Ram's room. Bharat and Shatrughna had gone to Kekaya with their brides.
Now Sita and Urmila were painting. Ram was observing interestingly the picture that was coming up. But Lakshman as usual was in his irritating best distracting Urmila now and then asking her questions. Ram and Sita smiled at their siblings on going casual fight which was always there when they were together.
Just then Kausalya and Sumitra came and all 4 of them got up.Kausalya looked at the unfinished painting.
" Sita, Urmila from the time you have come you are painting on anything that you can lay your hands on."
Sita and Urmila smiled. They had painted on the sheets, on pillow covers, vessels.
Sumitra affectionately touched her DIL Urmila " Lakshman did I have to tell you separate that you should be taking your bride and your bhabi to see the city. Ram is busy always with Maharaj calling him for one thing after another. But instead of always being in his side be at the service of your bhabi and wife once"
Lakshman looked at his mother. Shanta didi was correct. Raj is going to happen of the women. Taking Sita Bhabi to city tour was not a problem. But Urmila. He dreaded. She will make the whole market place into one private place of her own.
Kausalya chided Sumitra " Sumitra why only Lakshman will go. Maharaj can tell so many duties to his son, but he is also my son. And I demand he take Sita to see Ayodhya. "
Ram looked at his mother and smiled. So did Lakshman. Sumitra told Sita and Urmila. Get ready and don't waste time. You wont get another golden oppourtunity like this.
Kaikeyi entered. And I have bought these special dresses for you both. Wear this when you go along. She gave a orange lehenga to Sita and a green yellow lehenga to Urmila.
Ram and Lakshman knew they were trapped and had no escape. Once the ladies were ready they started.
Ram -Sita were in one chariot, and Lakshman- Urmila in another. As expected Sita was patiently listening to what Ram was telling, while Urmila pointed this and that and asked Lakshman questions.
" Arya where are the fields here. All I see is high rise buildings"
" Urmila fields are in the outskirts, this is city"
" No greenery. How dull " quipped Urmila. Lakshman looked at his bride's downcast face who was not finding any interest in high rise buildings.
" Urmila look there, there is a flower shop"
Her eyes widened " Didi she called out" Sita turned. " Didi look at the flowers. Shall we get some flowers"
Before Sita could tell something else, came another exclamation by Urmila " Didi look at that shop. Kaanch ki choodiyaan. Didi so many choodiyaan. Didi it is days since I have worn choodiyaan. We are always wearing this golden kangan's"
Sita signaled Urmila to calm down as by now the entire market place had assembled watching the princes with their brides. It was then Urmila noticed where she was and she stood silent.
" Rajkumar wont you give your bride the gift she is asking for" came a lady forward. Lakshman smiled. Well whether in palace or in street, they were secondary. Even Ayodhya vasis queued up to satisfy the needs of their princesses.
He looked at Ram. Ram turned to Sita " Sitae you love Kaanch ki choodiyaan"
Sita smiled and the lady told " Rajkumar which lady doesn't love Kaanch ki choodiyaan. You expect her to tell publicly. The princess wont. Come, come to the shop. I will show the most exquisite choodiyaan for the princesses.
They went to the shop. The lady started showing choodiyaan. Finally Sita selected red, green and orange, while Urmila went for pink, green and yellow. Ram asked the lady pack the bangles.
" No no Rajkumar. It is not like that. We are your praja. But today you have come to my shop with your new bride. So I wont pack them. Put the bangles auspiciously in the hands of the princess yourself.
Sita and Urmila were blushing now and Urmila looked at her husband. Lakshman had a mock anger, yet a twinkle in his eyes.
Ram at the same time was calm and serene, however a slight blush had appeared in his cheek also.
He took the bangles in his hand, Lakshman followed while both Sita and Urmila put their hands forward.
As Ram and Lakshman put the bangles gently in their brides hands, the whole of Ayodhya was feeling happy. They felt blessed to have Ram and Lakshman and they felt blessed to have Sita and Urmila as the Kulvadhus of Ayodhya. The couples looked happy, contented and they blessed let them stay forever like this.
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