The Princes of Ayodhya-The Ramayan Through Short Stories

The Wrath of Soumitri

        The Ram, confused. Sita laughed. Indeed, the two brothers were indeed inseparable. Ram couldn't live for a moment, could not rest for a second if he could not see his brother. "Where is he, Sita? Do you know?" Sita shook her head, pulling Ram out of their room and into the courtyard, where the entire family except the third prince and Rani Kaushalya was gathered.

"He's not here. He has gone into the village as an escort to Maa Kaushalya, who wants to buy something. We were going to send some guards, but he volunteered for the job, and I suppose he's like what a guard would be if he were a prince." Urmila shrugged. "He did leave this behind, though!" she held up a large dagger, and held it up into the air, reflecting the sun.

Shatrughan, understanding Urmila's thoughts correctly, shook his head. "Are you planning on stealing it?" he asked mischievously. When Urmila rolled her eyes, he grinned widely. "Let me help you. Come on, let's take it to your room." Urmila thought it over for a fleeting second, her eyebrows scrunched up.

On one hand, he was her husband, and it was completely wrong to steal! He had left the dagger, trusting that no one would take it or vandalize it, and she did not want to be the unfortunate one to betray that trust he had so lovingly placed in them. It was completely wrong to steal, she reminded herself again. To steal would mean that she was similar to Shatrughan, the kid thief, or another petty criminal in the kingdom.

On the other hand, Lakshman practically doted on that dagger. He gave it a name, Hatyaara, and a birthday, September 16th, and Urmila would not be surprised if he declared it his wife sooner or later. He almost paid as much attention to that dagger as he did her! Besides, the object itself was beautiful, with a jeweled handle, a golden hilt, and platinum steel that reflected the sun. She nodded.

"Don't do it," warned Bharat. She and him would often paint together in their rooms, Urmila favoring portraits and people as Bharat painted trees and villages from their window. They had become very close friends, and Bharat felt the need to warn her. "Lakshman loves that dagger like, well, a wife. He'll go crazy without it!" When Urmila seemed unperturbed, he felt the need to warn her further. "Shatru is trying to bait you! Lakshman has an unmatched temper. Even you, bhabhi, can't match it, I'm telling the truth!"

"What are you talking about?" wondered Shrutakirti as Mandavi nodded along with her. "Lakshman probably has the least temper among you all! Bharat goes mad whenever somebody insults his painting. Shatrughan is always a little cuckoo, sorry arya. Ram bhaiyya gets angry at Urmila didi. Bhaiyya barely has a temper at all!" Mandavi agreed with her, feeling the need to pipe in with her own support.

"We have never seen him with a temper, honestly. And have you seen Urmila's great temper? It makes grown men cow! Can't you see how he backs down whenever they fight, how he tries to escape from her glare? Urmila has the real unmatched temper, you all have mixed them up! Lakshman bhaiyya is too sweet." Bharat facepalm as Shatrughan teetered. Ram winced.

"He only backs down because he loves you so much, he refuses to fight with you. Someday, didi, the argument will be so severe that he fights back, it's true!" When no one took him seriously, Bharat grumbled. "Look, he's being nice. He has the worst temper anyone could ever have, take me seriously, dammit! Listen to me, please! He has a temper not even Urmila didi can match." Finally, when met with disbelieving glances, Ram got into the conversation.

"Fine! Okay! Your four sisters against us three brothers! Sons of Kosala versus Daughters of Videha! We'll prove to you the temper and anger Lakshman possesses. He is no sweetheart, he is a ruthless, torturing, mutilating monster killer who would not hesitate to kill man. He is known as emotionless in our villages, he does not show smiles, nor tears. And when he gets angry, everyone within a mile shall know." he growled, and dragged Bharat and Shatrughan away.