The Inseparable Princes

9. Ambush

"Come, come fast Maan! We've got to go," Urmila called out.

"Haan, come come," she replied.

Urmila and Mandavi were going to into the depths of the forest. They loved that place. They needed to get certain things for following rituals, and they chose to do it themselves rather than sending servants.

Just then, the procession from Ayodhya arrived. With all the formalities done, Bharata and Shatrughna went to Rama's room.

"Hey, brother," said Shatrughna in a stylish manner, looking at Lakshmana while walking towards Rama, approaching his feet. "Pranam bhaiya,"

"Bhaiya, you're getting married and all, huh Laksh," said Bharata in a teasing tone. "How's our bhabhi? You met her na, Laksh?" he continued in a similar tone.

"Yeah, but you should ask how our bhaiya is doing," Lakshmana said dramatically. "He has this issue now, which he's never had in life, at least in this life,"

"What?" asked Bharata and Shatrughna in unison.

"He's lovesick!" Lakshmana shouted ecstatially, jumping as he held Rama by the shoulders.

★★★

"Mandavi!" screeched Urmila.

"Watch out, Urmi!" cautioned Mandavi, as she saw a second arrow approaching her sister. The first one had already injured Urmila on her arm.

"Who's it?" asked Urmila loudly, as she dodged the second arrow.

"Urmi, are you fine?" asked Mandavi as she checked Urmila's wound on her arm.

"It should be fine," she said, in visible pain.

"Why would anyone attack us?" asked Mandavi as she tried to do something about Urmila's wounds.

"I don't know. Because they are Mithila's enemies, perhaps," she replied, panting.

★★★

"This is Devi Sita, and this is Devi Shrutakeerti," introduced Lakshmana to Bharata and Shatrughna.

"Aren't they four sisters?" asked Bharata to Lakshmana in a whisper.

"Yeah, they are," he responded audibly. "Where are the other two, bhabhi?"

"They've gone to the forest, Bhaiya," Shrutakeerti replied instead.

"Forest? For anything in particular?" Lakshmana asked.

"They're collecting whatever is required for the rituals of the wedding," said Shrutakeerti.

"Oh, okay. Bhaiya, Shatru, their names are Mandavi and Urmila," Lakshmana said.

★★★

"Where have you been lost, Shatru?" asked Bharata, shaking his brother by his shoulders.

"I'll tell you, bhaiya?" asked Lakshmana falsely, for permission. "He was actually adoring Shrutakeerti when I introduced you people to them," he continued.

"Woaahhh! Shatru?"

"Stop teasing me, both of you! I wasn't ''adoring'' her, or whatever! Just shut up, you both!" he retorted angrily. Rama and Shatrughna would usually tend to take the teasing to their heart, but would expect others not to do the same.