A DIFFERENT LAKSHMILA OS : THE OTHER SIDE OF ME
Hello Everyone! I am Anu and I am back with another OS, and this time its on our favourite LakshMila ! However, I wanted to portray a different side of the pair through this work of mine; LakshMila as Parents. Though we've not seen them as the same through most Ramayana interpretations on screen, I hope to fulfil this incompleteness with this short story :)
I do hope you enjoy it :)
Feedbacks are requested and appreciated from the bottom of my heart :)
Disclaimer: In this OS, Mata Sita is not sent to an exile by Lord Rama in her pregnancy, and this I have taken to be just for creative purposes. I do not wish to hurt anyones religious sentiments and if I have done so, do forgive me.
Also, the time period in this OS is not completely accurate due to lack of authentic sources. Do take in account the same.
Keeping that aside, I hope you like it.
Enjoy!
THE OTHER SIDE OF ME
"Bhabi, I sincerely request you to take some rest. Please understand that my sweet little nephews in your womb need their mother to stay well too," said Lakshman, giggling and in a possessive tone at the same time.
His Sita Bhabi, a mother like figure to him, carried the future of Raghukul in her womb. And Lakshman, their Uncle, was protective of them even before their birth. They were no less to him than his own children.
"Lakshman," said Sita softly, cupping his face in her hands while seated on the swing in her room, "I am completely fine. Nothing will happen to me and your dearest nephews in your presence, everyone knows that. You should go and take some rest."
"Bhabi," he said while giving her a glass of water from the jug kept on the table beside the swing, "When I am in YOUR presence, I do not feel tired."
Lakshman sat at her feet and placed his head on her lap.
"Bhabi, seeing you I wonder, how incredible a woman is. You took so many troubles all through those 14 years of Vanvaas, and now, you are carrying two humans in you. It's just so.. amusing."
Sita laughed, ruffling through Lakshmans golden brown hair.
"Lakshman, when you are to become a parent, you dont see the pain in it. It never appears so to you. All that appears is love, care and affection. A new sense of responsibility." She paused. "But Lakshman, I have a complaint with you."
Lakshman's head shot up at Siya.
"What is it Bhabi? Am I hurting you? I am so Sorry Bhabi I didnt mean to.."
Siya placed a tender hand on his head and said,
"No dear, nothing like that. I have a complaint with the fact that you are forgetting something."
"What Bhabi? Anything about Ram Bhaiyya?"
"Oh, for once Lakshman ! Stop thinking about me and Raghunandan. Think about yourself. You too are soon to become a father, Lakshman. You too have some responsibilities towards Urmila and your children.I know you are responsible Lakshman, but you should spend more time with my little sister."
Lakshman stood up slowly and looked away, smiling. Of all the things that occupied his mind, his wife and his children were one of the most prominent ones.
From the day he came to know he was to become a father, the smile on his face never erased. ..
(Three months ago)
The morning was as bright as the fresh dewdrops on the leaves of a yellow plant. From the Rajbhavan too, one could hear the early morning's musings of the locals and the excitement in the people of Ayodhya.
The people were rejoiced with the fact that Raghukul was to have a heir. Their King and Queen were to be blessed with all the love the Gods could shower. And, Bharat and Mandvi too were expecting twins. The palace was soon to be filled with cheers and whines.
Lakshman sat up straight in his bed. Taking in a deep breath, he looked to his side.
Every morning, he would see Urmila's smiling face and then proceed to his Brother Ram's room to touch his feet and begin his day.
But today, Urmila wasn't there. Lakshman looked around the huge room, but she was no where to be seen.
"Urmila?" he called out, but no answer.
Lakshman got up and went to the balcony. No, she wasn't there either.
He turned to face the table beside their bed.
"Has she gone somewhere and left a note for me?" he mumbled to himself. "She wouldn't do that unless its an emergency."
He went on searching for a note from her when,
"Swami.."
Lakshman turned around swiftly and smiled. Urmila was standing at the doorstep of their room, smiling.
Lakshman noticed, there was something different about her smile today. She was glowing. As if her eyes were radiating a new energy and her soul feeling rejuvenated.
"Come in Urmila, why are you standing there?"
It was the first time in many years that Urmila blushed when Lakshman called her inside. Definitely, there was something different about her today.
Urmila came in and latched it from inside.
Lakshman smirked.
"What are you doing Urmila?" he asked cheekishly.
Urmila faced him with the same smile.
Lakshman grinned .
"Swami.." she said again and to his surprise, came running into his arms.
