LAKSHMAN PRIYA

DASHRATH'S LAST BREATH

After donning the hermit attire, Urmila gazed at her reflection again. The simplicity of her attire resonated deeply with her soul. Then she put a thick line of vermilion on her forehead, which bears her husband's name. It became her most precious adornment, symbolizing her unwavering devotion for Lakshman.

She remembered Ram's words, that reminded her of her crucial role in caring for their fractured family. Kaikeyi's deceit had left wounds that ran deep and got compounded by the absence of Ram, Sita, and Lakshman. With a heavy heart, Urmila embraced her duty with newfound determination, vowing to be the pillar of strength for her family in their darkest hour. Because that's her duty... That's her raj dharma

With that sense of duty, Urmila walked straight towards the kings chamber. Every eye, that fell upon her in path, remained shocked and unblinkable. Because the shringar loving princess Urmila had given up on all that was part of her shringar.

In the king's chamber, Dashrath was laying semiconscious on the bed. Sumitra and Kaushalya were caressing his hands on either sides. The last ten hours had made him look torn and dull, as if he aged ten years more in just one day. Neither his eyes were ready to rest, which was just trailing across that huge royal room... as if he will capture the glimpse of his Ram at any corner. Nor his lips were staying calm, which were busy in continuous inaudible babblings. The queens were sitting beside him like statues since morning, so their maids.

As Urmila entered the chamber, every eye went big by her dress up. Nobody had to ask 'why' but painful gasps left every mouth. On the other hand, Urmila herself remained broke after seeing such condition of her respected father in law. A sharp pain clasped her throat but her eyes didn't dare to be damp.

"Oh Urmila... My daughter...." -Dashrath started crying again loudly. - "Why my soul didn't left this body before seeing you like this?"

Urmila went near him.- "Pitashree, for the sake of Narayan... Please don't say such things. I'm here for you, I'll take care of you. And fourteen years are going to pass like a dry grass on stream of water. Ram bhaiya will return soon with Sita didi and Saumitra. Please don't be broken like this." -Urmila pleaded.

Kaushlya broke into tears once again in Urmila's arms, as she sat beside her.

Dashrath masked a smile on his plae wrinkled face. - "What should I do daughter? What should I say ? I.... Maharaj Dashrath... King of the Wealthiest Kingdom Ayodhya.... Is running out of words inbetween his constant flow of thoughts. I don't understand daughter, should I say thank you for not leaving me in this situation... Or should I apologise for what hardship and sufferings I brought you ? Should I say thank you for sharing the weight of my sins on your innocent heart ? Or should I apologise for making you sacrifice your every happiness for absolute no reason ?"
Another tear drop rolled out from the shrunken eyes of Dashrath.

"No pitashree..."- Urmila wipped his tears. -"Your 'thank you' will never let me face myself... and your 'sorry' will drag me to hell... All I'm doing is my duty, Pitashree. In the absence of your sons, you are my responsibility. And I'm just trying my best to fulfill it. I'll nourish you and you will be better in some days... Then we will wait together for Ram bhaiya, Sita didi and Saumitra's arrival.."
Urmila smiled at the king, by hiding the heart ache.

Dashrath's smiled back - "Your words are reminded me of my maa... Late Maharani Indumati... She used to give me hope like this, When I was young..... When I was young.... When I was young...."
He repeated the last sentence again and again while losing himself in some past memories.

"Maharaj... Please don't go back to that past. Everything will be fine with time. Trust me..."- Sumitra pleaded.

Dashrath murmured while his gaze was fixed on celing - "I won't have to Sumitra... Because it's already standing infront of me... It's there..."
He again started whispering inaudible stuffs in a zoned out condition.