Prompt And You Shall Receive: Lakshmila Drabbles Part 8 on Pg 33 *New*

3. Memories that haunt prompted by Sru and Ranju.

Rejection 😭

It isn't like that he doesn't like her...yes she irks him almost everytime they cross paths and most of the time he is pretty vocal in expressing his displeasure but deep down if he is being honest with himself, he isn't sure what these feelings are...why is it so difficult to block her out from his mind these days. Everytime she smiles, he finds himself stealing a glance or two at her, the way her eyes just lit up with mischief whenever she has an idea to execute, or the way she chews her lower lip when she's thoughtful...True he's observant but that's what he is. Being a Rajkumar is no mean task mind you and that too for someone who has dedicated his whole life to serve his brother! From the day they set foot in Mithila, the land of true knowledge and wisdom, Lakshman knew their life was going to change...but what he didn't have any idea about was the magnaminity of the affair!

Wasn't it his elder brother who was getting married to the the beautiful eldest daughter of Rajrishi Janak? Wasn't it just a few hours ago when he along with rest of his two brothers were attending Ram and Sita's diya milan ceremony? Then how did the entire scenario change in matter of few hours? Why on earth would his father propose the marriage of all the four brothers together on the same very day which is what...just 3 days from now?

The moment King Dasharatha put forth his inner desire to see all his four sons getting married on the same day, Lakshman's heart was filled with premonition...who did his father choose for Lakshman? The moment Dasharatha took the name of Urmila, the second daughter of King Janak, he was elated even if the feeling of elation stayed only for a couple of minutes. This wasn't planned! This wasn't what was supposed to happen!! The entire idea was preposterous!!! What about his promise to himself that he would never marry?! He could never put someone else's need over his Ram bhaiya's and no one in their right mind would agree to marry a man who would always consider his brother's orders and wishes as his top priority...no questions asked. Hence, marriage was never on the cards for this Dasharathanandan! But life is not what one always expects it to be. Is it? Neither is it fair and just.

How was he even going explain his predicament to anyone? Surely he couldn't with his father!! Discussing such matters with Shatrughan was out of question...even through they are twins..they shared nothing common and they were as different as chalk and cheese. Bharat bhaiya could have been an option but the poor guy seems to be torn between their father's decision and princess Mandavi's obvious rejection. How could anybody refuse Bharat!! He was the kindest soul one could come across, yes he was a little timid and withdrawn but he was a jewel of a man and if Mandavi doesn't realize what kind of a man she was rejecting then it's her loss...thought Lakshman vehemently. Although he has always managed to pull Bharat's leg and has teased him on numerous occasion, he would never want his brother to go through the pain and ignominy of refusal . Yet he didn't have time for all this confusion...he was waging a war within himself! He was a torn man himself and he was surely not the right person to provide counsel on matters of heart!!

He knew he has to talk to Ram bhaiya, he was the only one who could put him out of his quandary. Ram has always known to impart honest advice however difficult it is in situations like this. His Ram Bhaiya would never fail him...he was sure of that but was he even ready to voice his inner turmoils? Yet beggars can't be choosers...right?

Lakshman hurried out of their tent which he was sharing with Ram ...he was a man on mission...he had to find his Ram Bhaiya real quick and tell him all about...? WHAT WAS HE GOING TO SAY!! His heart was screaming out for him to stop but he couldn't. He must tell his bhaiya that he couldn't get married to anyone...he was not going to drag along another life in his path which has been preordained.

Lakshman was glad to find Ram right under the big banyan tree in the ashram with his eyes closed in meditation . He stood there perplexed fidgeting with the rings on his fingers as he knew better than to disturb his brother from his meditation. Ram slowly opened his eyes with a small smile tugging at the corner of his upturned mouth. He had already sensed that something was eating away at his brother. His usual cheerful demeanour was somewhat subdued and by looking at his younger brother he could clearly see the onset of worry that was clouding his handsome face. Something was surely bothering Lakshman!

" Is there anything that you wanted to tell me?" Asked Ram softly as he rose from his asana smiling softly at his brother.

"Yes...no...I mean I don't know.." replies Lakshman looking visibly distressed. WHAT COULD HE SAY!!

"You know you can tell me anything right and I am your brother, I can tell when there's something that's bothering you...you that right?" Ram put his right hand on Lakshman's shoulder and gestured him to continue. Lakshman on the other hand took a deep breath and said, " All this is too distresssing, Father fixing our marriages out of the blue I mean." He rushes on, "Did he even think about asking us before proposing?..whether we wanted this or not?"

Ram smiled at his younger firebrand of a brother and shook his head affectionately; "Since when did parents in Ayodhya start seeking permission from their sons before fixing their marriages? And why are you so set against the idea of marriage all of a sudden? These are not pre wedding jitters are they?" quipped Ram.

"What?? No...I mean...THIS whole arrangement is impossible...and it was unfair on Father's part..." Lakshman trailed off as Ram mildly rebuked him for speaking against their father. "Lakshman!" cautioned Ram.

"I am sorry Bhaiya for being so brazen...but YOU of all people should know that I cannot marry! I have sworn to celebacy and it would be unethical to bring somebody into my life when my first and foremost allegiance is toward you Bhaiya. For long, I have already chosen my path and married is not what I have ever envisioned myself to be." Lakshman silently implored his brother to understand his plight.

"Lakshman..sometimes when one is indecisive he should let his elders decide for him. None of us want you to be unhappy"

"It is not that...to me being able to fulfil the duties of your brother outweighs any other role our father wants me to play...how can be devoted to someone else if your wellbeing is my sole concern?!" Lakshman asked in desperation. "Isn't that being dishonest to that person or to the relationship? What if she questions about what my dharma is as her husband?" As Lakshman stopped his tirade since he was quite out of breath, he noticed Ram in deep contemplation.

