Mandodhari sighed when she saw the glittering rays of the evening sun touching on Lanka's golden royal pathway, making them shine.

Usually its impossible for her to avoid that beautiful sight but today was different. She could feel the tension in the air, just like all other Lankans.

Their King didn't return yet...

Wars weren't something new to Ravana. Actually he was obsessed with them. When he started to rule Lanka it was necessary to involve in combats. They gave him wealth, and that made his people's life far better than they used to. But now everything has changed. Their palace is literally filled with treasure rooms and according to Mandodhari, it was a bit annoying to have everything around her eyes in a particular shade of yellow.

"Maharani Mandodhari..."

Mandodhari nodded as the response to her head maid's greeting, but didn't turn back.

"We... We got no direct information from our army... But..."

"But what?"

The maid gulped before completing her dialogue.
"Some rumours says that... That we lost the battle against the King of devas, Indra..."

Mandodhari's heart forgot to beat for a moment. She knew this was coming but still she felt it is impossible to someone to defeat Ravana. More than that, it is impossible for Ravana to accept the defeat.

"What do you mean by the word 'rumours'?"
She asked having a great control over her emotions.

The maid didn't answer but looked at her feet. It was killing her to say her own King's lost by her own mouth. Mandodhari got it and signalled the maid to move away. She didn't wish to have a breakdown infront of others.

Mandodhari felt her eyes being wet and tears rolling through her face. But before they transfer into a heartbreaking cry she heard loud clamour just outside of her room.

People were shouting... And they were shouting by her son's name. Not as her son but as their prince.
"Jay Meghnad... The crown Prince of Lanka..."

"I need your blessings, Maa..."
Meghnad said while touching her feet. It was obvious from his attire that he was prepared for the war, to rescue his father as well as the pride of his country.

Mandodhari took a deep breath before placing her hand over his head and praying for his victory. She repeated the same to Athikaya too, who knelt infront of her just after Meghnad.

To be honest, Meghnad was a kind of amused when he realised that his mother didn't try to block their way to the battle field. He was expecting her protest and now it seems he is out of that trouble.

"Fight for your people... Fight for the truth... Be the pride of Lanka... Be the glory of Asuravansha... Victory is yours my son... Ravanputra Meghnad..."
She said in a low yet firm tone.

Meghnad felt a wave of energy passing through his soul. His veins were on fire... He was longing to prove the world his valour and this is the time.

"Hail the Golden Lanka... Hail the King Ravana..."
Meghnad roared making the warriors cry in excitement.

Then he knelt infront of the idol of Mahadeva.
"Oh Mahadeva, Neelakanda, Shankara... Let this devotee of yours win this war..."

*******

"Urmila!"

Ram couldn't mask his shock when he saw Urmila coming to their room without Lakshman.

"Ram bhaiya... I want..."
Urmila began to say something but Ram cut her immediately.

"Where is Laksh?"
He asked with a jerk. Ram was still crying inside for hurting his little brother but he believed that Urmila could heal him.

"I hope he is alright now..."
Whispered Sita holding her sister's hand.

Urmila tried to smile but it didn't reach her eyes. She wanted to run back to Lakshman, hug him tightly and say that she never wish to live even a moment in his absence... But she knew that he expects her support, not her presence now...

Breaking her heart into a thousand pieces, she knelt in front of her Elder brother in law.
"Take him with you Ram bhaiya... I can't see him dying in front of me..."

Sita gasped in panic. She knows that her sister is straight forward but this...
"What are you saying Urmi?"

Urmila felt her eyes being dry and her heart being cold as ice. She could sense the shock in Sita's voice but that didn't bother her. She felt her soul being dead that nothing or no one in this world can bother her anymore.

"Let him accompany you, Bhaiya... That is my only prayer to you... Can't you fulfil this wish of your sister?"

With shivering hands, Ram slowly cupped her face. Whenever his teary eyes met her frozen ones he sobbed in guilt and grief.

"Urmi... How could I do this to you, my child?"

