AYODHYA

Shanta was now almost seventeen. She had mastered the Vedas and other studies along with it. She was extremely skilled in stick combat and swords, though she prefered stick to a sword. She had grown into a striking young lady. Her Aunt Vershini ( Sister of Kaushalya) and King Rompad of Anga were visiting and she always loved spending time with them.

Kaushalya, Sumitra and Kaikeyi  along with Dasharath and Shanta had welcomed them for their short stay in Ayodhya. It was on a sunny afternoon in the inner private chambers of the royalty when a incident that changed Shanta's life  happened.

Rompad:  Ayodhya is in great splendour, Maharaj ( referring to Dasharth) and summer seems to enhance it's beauty. We have come at the best time.

Vershini: I cannot take my eyes off our little Shanta. She has grown so much! The last time we saw her was when she was barely five and now she is seventeen. How time flies by.. 

Kaushalya fondly looked at her daughter who was deeply immersed in a book.

Vershini: There must have been marriage proposals for Shanta?

Kaikeyi ( Putting an arm around Shanta): Yes. But she is barely eighteen and we don't want her to leave us so soon.

Vershini: If she wasn't my neice and if I had a son, I would have loved to have her as my daughter-in-law as I was not fortunate enough to have  her as a daughter or have any child,for that matter.

Dasharath sat up straight, staring at Vershini and Rompad in deep thought.

(King Rompad and Vershini were childless)

Shanta ( Smiling): You are just like a mother to me, Aunt Vershini. 

Vershini ( with humour): Then come with me back to Anga, Shanta. It would be lovely there.

Dasharath (Softly): So be it.

Vershini( in disbelief): What?

Dasharath ( avoiding Shanta's eye and standing up) : Shanta will accompany you back to Anga Desh. No longer as  the princess of Ayodhya but as the princess of Anga, as your daughter.

He went outside without any further explanation. But once a Raghu had spoken a promise, it would be followed. It was a few seconds later that Kaushalya registered the incident  ran after her husband in despair.

*The way King Dasharath sends away his daughter seems heartless and seems impossible in our times, but back then, it was not considered strange. I have written just like the main story  is but with greater stress on Shanta's emotions and life in the upcoming chapter. In Valmiki Ramayan she is mentioned only once that she was adpoted by King Rompad and was the biological da ughter of Dasharath and Kaushalya. Thank you for reading it. It would be great if my mistakes are pointed out. :)