Lakshman moved back a little and held her tightly.
"Urmila, what happened? Why are you so excited? Any good news around ?"
Urmila looked up to him, still in his embrace . Tears of joy filled her eyes.
"Swami," she said in her joyful voice, " You're going to be a father!"
Lakshman's heartbeat sped up. He blinked twice. It was an adrenaline rush he had never experienced before.
"Swami, did you hear me? You're going to be a father and I a mother! I am pregnant!" she repeated.
A smile broke through on Lakshmans face. His eyes brimmed up to the full. His mind rushed with thoughts and he felt a new sense of awareness.
"I... I am going to be a father? We will have children?"
Urmila laughed. The fiery Lakshman became childish in a second.
"Yes Swami , we are going to have a bundle of joy in our arms soon!"
Lakshman took in a deep breath and Urmila placed her head against his chest. Both listened to the wonderful joy in silence.
"Congratulations Lakshman, my brother, you really have grown up now," giggled and said Ram as he blessed Lakshman and Urmila in the family courtyard.
Lakshman and Urmila stood up and turned to each other.
Yes, truly they had grown up. No longer were they they quarrelling couple always ready to jump into any fire. They were to become parents now, and everything around them had changed.
"
"Lakshman ?"
Siya shook him up for the third time, but Lakshman seemed to be lost in his thoughts.
He finally turned back at Siya and apologising, made her sit back.
"Bhabi, I need to go now. You're right. Take rest Bhabi."
"I will, you go."
Lakshman touched her feet and walked out, to be with his dearest.
"
"Urmila, you are just like Bhabi. None of you listen to me."
Lakshman held Urmilas arm softly and made her sit on the swing in their balcony.
"Swami, its you who is the one thats over possessive. Nothing will happen to us."
Lakshman sat beside her and taking her hand in his caressed it softly.
"Urmila, I dont know how it feels to bear a child, but for all I know, I am going to be a father, and its my duty to keep you safe."
"I know Swami. Don't worry, your children are as strong as you. Nothing will happen to them."
Lakshman smiled.
"But what about their mother?"
Urmila gave him a fake angry look.
"Oh, you think Im weak?"
They both started at each other and laughed. Urmila rested her head on Lakshmans shoulder and said,
"Swami, how we changed in such a small time, didnt we? I feel so different. For all the years you were away, I waited quietly in my sleep, but now I am so impatient for the day that I will hold my children in my arms."
" Same with Urmila. I have lost my sleep, again." They both shared a laugh.
"Swami, what will we name our sons?"
"I dont know Urmila. For all I know, I will keep the best future for them I possibly can."
"
"Oh citizens of Ayodhya!!! Rejoice as we have new kings amongst us !!! Our King and Queen have been blessed with two sons!! Let the Gods shower their love upon them! "
The drumbeats sounded louder than ever possible. All the citizens greeted each other with sweets and smiles. It was as if a child had been born in their own house.
Lakshman ran to the doctor attending to Siya.
"Mahodaya, is my mother alright?"
"She is perfectly fine, Prince. The children too are of good health."
Lakshman told the attendants to bring in ornaments for the Lady. He was overjoyed.
Lakshman and Urmila ran together to the private royal hall where Ram and the others were with their nephews.
Everyone gathered around the two new born beings. Sumitra made way for Lakshman and Urmila.
Lakshman looked at the two sleeping boys and smiled.
Urmila said, "My, they look exactly like Ram Bhaiyya right now!"
Both of them thought, the same will happen to us soon too.
Sumitra placed her hand on Lakshmans shoulder and said,
"Son, you too will have healthy children like them. And I am sure they too will be devoted to rams children." Lakshman smiled.
Luv and Kush were the names decided for Rams and Siyas sons. After a few months, Bharat and Mandvis children, Taksha and Pushkala were born. Lakshman couldnt control himself any longer.
"
"Bhaiyya, she will be fine, no?" asked a tensed Lakshman as he waited with Ram outside the doctors room. Urmila was in labour.
Ram hugged Lakshman and said,
"Lakshman, everything will be fine. It is common of a father to think so. She will be alright."
"AGGHH!!!" came a yell from the room.
Lakshman looked at the door, tensed. Suddenly, he heard a cry. A cry of a baby. Then another cry.
"Congratulations, my brother. You are a father now," said Ram.
Never had a cry been so joyful for him. As soon as the doctor came out, Lakshman joined his hands together and asked,
"How is my wife? My children? Are they fine?"
