Bharat was running on a straight, unknown road. There was all dark around him. He stops in between and started breathing heavily getting tired of running. He looks at his left side to find dark and no one around. He turns his head to look at his other side but again find no one. He turns around 360 degree and again to his disappointment, finds no one. He gets tensed and worried, both at the same time. He started sweating due to the fear of having no one around, specially his family. He closed his eyes in frustration when he felt someone's presence. He opens his eyes to find Ram standing at a distance from him. His eyes sparkled looking at his big brother, his biggest strength and his biggest weakness, infront of him.
RAM- Bharat...
Ram smile as he calls for Bharat for which Bharat gets happy.
BHARAT- bhaiya...
Bharat wipes his tears and was about to run towards Ram, when he saw Ram getting disappeared slowly. Bharat gets tensed and confused looking at the sight in front of him. Ram was going away from him and finally he gets disappeared from there.
BHARAT- bhaiya.... Bhaiyaaaaa.....
Bharat shouted loudly. He opens his eyes as the dangerous dream got broken.
SHATRUGHAN- bhaiya...??
Shatrughan opens the door of the cabin as he heard bharat shouting. He moves towards Bharat to find him all wet in sweat and breathing heavily.
SHATRUGHAN- bhaiya are you fine ?
Questioned Shatrughan, handing him a glass of water. Bharat looks at his younger brother and then at his surrounding to find himself sitting on the chair, in the cabin of his Hyderabad office. Bharat gulped and sighed in relief to know that it was just a dream.
SHATRUGHAN- bhaiya..
Shatrughan again calls him to gain his attention. Bharat takes the glass of water from him and drank in one breath.
SHATRUGHAN- what happened..? Aap chillaye kyu.?
Asked Shatrughan getting confused while Bharat looks at him.
BHARAT- sha.. Shatrughan.. bh..bhai... Ram bhaiya.. ka.. call aya tha..?
Asked Bharat while Shatrughan looks confused. He lightly shook his head denying while Bharat became tensed.
SHATRUGHAN- bhaiya.. you are fine right..??
Shatrughan questioned him again. Bharat looks at him without saying anything.
BHARAT- Shatrughan... Pata nahi kyu.. but... I am not feeling well..
Said Bharat while Shatrughan touched Bharat's head.
SHATRUGHAN- tabyet kharab hai? Fever..??
BHARAT- no..
Bharat interrupts, removing Shatrughan's hand from his head. He gets up from his place and moves towards the other side.
BHARAT- bohot... Ajib lag raha hai Shatrughan.. bohot negative.. it feels that.. something is not good..
Said Bharat getting worried thinking about his family. Shatrughan thinks about the phone call he had made to Shruti last night. And the conversation he had with both Shruti and Manvi. Both of them were sounding weird which gave Shatrughan a thought.
BHARAT- Shatrughan..??
Bharat calls for him, breaking his thoughts.
SHATRUGHAN- ha..?? Ha bhaiya..?
BHARAT- what are you thinking..??
Questioned Bharat looking at Shatrughan who lightly nods his head.
SHATRUGHAN- kuch khas nahi bhaiya.. wo.. yesterday I had a talk with Shruti and Manvi bhabhi..
Bharat scrunched his eyebrow to listen to him.
SHATRUGHAN- both were sounding weird..
BHARAT- weird..?? Matlab..??
Asked Bharat while Shatrughan moves towards him.
SHATRUGHAN- Matlab... They both were sounding out of their character...
Bharat looks more confused at Shatrughan's words.
SHATRUGHAN- wo Shruti.. jo all time excited mode me rehti hai, she was sounding tensed yesterday...
Bharat goes in thoughts hearing his words for Shruti.
SHATRUGHAN- and Manvi bhabhi bhi.. jald bazi me, mera call cut kar diya unhone..
BHARAT- ya.. Manvi mere call ko bhi, ignore kar rahi hai..
Interrupts Bharat as he remembers calling Manvi from last two days.
BHARAT- maximum for 2 minutes hamari bat hoti hai.. after that, unhe koi kam yad ajata hai and she disconnects the call..
Shatrughan gets worried hearing him. They both were thinking about what must be the reason behind their respective wife's behavior.
SHATRUGHAN- and.. ghar me bhi... Kisise bat nahi ho payi hai na..?
Bharat nods in agreement at his question.
BHARAT- it had been 2 days Shatrughan.. bhaiya ne call karke, project ke bare me bhi nahi pucha...
Said Bharat getting disappointed while Shatrughan smile at him.
SHATRUGHAN- oho.. so what is the big deal.. I'll make him a call now.
