LAKSHMAN PRIYA

ARRIVAL OF ECLIPSE (1)

Time flew in Ayodhya...
The stronger bonds became more strong while the weaker bonds grew more weak. As Maharaj Dashrath had wanted, he slowly distributed and enlightened the young generation about their upcoming duties as the leaders of the kingdom. He was supremely happy, along with his eldest and youngest queen, because Ayodhya was going to flourish in much able hands... The rajkumars and rajvadhus were performing way better than their expectations.

Still there was something off about Dashrath. He was always in a rush, as if time is slipping from his old wrinkled hands. His health was also mildly declining with time. But his enthusiasm and adore of his son and daughter in laws were blowing new wind of life on his soul.

In the quiet moments stolen away from their royal duties, the couples were getting solace in each other's company.
They walked hand in hand through the palace, their laughter were echoing amidst the fragrant blooms, weaving a tapestry of shared memories that would endure for a lifetime. With each passing day, their love deepened, like the roots of an ancient tree, anchoring them firmly together in the face of any challenge. Especially for Lakshman and Urmila. Because they were getting lesser time with eachother since Lakshman's duty was always outside palace. But their promises to unite at every day's ending was making their love more and more passionate.

In contrast to all the corners of the palace, Megh Bhavan, which was the most beautiful building and the residence of Rani Kaikeyi, was turning more and more dark with time. It was unbearable for Kaikeyi that how his Bharat was given such mere responsibility to be the chief of welfare and state development. And Mandvi was going to govern just over the art and culture department of Ayodhya. According to her, Bharat got such duties because the king considers him and his wife inferior to his other sons and daughter in laws, especially Ram and Sita. So this descision was piercing through her eyes like an arrow of injustice. And Manthara was always there to fuel her misunderstandings up.

The old maid was slowly eating away Kaikeyi's own thinking abilities by leaving only grudges behind. All were witnessing this drastic change in the behaviour of the second queen and the influence of Manthara. But still nobody took it negatively. Because every heart had the same hope, that with time Kaikeyi's dissatisfaction will vanish and she's recognise her own son's worth.

But.... Perhaps it was not acceptable for the kaalchalra. Which came to Ayodhya as the deadly eclipse. And it attained it's first step on that day, when Yuddhajit, the brother of Rani Kaikeyi arrived Ayodhya.... without any notice.

The newly weds had known that their "matulalaya gaman" ritual was yet to happen. But Yuvraj Yuddhajit's sudden arrival was not giving them inner happiness, rather it raised many questions.

"He can't be here for the 'matulalay gaman' ritual. Isn't it didi ? Because as the eldest couple your and Ram bhaiya's 'matulalay gaman' ritual hasn't been done yet. " -Urmila whispered her queries to Sita, who were standing at the 'Atithi Bhavan' (chamber for guests), along with all three queens and maids, where Kaikeyi was serving food to her brother by herself. In contrast to others she wasn't surprised by his sudden arrival. But looking enthusiastic, as if she had wanted this.

"Yes... But he can be here for some other reasons? He can be here to just meet us. Since he is the uncle of Bharat but couldn't attained the wedding. So he must have come to bless us." - Sita added with her signature calm smile.

Sometimes it was unbelievable for Urmila. How effortlessly Sita can see even in every odd. She smiled back to her sister, as she wrapped her hands around.

Just like Sita, others also assumed the same reason behind the crown prince of Kaikeya's arrival, including Dashrath himself.

As the day passed, the rajbhavan of Ayodhya got lit with lamps at every corner. Urmila had lit her diya infront of the shivling, which she had carried with herself from Mithila and waited for her Saumitra to comeback, with desperation in eyes. But unexpectedly, a maid came with the news of Mandvi's arrival in Moti Bhavan.