The doctor smiled. "I understand your excitement, Prince. Lady Urmila is well. And you have been blessed with two sons of good health."
Lakshman thanked her and went straight in.
Urmila lay still on the bed, her eyes slighty open.
"Swami.." she called to him.
Lakshman sat next to her and held her hand.
"Urmila, I am right here. Are you fine?"
She nodded.
"Where are my sons, Swami?"
Just then, an attendant brought in the two boys, each wrapped in the most exquisite and soft of cloth.
Lakshman lost his powerful attitude. For a second, he forgot he was a Prince, a warrior, a brother or a husband. For then, he was just a father. His life was coming closer to him. It was as if he was seeing himself for the first time.
Lakshman raised his arms wide open as the attendant placed the two children in them. The powerful hands of the fighter suddenly became soft and loose. Carefully, he brought his two sons closer to him and looked at them.
A tear welled up in his eyes but Lakshman controlled it, just because it would fall on one of his sons. He brought them closer to his chest and smiled. Lakshman was speechless.
"Swami, how do they look?" asked a tried urmila.
"Exactly like you," said lakshman in a soft and broken voice. He was overwhelmed.
"But Swami, for the one moment that I saw them, I thought they looked like you.." Urmila dozed off.
Lakshman kissed them lightly on the forehead.
"My sons, welcome to this world. Its a difficult place, but I know, you will succeed. "
Lakshman slowly stood up with them still in his arms.
He walked out and brought them to Ram .
Ram took one of them in his hands and said,
"Lakshman, I am so happy for you! My sons are so beautiful."
Lakshman smiled widely when Ram referred to his Sons as his own. He knew, his own sons would have a perfect guide for them.
"
"Angad, the one born from the body, and Chandraketu, the one from the moon, may they be blessed by god!"
Vashisth blessed the two sons of Lakshman, Angad and Chandraketu.
"Aren't the names heavenly, Swami," Urmila whispered in lakshmans ear.
"So are my sons," he replied.
"
Years passed, quickly for all the parents specially. Shatrughans children, Shatrughatee and Subahu, Angad and Chandraketu, Taksh and Pushkal and Luv and Kush, resembled their parents in all the ways possible.
Bonding with each other on the smallest of activities, helping each other without having to express anything, and being by each others side, it was in them from birth itself it seemed.
One fine day,
Angad and Chandraketu came running to Lakshman in their room.
Lakshman looked up from his book at them and smiled. The boys, no more than 4 years of age, were always beaming with energy.
Urmila came from the balcony and joined in on the family time.
"Pita jee ."
The two boys jumped on Lakshman's lap and hugged him tightly. Lakshman loved to hear that call from them.
Lakshman kissed them on their head and asked,
"What happened? Why are you both so excited?"
Angad smiled and said,
"Pita jee , we just came to know, that Luv Bhaiyya and Kush Bhaiyya will become kings when they grow up!"
Lakshman looked at Urmila and laughed. Looking back at Angad, he said,
"But didnt you already know that?"
Chandraketu added,
"We knew Father, but we thought only one of them would be..And now, Ayodhya will have two-two kings!"
The parents smiled at their child's tender gestures.
"Pita jee, will we also rule some place when we grow up?" asked Angad.
"Ofcourse Angad," said Urmila," Your Jyesht Pitajee will assign you a lot of work to do. And you have to do it properly."
"But how will we, Maa?" asked Chandraketu.
"For that," said Lakshman, "You both will have to go to Gurukul. You will stay there for many years, like we and our forefathers did, and you will learn everything."
In an instant, both their faces fell.
"Does that mean we will have to go away from you?" asked Angad in a little voice.
Urmila looked down and made a pity face. She didnt want her sons to go away, but she knew, to was only for their betterment.
Lakshman too held them tighter as Angad asked him the question. But more than holding them close to him, he would be happier if they came back as powerful men.
"Angad, Chandraketu, dont ever fear being separated from us. Your mother and I are always here to help you anytime. Remember, that you always have to be good people irrespective of everything else. Don't worry for us, ever, always think about the others. That will keep you happy in life."
Though small, the two boys engraved in their mind whatever Lakshmn told them and repeated what he said. Seeing his two gems to be so bright, Lakshman treated them to a box of new toys.
"You are spoiling them, Swami." said Urmila.
Lakshman didnt listen, he was too busy showing them there new goodies.
"
Urmila and Lakshman waited for all the 8 sons anxiously. 16 years had passed, and they were all returning from the Gurukul.
