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Mandavi stood at the door of Urmila's room. Her sister's face was turned away from her. Her Rakshashi no Dustha Rakshashi.
Well now Mandavi didn't know what to say to her. Manthara was chanting " Maharani Mandavi". But Mandavi was sick even hearing that title. And the dasis. Dasis were looking at her as if she is some untouchable. Someone who was responsible for sending their favourite Ram, his wife and Lakshman to jungle. Kirti had collapsed in her room and Mata Sumitra was trying to console her. Mata Kausalya was with Pithashree. Both lost. Mandavi couldn't take it anymore and decided the only place she could find solace was with Urmila. It felt strange. They had always fought.
" Urmila" Mandavi called her sister softly
Urmila turned " Mandavi didi why are you standing at the door. Come inside didi" saying this Urmila rushed to her sister.
Mandavi hugged Urmila tightly " Rakshashi I don't want this Rakshashi. I don't want to me Maharani. How can I be Maharani rakshashi, when Sita didi has gone for vanvass and you..." Mandavi couldn't even complete the sentence as she started crying looking at her sister.
Urmila made Mandavi sit on the bed and gave her a glass of water " Didi please don't cry. We have to be strong didi. Didi among Kulvadhu's you are the eldest didi. You cannot cry. Whatever happened is not your fault. No one will blame you didi"
" Urmila it is not about me. If it was just about me, I still would have managed. But what about your jijashree Urmila. Ayodhya hails your husband as the example of duty bound brother. My husband what will he get when he comes to Ayodhya. People of Ayodhya will laugh at him Urmila. He will be insulted publicly and privately. My husband will not be able to bear it Urmila. How will I handle him. How will I handle his pain"
Urmila looked at her sister. Mandavi was addressing her as Urmila, not Rakshashi. How life has changed for them. From fighting carefree in the gardens, in the rooms and in the balconies of Mithila, today they both sat with twisted destinies. Connected yet disconnected. While her virtue being hailed, her sister being mocked at.
Urmila held Mandavi by shoulders " Didi no one will blame Bharath Jijashree. Even if someone does have faith in Jijashree didi, his actions will ensure he will go one step ahead of my husband. He is Ram Jijashree's reflection. Insulting him, is insulting Ram jijashree himself. Mata Kaikeyi and Manthara will pay for the sins once he is back. Don't worry didi. I am with you. Please be in this room till Jijashree is back"
Mandavi smiled through tears. Yes her Rakshashi has grown beyond her age. She held Urmila's hand and Urmila held them more tightly and she too smiled promising that whatever happens their bond wont be broken. And together they will sail through the crisis that had hit them.
