The Princes of Ayodhya-The Ramayan Through Short Stories

Decisions, Decisions

A/N-Hi guys! Sorry for not updating for two days, my wifi was down. It was hectic! Here is an agsty chapter that is kind-of(?) Bharat and Shatrughan centric. 😊

Choose!" the monster repeated. "Choose, Ram, between Bharat and Shatrughan. One will still be alive, and the other will be dead." Ram's heavy breaths lingered in the air as his heart stopped. The world began to fade slowly as his eyes clogged with dirt. Lakshman's furious growl beside him brought him back to reality. Choose between Bharat and Shatrughan? He couldn't! He shouldn't! How had he come to this?

Flashback

"I need you to get a ruby jewel in the middle of the forest, Ram. Take along your brothers, they will do well to venture into there." Sage Vishwamitra said, hands folded in front of him as if the forest was no big deal. Ram opened his mouth, ready to speak worriedly about his brother's safety. Lakshman could defend himself, very well in fact, but could also run into situations too quickly. Bharat was tough, but very peaceful. Shatrughan could make a genius plan, but often over exaggerated and couldn't execute it. "Do not worry," the sage interrupted, "They will be alright. The forest should have been cleared of all monsters."

Present

Clear of all monsters. Yeah right. Ram turned towards Lakshman hesitantly. As always, his brother looked confident in him, sword drawn, ready to follow orders. He was no worse for wear, except for a few minor scratches on his arms and a fire burning in his coal black eyes. Ram would have been scared of him if it were not for the fact that Lakshman looked up to him and followed his every order gladly.

"Ram bhaiyya!" Shatrughan's wail tore into the silence. "Choose Bharat! Please," Lakshman swayed a bit on hearing his twin's lonely voice, but his hand on the sword handle just tightened. Ram sighed. It was good to have a steady pillar beside him in case he fell. Ram knew that Lakshman would always be there, and even if he felt weak or confused, or ever strayed from the path of calmness, that Lakshman would pull him right back.

If only Shatrughan were here. And what, Ram thought guiltily. Have Lakshman been captured? Would you rather have Lakshman be at the mercy of that demon instead of Shatrughan? The thing was, what they really needed now was a ploy. Usually it would be Shatrughan who had a plan, experienced with his years of pranking, plotting, and scheming. But Shatrughan was captured.

Flashback

"Ram bhaiyya," Bharat whispered, clutching onto Shatrughan's arm even though he was younger. "Can we please go back? The Sage wouldn't mind if we were scared." Shatrughan beamed.

"Scared? Our Bharat? Impossible. How about you go back, and we stay here?" Bharat stiffened and stood right back up, hand grasping his mace quickly.

"I would never leave you, Shatru. Nor Laksh, nor Ram bhaiyya. No, I'm coming along. You people run into things too quickly, and I would certainly feel uneasy if you just dilly-dallied along without a clear presence of mind. That is me." Shatrughan laughed, shaking his head, and even Lakshman allowed himself a small smile. Ram knew the real reason, however. Bharat was heavily protective of Shatrughan, barely ever letting him out of his sight. Rather like Lakshman was of him. And Ram liked that. The fact that someone was always there to be his statue of strength in the darkness.

Present

Ram gulped. Shatrughan would never forgive him if he didn't choose Bharat. Bharat would never forgive him if he didn't choose Shatrughan. Those two were so attached to each other, even if they were as different as day and night, life and death, milk and coffee. Shatrughan was extroverted, flirty, humorous, mischievous, and savage. Bharat, on the other hand, was introverted, shy, quiet, peaceful, obedient, and artistic.