PART II
Things happened just as Lakshmana feared. The next day the
four brothers were summoned by Guru Vasishtha and their father. Maharaja
Dasharatha revealed that they had come to Mithila in anticipation of one
marriage but now because of a happy coincidence there would be four weddings.
Shatrughna let out a whoop of joy, Bharata was embarrassed and Lakshmana,
shocked.
The next few days were a blur and it was only on reaching
Ayodhya and its familiar environs that Lakshmana was able to think once again.
They were ceremoniously received at the palace gates and the greater part of
the day was spent in Guru Vasishtha explaining to them the sanctity of marriage
and the mothers teasing them. Lakshmana
felt himself going hot behind the ears as he listened to all gentle ribbing and
he assiduously kept his face down.
Soon it was night. The four brothers had
gathered in the central courtyard. The king had departed to his bedchamber
after blessing them. The mothers performed their aarti and asked them to go their room to 'begin a new chapter in
their lives'. Lakshmana gulped uncomfortably. Brother Rama left, after bowing
to the mothers, walking with his usual steady gait. Bharata followed suit. Shatrughna after walking a few
steps, broke into a run. Looking at his twin, Lakshmana could not help but
smile. But then he realized much to his embarrassment, he was the only one left
there . Mother Kausalya patted his shoulder and told him to go to his room
'where his wife would be waiting for him'.
Lakshmana forced himself to turn towards the corridor
leading to his room. Somehow the stretch seemed longer than usual. His wife? A new chapter in his life?
Somehow, Lakshmana had never envisaged such a situation. He had been content to
serve his brother Rama. He had been under the impression that his life was just
an extension of Brother Rama's. Now he was expected to lead an independent
life- with new responsibilities to fulfill.
He was both confused and scared. Will his responsibilities
as a husband come in way of his duties as a younger brother? Would he, after
marriage too, be able to remain what he was before- Rama's shadow? Lakshmana
paused, leaned on the wall and mopped his brow.
Two servant girls passed by and on looking at him, broke into
giggles. Lakshmana glared at them but they only covered their faces and giggled
harder. That did it. Lakshmana waited for them to disappear and making an
about-turn walked furiously- out of the corridor, out of the palace till he
reached the royal stables.
He flashed his ensign to the guards who let him in hastily,
though with looks of surprise. But, on looking ahead, he spotted Arya Sumanta
in deep conversation with the Keeper of Stables. "Doesn't that man ever sleep?"
wondered Lakshmana.
Arya Sumanta too was surprised to see Lakshmana walking
rapidly towards the horses. "Prince? You? At this time of the hour? But tonight
is suppose to be your….."Arya Sumanta let the sentence hang delicately.
Lakshmana nodded. "It's something urgent Arya. I have to go"
Sumanta was now trotting to keep pace with Lakshmana. "What's
the matter Prince? I can handle it. You ought to be with…."Sumanta jerked his
thumb in the direction of the palace.
Lakshmana mumbled " No… It's okay….I need to go somewhere… I will be back soon"
Sumanta stood panting and mystified as Lakshmana untied a
horse and began to lead it away. "Prince- the security around the capital has
been tightened. You won't be able to go more than two yojanas without being
questioned" called out Sumanta behind Lakshmana's back. Lakshmana swung himself
on the horse and nodded to Sumanta, mentally praying that Sumanta would have
more sense than to inform the king that Prince Lakshmana had been spotted wandering
about on what was supposed to be his bridal night.
He mounted a horse and patting it to keep quiet, rode it
till he reached the banks of Sarayu. He dismounted and sat down on a rock near
the river. The soft ripple of the waters and the cool air seemed to calm his
feverish mind. He made his decision – he
would inform Urmilla in no uncertain terms that first and foremost he was
Rama's brother and she better resign herself to that. Lakshman got up and began
to lead the horse by its reins. He felt better, having arrived at a decision.
But a small voice began to speak at the back of his mind. But, what about the
bond that had been forged between him and Urmilla? Did he have the right to
ignore it altogether? If he was so averse to the idea of marriage, the small
voice continued incessantly, he ought to announced his decision before the
wedding–not now. Lakshmana sighed. A nice mess he had got himself into.