Said Shatrughan taking his cellphone from his pocket. He was about to make a call to Ram when Bharat's cellphone rang.
BHARAT- one minute shatru... Ghar se hai..
Shatrughan sighed in relief as Bharat told him about the call.
BHARAT- hello..
Bharat answered the phone.
VASHISHT- bharat...
Vashisht speak on call making Bharat confused.
BHARAT- namaste Guruji..
Shatrughan looks confused witnessing Guru Vashisht's call.
VASHISHT- khush raho.. tum kam me vyast to nahi ho na..??
Questioned Guruji while Bharat smile lightly.
BHARAT- nahi guruji.. kahiye na..
Vashisht searches for the words to speak. He didn't wanted to tell them about the matter on call. But it was important to tell Bharat and Shatrughan about the happenings at home.
VASHISHT- wo... Bharat... Tum aur Shatrughan.. aaj Mumbai laut aao..
Bharat gets surprised hearing him while Shatrughan watches his reaction.
BHARAT- aaj..?? Why Guruji..? What happened..?? Aap hume aaj hi wapis kyu bula rahe hai.?
Shatrughan gets surprised hearing Bharat while Vashisht searches for the reason.
BHARAT- Sab theek hai na waha..? Bhabhi..?? Is she alright..? Ya fir.. Papa ki tabyet to..?? Wo theek haina..?
Bharat asked him number of questions making Shatrughan frightened and Vashisht tensed.
VASHISHT- Bharat...
Guruji Vashisht stopped him from asking further.
VASHISHT- tum dono yaha aao, fir bat karte hai.. theek hai..?
Bharat was about to question him when Guru Vashisht disconnect the call.
BHARAT- disconnect kar diya..?
Shatrughan looks tensed while Bharat gets frightened.
SHATRUGHAN- what did Guruji said ?
BHARAT- hume.. aaj hi mumbai bulaya hai.. aur reason puchne pe, call disconnect kar diya..
Shatrughan looks confused hearing him. Both of them were thinking about the reason when Bharat speaks.
BHARAT- Shatrughan.. I had told you na.. mujhe ajib feel horaha hai..
Said Bharat thinking about the worst scenario.
BHARAT- kahi.. papa...??
SHATRUGHAN- bhaiyaa..??
Shatrughan shouts at him, stopping him from thinking the worst.
BHARAT- nahi.. sab theek hi hoga..
Bharat pacified himself while Shatrughan looks unconvinced.
BHARAT- do one thing shatru.. book the tickets now, for the recent flight.. we have to leave soon..
Shatrughan nods at him in agreement and take his cellphone to book their tickets.
BHARAT- ab to Mumbai jake hi pata chalega.. what had happened there...
Said Bharat getting tensed while Shatrughan gulped getting frightened...
*****
Morning at Raghuvanshi palace was unusual today. Everyday their morning would start with Siya's melodious voice, singing the Ramayana phrases, but today, it was manvi's responsibility.
MANVI- सुनत भरतु भए बिबस बिषादा। जनु सहमेउ करि केहरि नादा॥
Manvi looks sad, as she read the lines from the holy book, while Shruti and Sumitra were sitting beside her joining their hands.
MANVI- Ayodhya me jo kuch bhi hua, wo sab sunkar, Bharat vivash hogaye.. jaise koi sher ekdum sehem jata ho..
Manvi thinks about Bharat and how would he react. She thinks about the worst scenarios which could occur in their house after Bharat and Shatrughan's return. Kranti comes down the stairs and moves towards the temple where the three ladies were praying.
MANVI- भरतहि बिसरेउ पितु मरन सुनत राम बन गौनु।
हेतु अपनपउ जानि जियँ थकित रहे धरि मौनु॥
A tear drops from manvi's eyes as she stops in between. Sumitra and Shruti looks at each other and then at Manvi while Kranti too looks confused.
SUMITRA- Manvi...
Sumitra touched her shoulder, calling her while Manvi nods her head continuing the phrases.
MANVI- prabhu Ram ko vanvas milne ki khabar sunkar, Bharat apne pita ke jane ka dukh bhul gaye. Aur inn sab ka karan khudko dekhar dhairya khote gaye..
Sumitra's eyes falls on Kranti who was listening to manvi's words. Kranti too looks at Sumitra while she turns to look at other side.
MANVI- धीरज धरि भरि लेहिं उसासा। पापिनि सबहि भाँति कुल नासा॥
Mandira enters there and became happy looking at Manvi doing the morning puja instead of siya.