"In that case, you should talk to father and tell him about your position...but Lakshman I would ask you to rethink your decision...do think about the repercussions...once the word is out of your mouth you will not be able to take them back...think about Urmila...what's her fault in all this?" Ram knew very well that deep inside his brother's heart, there's a soft corner for this girl...the chirpy and effervescent younger princess of Mithila...The slight smiles...the sudden sprightly gait of his brother these days haven't gone unnoticed by him. Ram was quite sure of the feelings of his brother for this unique if only he would accept his heart's calling! Ram sighed and turned around to see his brother torn inbetween his desire to be with the girl and to do what's right according to him. Silly boy!

"I am doing this for her Bhaiya..." Lakshman answerd almost in a whisper.

"I am saving her from a life of undending period of waiting and heartbreak...I am a torn man..I have nothing to offer her...she has to understand this Bhaiya...better now than later. I wouldn't want her to resent me on something which is beyond my control...I cannot marry her Bhaiya..." Desperation was dripping from his every word . Suddenly there was a rustle of fallen leaves on the ground just behind them. The two brothers turned abruptly around only to find the very person in question standing behind them with a shocked look on her pretty face!

For a minute Lakshman thought somebody has thrown a pail of ice cold water on him. Did she hear everything he was saying? Ofcourse she did or else why would she look like she was going to faint at any second! How could he have been so one sighted! Her face was ashen, devoid of any colour..and her large doe eyes looked so hurt...that Lakshman was sure her look would haunt him till the end of his days.

Ram was the first recover from the shock of this sudden awkward meeting. "Pranam Rajkumari! How can we help you?

Urmila found herself tongue-tied for the first time in her life. She felt someone must have pulled the rug from under her feet. She couldn't look at any of them, "Si...Sita didi wanted me to tell you that Mandavi didi has given her assent to the we-wedding." She fumbled.

She was a princess for God's sake and she couldn't articulate a single sentence properly what was WRONG with her...is she so transperant...didn't she learn a thing at Mata Gargi's school, that one should never express her emotions so uninhibitedly! She needed to leave...needed to leave right then. She could feel Lakshman's steady gaze on her. Why was he looking at me like this...like he could see my soul...he has no RIGHT Urmila wailed inside...He doesn't want me in his life...he doesn't lo...her thoughts were interuppted when she heard the bout of jubilance around her. She looked up to find the brothers hugging and congradulating Prince Bharat. When did Bharat and Shatrughana join the little group ?

"Thank you Urmila for bringing such good news." Beamed Ram as he releases Bharat from his embrace.

"My pleasure, I am happy that I could be the harbinger of such good news after all I am the Vidhikari in this wedding. First I had one wedding to take care of but now I have two more to look forward to." Her sarcasm wasn't lost on either of the two brothers. She gives a tight smile to all and adds, "I might consider turning professional!" With a hollow laugh she steals a glance at Lakhman to find him looking at her as if she might have just struck him literally. All Urmila wanted was to get away and cry her heart out for the love that was never hers in the first place. To mourn the death of a future she could never have. Oh God why did you have to make everything so difficult? Urmila never thought rejection could hurt this bad!

"I'll take your leave now Jijashree...as I have got to help Ma and Choti Ma out...they have their hands full." With a slight bow she leaves. Urmila could swear she heard Lakshman whispering, "Mila!" as if to beckon her to stop. But he wouldn't do that...why would he? Wasn't he the one who rejected her!

"Why was Princess Urmila talking about three weddings Bhaiya...?" asked a puzzled Bharat, Ram smiled at him reassuringly... "It's nothing...you shouldn't worry about that...let's go inside and talk to Rishi Vishwamitra about our next course of action."

As they all headed towards the tent Ram looked over his shoulder to find Lakshman standing transfixed at the same position and staring off. He called his brother to join them but when Lakhshman didn't , Ram went over to him. "I need to find her, Bhaiya before she hurts herself!" An anguished Lakshman told Ram. "She wouldn't and on top of that she has already left for her Bhavan.." "Only she hasn't...she wouldn't go back...not now...not yet Bhaiya.." interrupted Lakshman. "How can you be sure?"

Yes...how could he be so sure about anything...Lakshman didn't know...all he knows at the moment that he has to find his Mila and ask for forgiveness...her words have made him accept the fact she is the only light he needed inorder to survive in this world and how wrong he has been. If only she would forgive him !

"Because...because I know her...she would rather lick her wounds in private than show it off to the world."

Lakshman looked so pained at the thought of Urmila crying her heart out in a desolate place all by herself, that Ram was quite sure that Mithila was definitely going to witness not three but four weddings in 3 days time...

"Go, find her...talk to her Lakshman." As Lakshman left the ashram in search of Urmila..Ram whispered, "Godspeed."

Okay so this was my first installment,will update the last part later at night. Please do read and comment😳. I apologize for this being so long...I will try to update shorter ones.

Do tell me the positive and negative points in my writing...they will only help me to grow as a writer. Constructive criticism is always welcome😊

Oh my God this was brilliant! And please post long updates only not short ones they are not that desired tbh😛 I loved the emotiona expressed. Eagerly waiting for the second part. One prompt from my side, please write something steamy and passionate between them. Maybe as an extension of this story only. I hope I dont offend you by this prompt but it will be fun to read something that is fierce and passionate😊

Amazing update... Beautifully written!!!!

Superb .will wait for 2nd part..

No please do long ones!you have a beautiful flow in your writings.Will look forward to the second one!muahh

hey Riya
thank you so much for this😃
nicely penned down😳
by the way this is manas😃
continue soon