"Swami, how would they look?"
"I dont know Urmila, only Ram Bhaiyya has seen them till now. They can come any moment."
From the pedestal of the palace, even in the bright sun, Lakshmans eyes fell on the royal flag at a distance.
He tugged at urmila and said,
"They are coming!! I see the flag."
All of them rushed down and waited.
The sound of the hooves neared and Ram entered in complete grace, with a beaming smile.
Siya moved ahead with the Aarti Thali in her hand.
As all of them stood in a line behind Ram, it was a scene to behold. The whole crowd showered flowers on the 8 men.
Lakshman saw Luv and Kush. They resembled Ram build wise and had Siyas elegant eyes. The peace Ram reflected at all times was in them too.
He then saw Pushkal, Taksh, Subahu, and Shatrughatee . All well grown and not a hint of arrogance. Taksh was the tallest of them all.
And then, he saw Angad. Tall, strong and smiling. Lakshman gleamed with pride. And Chandraketu, he carried Lakshmans swiftness. Showing his wide dimple, he kept looking at Lakshman again and again.
"Swami, aren't they so wonderful! All of them! And look at Angad and Chandra, my, they look exactly like you!" Urmila couldnt control her excitement.
After all the ceremonies were over, Urmila and Lakshman retired to their rooms waiting for all of them to come on the next day.
The brothers entered following Kush and touched Lakshmans and urmilas feet.
"May you all live long!" blessed Lakshman.
"May you all be happy!'" said Urmila.
They talked for a while and left.
After a while,
"Man! Pitjaee!" Lakshman and Urmila hugged Angad and Chankdraketu as they came running in, with the same energy. But this time, Lakshman almost fell back when Angad hugged him.
"My son! How have you been all this while?"
"Well, father. But we missed you and Maa every day."
The parents sat on the bed while they boys sat at their feet.
"Maa, you look the same still!" said Chandra.
"And Me?" asked Lakshman.
"Pita jee , you look younger than us."
Lakshman had a hearty laugh after a long time.
"
" To all the listeners, as I crown Kush as ruler of Ayodhya and Luv as Ruler of The other Half of my land, I also state that I shall divide my entire kingdom under the sons of my brothers." Ram said loudly a few days after they had come back.
" I give Pushkal and Taksh the lands of..." and he said so for them and Shtraughans sons.
"And for Angad and Chandraketu, I have thought of two kingdoms which I have specially chosen to be guided by them. Angad shall rule the western land and Chandraketu the northern. Angad shall be guided by Prince Lakshmana in the inital days as the region is full of difficult terrain and harsh habitat."
Lakshman cast a look at his two sons as he stood beside Ram in the court. Their childhood dream was now true.
"
"But Bhaiyya, does that mean i have to be away from you?" asked Lakshman to Ram in his chambers.
"Yes Lakshman, but only for a year. You need to guide Angad. Make my distance from you worthwhile."
Lakshman touched his feet and walked out.
Outside, he met Both of them.
"Angad and Chandraketu, you have a lot of responsibility. And I hope you will fulfil your parts well."
"But Pita Jee, why will you not be with me?" asked Chandra.
"Son, I need to be with Angad for a year as I need to show him some things. Im sure you will be perfect on your own. Come, lets prepare for our journey.'
"
Years passed again. Gloom had taken over.
The sisters of Mithila had gone back to the heavens, making the halves of the goddess Lakshmi they were a part of.
" I, Son of Dashrath Ram, keeping this world as a witness, disown you Prince Lakshman."
The phrase kept repeating in Lakshmans mind as he changed into his white vastram.
Angad and Chandraketu came straight from their provinces into the room.
"Pita Jee!!!"
They fell at his feet and pleaded,
"Pita Jee! We can't see you go Pita Jee! We already lost maa, we will be deserted Pita Jee!"
It tore Lakshman to see his sons weep, but he had no choice.
He made them stand up and hugged them for the last time.
"Son, always remember whatever Ive told you thought my life. And remember that I'm always in your heart. In my life, after Ram Bhaiyya and Bhabi, Urmila and you both are the ones most precious. Be happy, son."
He left them and walked out.
Lakshman stepped into the waters and prepared himself for his final breath.
Of all the images that flashed in his mind, his sons he saw too.
They had made him find a completely different side of him.
""""x""""
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!!!
I FINISHED THIS IN 3 HOURS ON THE REQUEST OF A FRIEND ... HOPE YOU LIKE IT !!
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THANKS !!
Also, sorry for the errors.
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