Now there was only one thing to do. Explain his stance to
Urmilla and pray that she understands. Or, better still explain his stance and
ask her to take the decision. After all, she was Maharaja Janaka's daughter.
Maybe she would understand. The small voice at the back of his mind agreed.
His quarters in the palace were completely silent and dark.
Most of the lamps had blown themselves out save for the few all-night ones
which threw eerie shadows on the walls. The distant roll of drums announced that
it was the second prahar after
midnight. Lakshmana quickened his steps. What would Urmilla be thinking? Maybe
be she would be restless with anxiety….had she informed anyone about his
absence? Lakshmana hit his forehead with his palm. A nice way to start his married life. Wonder why they didn't teach
such things in the Gurukul, he thought wryly.
As he entered his room,it took him a few minutes for his
eyes to get used to the darkness and he looked around for his wife. Had she
ensconced herself in a corner, weeping her heart out?
At last he found her- sleeping blissfully on his- no, he
corrected himself- on their bed. Lakshmana
debated whether to leave the discussion till morning- but though it better to
resolve it then and there. He couldn't take the tension anymore. Yes, he would
wake her up. It would be the best thing to do.
It turned out to be the worst thing he ever did.
Startled out of her sleep by someone shaking her shoulder
and calling out her name, Urmilla could only make out the dim outline of a man
in the darkness. She held he hands to her ears and shrieked ay the top of her
voice "Help…. Help…." Her cries rang out in the darkness
Lakshmana tried to cover her mouth with his palm to muffle
her shouts, but it only made matters worse. Urmilla tried to dig her nails into
his arms in an attempt to free herself- but the hands holding her were too
strong.
"Sh….Urmilla…Don't shout.. It's me, Lakshmana…"
Eyes widened , Urmilla looked at the face above her and
recognition dawned. Lakshmana eased his grip on her and stood in front of her
glowering.
Urmilla hurriedly got up and whispered "Aryaputra?"
Lakshmana nodded and still glowering, pointed to the nail marks
on his forearm, "A fine welcome from my wife." Urmilla looked abashed.
By now, however, Urmilla's shouts had attracted the security
and they were pounding at the door Random shouts of …Open….Princess…Are you
safe… could be heard.
Lakshmana realizing that the door would soon be broken down,
asked Urmilla to open the door. Urmilla shook her head, pointing to her disheveled
appearance. Lakshmana gave an angry snort and went to the door where the guards
were still hammering for all they were worth.
Lakshmana jerked open both the doors and asked nonchalantly "Yes?"
The Chief of Palace Guards was standing in front of him, a club in one hand
and surrounded by a dozen soldiers. They
seemed taken aback on seeing him there. "Oh Prince" said the chief, lowering
his club, "We didn't know you had arrived. We thought we heard some screams.
Arya Sumanta had informed us that you had been called on some important mission
and that special security should be provided to your rooms since the princess
was all alone. Security has been tightened all over, you know"
" Thank you Sumanta"
thought lakshmana mentally and spoke to the Chief, "No, it's all right, I have
returned" trying to close the doors.
But the Chief was not so sure. He put in his foot between
the doors Lakshmana was trying to close and peered inside. "Are you sure
Prince? We distinctly heard a woman's scream"
The way she screamed,
the whole Ayodhya must have heard thought Lakshmana. "Umm.. it was nothing….just that …." Lakshmana
racked his brains furiously for an explanation, "it was just that we were
sleeping and my wife had a nightmare…" Lakshmana tried to force the doors shut.
To his surprise (and annoyance) the Chief burst into
laughter and the rest of the guards were unsuccessfully trying to hide their smiles.
The Chief removed his foot and began to retreat. Just before the doors were
shut, he turned back and winking at Lakshmana said slyly "Good attempt at explanation
Prince, but tell me does anyone sleep
on their marital night? The chief guffawed loudly and left.
Lakshmana swore softly under his breath and made a kicking
movement with his leg at retreating Chief's back. He slammed the doors shut and
walked back in to the room, his temper none the better.
"Why did they come, aryaputra
? asked Urmilla innocently
Lakshmana glowered at her and rubbing his forearms replied, "To
express their appreciation over your singing abilities."
"Oh, but when did I sing?" wondered Urmilla missing the
sarcasm completely.
Lakshmana looked like he would like nothing better than to
wring her neck.
(to be cont'd)
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