MANVI- sari bate sunkar, dhiraj dhare, Bharat ji kaikaiye par jor se chillaye. Unhone bhala bura kehte hue unhone apni maa ko papi aur kulnashini bhi kaha.
Sumitra closed her eyes and nods in disbelief. Manvi couldn't read more as she was getting emotional. She joins her hands in front of God and closed the book. The ladies gets up from their place and turns to witness Kranti and Mandira.
MANDIRA- very nicely sung Manvi.. tumhare awaz me to jadu hai..
Mandira praises Manvi while she didn't bother to look at her.
MANDIRA- areh.. ye kya..? Where is Urmila..? Didn't she came for Puja.?
Asked Mandira searching for Urmila in her sides, while no one answered her. Kranti looks at the girls.
KRANTI- Manvi.. Shruti.. masi has questioned you both.. answer her..
Said Kranti while Shruti bows down having no interest to answer and Manvi looks angrily towards Kranti.
MANVI- we don't have any interest to answer this lady. But yes, you can.. qki iss ghar me bas aap hi hai jo inki bakwas sunti hai..
Kranti looks in surprise by her sudden outburst while Mandira looks frightened. Sumitra keeps her hand on manvi's shoulder asking her to be quiet.
KRANTI- ye kya tarika hai bat karne ka Manvi.?
Kranti questioned her sounding strict.
MANVI- maa.. mene na, hamesha se life se yahi sikha hai.. jaise ko taisa..
Manvi gave a stern look at Mandira and continued.
MANVI- tit for tat...
Mandira gulped looking at her anger. Sumitra watches kranti's reaction.
SUMITRA- breakfast ka time horaha hai.. Manvi.. come lets go.. Shruti.. go and look for Urmila..
Shruti nods at her and leaves from there in urmila's room while Sumitra takes Manvi in kitchen. Kranti watches them going while Mandira nods in disbelief.
MANDIRA- lo bolo.. pehele ye sab Ram aur Siya ki language bolte the.. now when they are gone, ye log apni manmani karne lage..
Mandira said to Kranti while she rolls her eyes not paying attention to her. She joins her hands in front of God and moves towards the couch while Mandira follows her.
MANDIRA- waise.. suna hai, today Bharat and Shatrughan are returning.. ??
Questioned Mandira while Kranti looks tensed.
MANDIRA- un dono ka kam khatam hogaya hai kya.? They were about to return next week but suddenly they are coming today...
Mandira asked getting confused while Kranti looks at her.
KRANTI- Guruji ne unhe bula liya hai..
Mandira nods lightly while Kranti kept on getting tensed.
KRANTI- masi.. I'm getting really worried.
Mandira's eyebrows scrunched hearing her.
MANDIRA- worried..? For what..?
Kranti thinks about her worries while Mandira rolls her eyes.
MANDIRA- kranti.. ab to tumhare dono bete wapis arahe hai. And soon Lakshman is going to return.. ab jald hi Bharat MD ban jayega and your family will get complete...
Said Mandira getting excited while Kranti sighed hearing her.
KRANTI- itna asan nahi hai ye sab masi..
Said Kranti suddenly making Mandira confused.
KRANTI- Bharat and Shatrughan ko sambhalne me.. pata nahi kya karna padega..
Said Kranti sounding worried. Her eyes falls in front where Shruti and Urmila were standing, who have heard her talks. Mandira and Kranti looks at Urmila who seems to be crying for a long time. She was looking dull with her eyes swelled due to tears.
SHRUTI- ehmm.. dii..
Shruti interrupts their stare.
SHRUTI- chalo..
Both the girls were about to leave from there towards the dinning when Kranti stops them.
KRANTI- Urmila...
Urmila was looking down while Kranti moves towards her.
KRANTI- didn't you sleep well.? Tabyet kharab lag rahi hai tumhari... Doctor ko bula le..?
Kranti looks worried for her and was about to touch her head when Urmila steps back making her surprise.
URMILA- no need.. you don't need to get tensed for me.. mein theek hu..
Answered Urmila without looking at her. She leaves with Shruti from there while Kranti kept on looking at them having tears.
MANDIRA- kranti...
Mandira moves towards her and she wipes her tears.
MANDIRA- filhal sablog tumse naraz hai, but jab unhe samajh ayega that you have done a favor on them, then they will talk with you.. have patience..
Kranti nods at her lightly.
MANDIRA- and come on.. smile now . Aaj Bharat aur Shatrughan arahe hai.. rona dhona karke, mood off mat karo.. samjhi..?
Asked Mandira holding her hands while Kranti smile at her nodding in agreement...
