BACK TO THE PRESENT...

Urmila sighed, reminiscing  fond memories with her husband.  It was just a few days ago that Lakshman had departed.Bharath and Shatrughan had arrived late in that evening. Bharath had raged on his mother. As expected, he refused to ascend the throne . He had profusely apologised to Ma Kaushalya and Ma Sumitra on  behalf of his mother. Ma Kaikeyi was shunned by the whole of Ayodhya. Manthara was banished. 

Bharath and Mandavi had approached Urmila. Bharath was in tears. " Because of me, Ram bhaiya has to spend fourteen years in exile with Sita bhabi and Lakshman. It is all because of me.  And, Lakshman had no reason to go, you have to suffer unnecessarily. Please forgive me." Mandavi had tears falling down her cheeks,holding on to her husband,deriving strength and giving her own support to him. For a moment, a pang of longing for her Lakshman hit her,but she closed her eyes and shook it off. " Bharath, I do not blame you or Ma Kaikeyi. I respect Lakshman's decision. Fourteen years is a long time,but it will be soon over" her voice faltered.

Bharath did not seem to be listening to her. " Tomorrow. I am going to Chitrakoot. I will bring them back, I will fall at their feet. I will beg them to come back. They will have to come. There is no Ayodhya without them. Ma Sumitra, Ma Kaushalya,Shatrughan,Mandavi and Shutkeerthi are coming along. Lakshman would love to see you again. Queen Kaikeyi is coming to. To bite back her words,the.." He refused to call Kaikeyi as his mother.

" Donot talk about your mother like that" Urmila said softly.

" She is no mother of mine" growled Bharat . Mandavi tried to placate him.

Lakshman. Urmila closed her eyes. The hope that she would get him back again sizzled through her. He might come back. But what if he does'nt? She knew she could not control her emotions if she saw him once again. But the need to see him overpowered the greater good and she agreed to accompany them. Mandavi whispered her apology and hugged her sister as if never to let go. 

The next day, they set out to Chitrakoot. From far, Urmila could make out her husband's physique pacing the ground. She felt a lurch as she saw his face. He still looked devilishly handsome. As they neared, he was pointing his arrow to Bharath screaming curses at him.Lakshman thought Bharath had brought an army to kill them.

" Lakshman!" Ram called out." Bharath will do no such thing. Lower your gaurd" Sita looked thin yet beautiful in her simple robes. Bharat fell on his knees begging forgiveness. Lakshman looked ashamed of himself, he murmured an apology to Bharath.Shatrughan looked down unable to meet his brother's eyes.By this time, Ram had noticed his three mothers in white mourning robes and the absence of his father. He clutched his Sita for support. Sita held on to him for dear life, comforting him . Lakshman stared at his three white clad mothers. He could not believe his eyes. His eyes searched for his Mila. Urmila's moist eyes confirmed his fears. Urmila rushed to him as his knees gave away. "  Mila,Pitaji!" he gasped . She patted him slowly comforting him.

After the last rites of King Dasharath, Kaikeyi withdrew her boons and begged Ram,Sita and Lakshman to return home. Bharath declared he would not rule Ayodhya. Ram refused to come back. He said he had to fulfill his father's promises. It was his dharma as a son and he had promised his father that he would complete the exile. Lakshman's eyes met Urmila's. They were full of apology and love. Urmila didnot look at him again. There was a high chance she would burst into tears. The three mothers were inconsolable.

Bharat said he would take Ram's sandals and place it on the throne . He would lead a life of ascetic just outside Ayodhya till Ram came back to Ayodhya. " No!" a scream from Kaikeyi could be heard.Mandavi broke down.

Urmila had never felt such anger in her life. Mandavi had to face the same situation as hers. For no reason. She hissed" And make Mandavi's life miserable? She has done nothing wrong." 

All eyes turned to Urmila at once." You have done nothing wrong,nor has Ram bhaiya or Sita bhabi or Lakshman though all of you are suffering" replied Bharat sadly." I cannot live in Ayodhya, the guilt gnaws at me endlessly. Shatrughan will look after the affairs and I will keep visiting the palace. But I cannot live a luxury when my brothers are in such a situation."

Shrutkeerthi could feel her husband's anger next to her. " Then how,Bharat. bhaiya do you expect me to live in a palace when all of my brothers live like this? How can I administer Ayodhya's affairs alone?" He was close to tears.

" You will serve us by serving Ayodhya. I am sorry,Shatrughan.You are needed in the palace. It is our duty to follow the dharma of serving one's brothers" said Bharat.

Then what was the dharma to one's wife?The  promise to stay with your wife through thick and thin?The dharma every husband held for his wife? Their dharma held to their mothers to serve them in old age? Is dharma only to be fulfilled to other men and not towards women?Urmila wanted to scream. She, atleast knew Lakshman would go all lenghths for his brother and knew what she had to do.She would get through this but poor Mandavi. She embraced her sister from one side as did Shrutkeerthi and Sita.  The sisters talked,hugged cried holding on to each other. This was the first time in their life they were going to be seperated. The mothers hugged all their sons,sobbing. Ma Kaikeyi was shattered.

Lakshman called out to Urmila minutes before they left back to Ayodhya. 

" I thought I would never see you again,Mila" he whisphered hugging her tightly." Can you ever forgive me? I know the thoughts going on inside your head. I know I am  a terrible husband. But I hope you can understand"

" Lakshman" she choked back her tears" Be safe,do your duties and return to me" 

For the last time in the 

 fourteen years to come, Lakshman kissed his Mila goodbye. He turned away hiding his tears.Urmila didnot turn back once after she ascended her chariot. All the tears she had withheld  flowed down. She had to be strong for the family,for him. She looked ahead welcoming the sad days with open arms awaiting  the day she would be  reunited with her  Soumitra.

*Thank you for reading it. I would appreciate if my mistakes are pointed out, I will correct them at the first opportunity. I hope you enjoy it.