THEIR STORY- PART 1
Hanuman wandered around the camp, slowly nearing his Lord's ashram, where his Lord and Lakshman Bhaiya were there. He reached there, and entered to pay his respects.
"Pranaam Prabhu!", said Hanuman.
"Ayushman Bhava!", blessed Lord Rama, seeing the eternal devotee.
"Pranaam Lakshman Bhaiya", said Hanuman.
"Pranaam Hanuman Bhaiya", said Lakshman, smiling lightly. The smile, however, didn't reach his eyes. Why though? What was bothering his Lakshman Bhaiya so much? Lakshman Bhaiya was one who never showed his inner emotions out unless it involved Prabhu Ram and Sita Mata. What was the inner turmoil he was going through? Was it a woman? It couldn't be. Lakshman Bhaiya's reluctance for female company other than Sita Mata's loving, motherly one was well known throughout. Was it his wife? But Lakshman Bhaiya had never brought up that topic. Yet, for the first time, Hanuman could see a different kind of sadness in Lakshman's eyes.
He turned to his Prabhu, who was looking at Lakshman Bhaiya sadly, even as Lakshman pressed his feet. What happened? Why was his Prabhu sad? And Lakshman Bhaiya? Seeing them sad made Hanuman's heart break.
"Prabhu", started Hanuman, faltering.
"Hanuman"
Ram had a gentle smile on his face; yet the sadness lingered in his eyes.
"What happened, Prabhu? Why are both you and Lakshman Bhaiya sad?", asked Hanuman. "Are you both missing Sita Mata?"
"Hanuman, other than missing Sita, both of us are missing someone else. Sita is also thinking about that person", said Ram, smiling pained at Lakshman.
"Who is that, Prabhu?", asked Hanuman, noting the pain on Lakshman's face grow manifold.
Ram smiled, now indulgently, and said, "Urmila. Sita's little sister, my dulhaari, and Lakshman's beloved wife"
I was right. It is Lakshman Bhaiya's wife', thought Hanuman. On his questioning look, Ram turned to look at Lakshman, who nodded, knowing that Hanuman is the most understanding person he has ever known, other than his family.
Ram took a deep breath, and started talking about the memory haunting all of them. At the same time, within Lanka, a beautiful woman, sitting under an Ashoka tree, had tears running down her cheeks. She smiled suddenly. Her sister's story was going to be narrated to one of her sons. Her soul companion's story. And this memory, she had heard from all accounts except her husband's, strangely. She settled down against the bark of the tree, closed her eyes, and connected herself to her Lord.
In Ayodhya, an equally beautiful woman stood next to a painting, caressing a handsome face Oh Swami! I can't wait for your return. But wait I will; I can sense you thinking about me with deep sadness; don't, oh Lord! I want you to think of our happy memories'
Thinking thus, she connected her mind to Lakshman's, and began listening to what her Ram Bhaiya was saying.
Ram and Lakshman, along with their Guru, Brahmarishi Vishwamitra, were walking towards Mithila, after the liberation of Mata Ahalya by Ram.
"Sons, let us go through the fields. The fields of Mithila are very beautiful", said Brahmarishi.
"As you wish, Gurudev", said the brothers, in unison.
The three of them walked together, and were joined by Rishi Shatanand on the way.
"Shatanand, take us through the village fields. They are the most beautiful"
Brahmarishi Vishwamitra had an enigmatic smile as he asked Rishi Shatanand that.
"As you wish, Brahmarishi"
Saying this, the learned sage led the three men to the village fields. As they went towards one direction, they saw children running towards them, from the opposite direction.
"Children!", said Rishi Shatanand.
"Pranaam Rishivar!", chorused the children.
"Why are you running away from that direction? Isn't the naming ceremony of the cows by the two Janak-nandinis happening there?", asked Rishi Shatanand.
"It is over, Rishivar. Sita Didi left to go see Rani Sunaina after the ceremony", said the kids. Ram stiffened simply hearing the name. Lakshman looked happy, and smiled a little at his brother's expression. It was not only Devi Sita who was affected then!
"And you got Urmila to stay", said Rishi Shatanand, amusement laced in his words.
Hearing her name, Lakshman got a strange feeling; a premonition. He became alert immediately. What is bothering me? I, who never yearn for female company, am feeling different just hearing a princess' name? Who is she? Why is just her mere name bothering me? What is this premonition I'm feeling? If I get this bothered about her name, how will I react when I see her face?', thought Lakshman. No Lakshman! You are not supposed to even think that way. Ram Bhaiya is your priority'
Lakshman's inner pondering didn't go unnoticed; Ram, irrespective of the anticipation of meeting Sita, didn't take one eye off his brother.
"Lakshman, are you okay?", asked Ram, in a low voice.
"Yes Bhaiya", said Lakshman, giving Ram a smile which did not reach his eyes.
What is making my Lakshman act like this?', wondered Ram. Deciding to question him when they were alone, and resolving to keep an eye on any change in his younger brother, Ram turned his thought back to meeting Rajkumari Sita.
They all walked towards the edge of the fields, where they heard a lot of commotion.
Ram and Lakshman looked at each other, and immediately got into warrior mode. The four men rushed to the spot. They were astonished by the site they saw. A man, an Asura, was ordering men to clear the fields, and there were villagers, who all looked scared, and worried. Lakshman gave Ram an outraged look; both brothers turned to look at Brahmarishi for his permission to allow them to intervene, when...
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