*****
Ram was busy in his phone and scrabbing something down on the notepad, kept in front of him. He looks in the phone, searches something, thinks for a while and finally notes it down in the paper. Siya watches him doing that, who was standing on the door having a cup of tea with her.
SIYA- ram...
Ram looks at her as she calls his name. She moves towards him and hands him the cup.
RAM- thank you..
Ram thanked her with a smile. She settled beside him and looks at the paper while Ram watches her.
RAM- wo... Rent ke liye ghar dekhe the.. online, kuch sites se.. use hi bas summarise kar raha tha..
Said Ram while she smile at him lightly.
RAM- siya.. I was thinking.. ki hamare factory site ke area me hi rent house dekhte hai. It will be better for us.. what you say..??
Asked Ram while Siya nods in agreement.
RAM- and.. if we look for furnished house, then there will be already bed, wardrobe and other furnitures..
Said Ram showing her the paper where he have noted down the some of the rental flats. While she started looking for the list.
RAM- but we will need other things too.. essential needs, grocery.. etc..
Siya motioned her eyes to look at him. He smile at her and get busy having his tea while Siya thinks of the words to start the conversation.
SIYA- Ram..
RAM- hmm..??
Siya again went silent, not understanding how to say while Ram looks at her reaction.
RAM- what happened.?
Asked Ram while Siya smile at him lightly.
SIYA- wo.. Ram.. we can also use the money from.. my.. acc.. account..
Ram looks at her as she stammered to say those words. She looks at his reactions.
SIYA- don't get me wrong Ram.. me bas hum sabke help ke liye bol rahi thi. I know ki aap mujhe kabhi dukh nahi pphochne denge. Par.. mera bhi to, kuch haq banta hai.. aapke liye, Lakshman ke liye..
Ram smile at Siya's long explaination. He keeps the cup on table and hold Siya's hand.
SIYA- I.. I am sorry.. agar.. if I've hurt you..
Said Siya feeling apologetic while Ram giggle at her words.
RAM- you think like that.? Mujhe kabhi aapki koi bat ka bura lag sakta hai.?
Questioned Ram while Siya sighed in relief.
RAM- but siya..I will say sorry to you because.. I can't take anything from you..
Siya looks at him in wonder.
RAM- wo sab aapka hai Siya. You've earned that being a Rajrishi. I don't have right on that..
Siya looks disappointed.
SIYA- kya mujhpar aapka haq nahi hai.?
Asked Siya feeling hurt while Ram smile at her.
RAM- bilkul hai.. but please try to understand my words.. agar hum chahte to yaha bhi to reh sakte the na. Why we are searching for another house.?
Asked Ram while Siya bows down trying to understanding his motive.
RAM- this is your house. Your Papa's house, us hisab se, hamara yaha rehna is not a big deal.. but still we will not be staying here right.?
Siya nods at him lightly.
RAM- the same way.. we can't use that money to buy a rental house and other things..
SIYA- par Ram.. if we are in a need then we can use that money right..?
Siya interrupts him while he looks at her in confusion.
RAM- need? Who told you that we don't have anything with us..?
Siya scrunched her eyebrows in confusion. Ram takes her hand in his and smile at her.
RAM- mere pas.. Siya jaisi wife hai..
Siya smile at his words.
RAM- Lakshman jaisa bhai hai.. maa papa ka ashirwad hai..sabka pyar hai.. aur kya chahiye..?
Siya giggle at his words.
SIYA- har bat ka jawab dena to koi aapse sikhe..
Ram laughs at her words.
RAM- acha.. seriously speaking. I have some cash with me.. usse one month ka expenses hojayega.. and then we will get salary next month, after working in factory..
Siya feels sad for him. The Ram Raghuvanshi, who's right was to rule on whole Raghuvanshi enterprises, is talking about his monthly salary and expenditure. Ram gets busy in his phone while Siya keeps her head on his shoulder.
RAM- kya hua..?
Asked Ram while she controls her feelings.
SIYA- kuch nahi.. aise hi..
Ram pecks her forehead lightly while Siya closed her eyes praying for God to give them strength. Lakshman, who was standing near the door, have heard their conversation.
LAKSHMAN- I can't see bhaiya bhabhi like this .. mujhe khud unke liye ek acha sa ghar dhundhna chahiye.
Said Lakshman to himself and smile looking at Ram and Siya.
*****
References:
Shlokas: Sampoorna Ramayana- Ayodhya kand
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Indian Mythology
Chakravarti Samrat Prithviraj Chauhan
Shiv Shakti
Anupamaa
1.2k