A soft chuckle escaped from Urmila.
"He asked me that whom should he choose... And I said, it's you who deserve him the most. I knew that he wants to hear that from me, bhaiya..."

Urmila's last words multiplied Ram's guilt a thousand times. She meant that she never had another choice, didn't she?

"Forgive me, my sister..." He cried covering his face.
"Forgive me... I don't know what to do..."

Urmila felt sorry for Ram. He, who was supposed to be sitting in the throne at this time if all those tragic incidents was just a bad dream, was crying next to her helplessly. She felt a sudden rage raising in her mind against Lakshman. Why can't he understand the dilemma his brother was facing right now!

She was sure that Ram was worried as hell thinking about the safety of his citizens. The news of his exile already drove them mad and the royal army of Ayodhya was trying their best to keep peace around the country. She understood that the situation is only going to be worse when Bharath and Shatrughan return from Kekaya with her sisters. In this state, Lakshman was Ram's only ray of hope. He believed that his younger brother would obey him and stood up for his motherland and protect his brothers from the hatred of people, but all in vein.

Urmila exhaled and shook her head. She couldn't decide whether Lakshman is right or wrong but she was sure that he wasn't thinking about anyone or anything around him other than the fact that he can't live without his brother. It's just 'him', 'his life'... Nothing else is matter... Neither his duties towards Ayodhya nor towards his parents!

She could still feel a strange connection between Lakshman and his 'not anymore' favourite mother Kaikeyi. They both believe that they were trying to get the best for their most loved ones but failed to realise the real impact of their deeds. Lakshman was too young and immature but the Queen of Ayodhya wasn't...

"You can't just sit and cry like this Ragunandhan..." Sita whispered slowly washing away her husband's tears. She was calm and bracing like the breeze of the spring - the earth child. That soothed Ram's shaking soul, as always...

"Don't loose your faith... Everything is going to be alright..."

Then she turned to Urmila.
"What about you, Urmi?"

Urmila stared her sister with blank eyes. Lakshman already told that he wants her in the palace to ensure the wellbeing of his mothers Kausalya and Sumitra. But she wasn't sure about that, because he wasn't in a fine state of mind at that time. Angry Lakshman never thinks twice before he speaks and Urmila knew that. That gave her hope. She was glad to accompany them to the forest and that will be better for both of them other than separation of fourteen years.

"I will talk with him didi... And I hope he would allow me to be with him..."

Sita inhaled deeply to hold her tears back. She doesn't know why but she felt that it is not going to happen. She felt guilty for leaving her sister behind.

"Urmila... I love you dear... You are more than a sister to me..." Sita's words got interrupted by sobs when she kissed Urmila in her cheek. She avoided Urmila's questioning gaze towards her tears and said.
"Tell Lakshman that I respect his decision..."

Ram also hesitantly nodded his head.
"I don't want him to hurt himself anymore... That's the only reason behind my approval... But honestly I expected better from him..."

"Thanks a lot bhaiya..."
Urmila murmured and walked out of the room. She was happy for Lakshman and her mind was continuously assuring her that he will allow her to walk into the forest with him, just like Ram bhaiya allowed Sita didi. Bharath bhaiya and Shatrughan will protect Ayodhya until they return.

"But... But what if still he isn't ready to accept her decision for the exile?"
That question hit Urmila like a thunderstorm. The anxiety of being separated from three most important people of her life made her weaker.

Standing in the corridor of the palace of Ayodhya she remembered the night in Mithila's garden, the moment when Lakshman tried to reject her. And his reason wasn't far away from their current situation, that made her freeze in terror. He already told her decision, didn't he?

Dark clouds shadowed the moon leaving her stand alone in the darkness. None of them deserves to suffer this much.

Then... Who is the real victim of destiny here?

**************

As I told the story is gonna progress parallel between the 2 main leads Lakshman and Meghnad... I hope you guys are ok with it, I want this book to be a bit different that's why...

Thank you for your support... Love you all❤️

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