The Princes of Ayodhya-The Ramayan Through Short Stories

Anticipated Secrets

A/N-So this chapter is formatted a little bit differently, not like a story, but like individual scenes, of which you will see three...

Bharma

Every single day since the railing had broken, Bharat and Mandavi would meet up at 2 o' clock sharp to take walks around the trees and flowers in the garden, to talk or just simply stroll in each other's company. They would discuss many things, from deep things like how the universe was created, to simple topics, like love and living.

They had never anticipated that one day, they would be walking as not just simple friends, secret crushes, but as betrothed. They never thought that some of their dreams of marriage and true love might come true. Neither could apprehend the future, and neither expected the other to show up.

Mandavi stood under the cherry blossom tree, twirling a tiny pink flower anxiously between her fingers as the rest slowly fell off the twigs. It would be awkward, to know that they would eventually have to marry each other. How could such an innocent friendship suddenly morph into something so romantic, straight out of those romance books Shrutakirti read? She looked around, not expecting anyone to arrive.

And yet, there was the steadily approaching figure of Bharat, his shoulders squared and set in such a way that he looked determined. Mandavi's heart sank. Determined to reject her, perhaps? Was he about to convey the fact that he did not like her enough to marry her? Was it possible? "You showed up," she muttered, looking down at her feet. "I didn't think you would, seeing as-" Bharat cut her off.

"How could I miss it? Ruin such a tradition?" He shook his head as if surprised she had ever thought so little of him. Slowly, like a well-oiled machine, they began to walk around the trees again, the atmosphere tense between them. Mandavi began to slowly pluck off the petals one by one off the flower, and Bharat's eyes caught her movement.

Licking his lips, he took a deep, shuddery breath, and Mandavi closed her eyes tight. He was about to say it, about to reject her, deny her hand in marriage. She also took a large inhalation, vowing not to let go until he said the imminent words, when he told her that he didn't want her. When he walked away.

"I-ah-" he began, but Mandavi couldn't stand it. She had to say something. "I'll be kind, and nice, and I won't talk at all, no matter how hard it is! I will be the perfect wife and I will never be unfaithful, though that goes without saying, and I'll be the best daughter-in-law ever! Please don't reject me, if not for me, for my sisters! They need me, don't you see? The alliance might break, and then Sita will never marry, stubborn as she is!" she burst out, tears streaming out of her eyes.

Bharat was stricken, and turned around, grasping her clasped hands in his. His eyebrows curved up in empathy, and he began to speak. "I was never about to reject you, I thought you would reject me! I-I, just came here to say, that I." he cleared his throat, and wiped away some of her tears gently. "I just came to say that I-I-love you!" He turned away from her, letting out a breath. There, it was over.

Mandavi gaped, jaw dropped, at him. He loved her? Was it possible that someone could love her for the loud, angry self she was? Was it true? He must be fibbing, lying. But Bharat was not capable of lying. She swallowed hard, and spoke again, her voice strengthening.

"I would never reject you. I-ahem. I might." she looked down as Bharat turned his face around painfully to look at her, eyes wide. "I might-um." He bit his lip, urging her on in anticipation. "I might also love you back!" she squeaked, and both of them froze from their laps around the tree, before turning towards each other. What now?