LAKSHMAN MEETS URMILA VERSION 1
"Putri"
Urmila heard Brahmarishi Vishwamitra call.
"Ji, Rishivar", said Urmila, bowing to the sage, and looking up at him.
"Putri, I need one of you four sisters to do me a favour", said Brahmarishi.
"Ji Rishivar. It's our greatest pleasure to be of small service to you:, said Urmila, smiling.
"I have my two disciples, two warriors, the princes of Ayodhya, guarding the Ashram from the cliff top. Can one of you go and give them food as well?", asked Brahmarishi.
"As you wish, Brahmarishi", said Urmila, smiling. A weird sense of anticipation filled her very being. A light flutter she felt on her heart. Before she could make head or tail of it, she heard the voice of her youngest sister, Shrutkirti, calling her, "Urmi Didi! Urmi Didi!"
She looked to her three sisters, faces filled with utter curiosity.
"Brahmarishi wanted one of us to go up to the mountain to give food to the two princes of Ayodhya", said Urmila. "And so, I am going"
Urmila saw her elder sister Sita look up at her with a longing look; she realized then, that Sita Didi wanted to meet Rajkumar Ram. She smiled at her Didi in her usual reassuring way, silently communicating that she will thank him for saving the horse.
Grabbing the food vessels to be given, Urmila headed for the mountain. She swiftly started climbing the mountain, enjoying the light breeze hitting her face. The weird sense of anticipation grew stronger as she climbed further and further up.
What is happening to me? Why am I getting a premonition that my life will never be the same again soon? What's wrong with me?', thought Urmila, as she neared the top. Realizing that her full concentration will now be needed in balancing the food vessels, and climbing to the top, she stopped thinking about her premonition, and placed one sure foot on top of the mountain. Urmila, however, hadn't noticed that the part was slippery. Just as she felt her usually sure foot give way, she felt a strong hand catch hold of her, and pull her up. The feeling of the hand gave her butterflies, which grew every second. She looked up to meet beautiful, dark brown eyes, which looked concerned, amused and mildly impressed.
Urmila slightly smiled at the unbearably handsome man, though a little wary, thanking him for making sure she didn't slip and fall.
"Dhanyavaad, Rajkumar..?", started Urmila.
"Lakshman. And you are..?", said lakshman, staring hard at Urmila.
"Mithila-naresh, Maharaj Seerdhawaj Janak's younger daughter Urmila. I came here with my sisters to visit Brahmarishi and procure his blessings", said Urmila, blushing, looking down.
Oh good! I am supposedly the sensible daughter. And the bold one. And here I am, looking at the ground, as I suddenly feel shy around Rajkumar Lakshman", thought Urmila.
"Pranaam Rajkumari", said Lakshman, folding his hands.
"Pranaam", said Urmila. "I brought up food for your brother and yourself"
She held up the food vessels in her hands.
"Dhanyavaad, Rajkumari", said Lakshman, taking the food vessels from her hands, though his eyes never left her face.
Before Urmila could thank him for saving her again, she heard a voice call, "Lakshman!"
Urmila realized that this had to be the elder brother, Rajkumar Ram.
"Lakshman, what are you... Pranaam", said the newly arrived Rajkumar.
"Pranaam", said Urmila, introducing herself to Ram.
Ram turned to look at Lakshman, who was looking at Urmila hard. Ram smiled lightly.
"Rajkumar, I want to thank you for saving the horse that was to be sacrificed for the Ashwamedha yagna. What you and your brother did was one of the greatest things I've heard of people performing", said Urmila, praising Ram for saving the horse.
"It was our love for the horse, and the thought that all living things should survive that prompted Lakshman and I to do such a thing, Rajkumari", said Ram, smiling at her.
A comfortable silence settled between them.
"Rajkumaron, I need to get going. Otherwise, Sita Didi will panic", said Urmila. "Pranaam. Enjoy the food. And thank you for safeguarding the ashram"
"Pranaam", said both the brothers, though Ram had one eye on Lakshman to see his reaction.
"Rajkumari", called out Ram.
"Ji?", said Urmila.
"Let me send Lakshman with you. It's not safe for you to be wandering in these forests till the Rakshasas are killed", said Ram.
"I can take care of myself, Rajkumar", said Urmila, slightly defiantly.
"I am sure you can. But these are dangerous forests", said Ram. "Please. You brought food up for us, we want to make sure you reach safe"
"Tikhe", said Urmila, her heart beating fast at the thought of having to go alone with Lakshman.
"Go Lakshman", said Ram, half-smiling, half-smirking at his brother.
"Ji Bhaiya", said Lakshman, turning to leave with Urmila.
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