The Princes of Ayodhya-The Ramayan Through Short Stories

Character Drabbles-Part 4

A/N-I'm baaack. With another Character Drabbles for you all! Isn't this just so exciting? Anyways, absolutely nobody asked for this, and yet I still deliver! You know why? Because I just like building up suspense for a new chapter with another chapter! Wooh! You never knew suspense could be so fun!

Kaushalya "The Kind"

She stood next to Sumant as the king and his new wife rode into the city. She was Kaushlaya, the first, and the chief, queen of Kosala and of Dasharath. Sumant stood next to her, glancing at her for a moment sadly, and that one glance told her everything. He loved this new queen more than her. At least, it seemed that way.

Kaushalya had first fallen in love with the king when she had met him even once. She had walked up to him, a young king, in the gardens of her father. "Are you alright?" she asked kindly, and when he looked up, she was enamoured by his handsome face, good looks, and proud demeanour. But he had had no immediate admiration for her as she had of him. He had scowled at her, crossed his arms, and looked away.

"Go away, girl." he spat. "You're just like the rest of them, you want me for my kingdom." Kaushalya was taken aback. Here he had been, kind and ever approachable, to her father, and now he was behaving rudely towards her? Kaushalya had not taken this to heart, however. She didn't walk away from rude people who obviously needed some kindness in their lives. It just wasn't done, it wasn't right, in her mind, and she was determined to let him know that there were people out there who did not just love him for his kingdom.

"Would you like some apples?" she asked, having walked up to him under the orange tree a few days later, and finding that he had a pinched face at how sour they were. "They are sweet, you see. Our oranges have not finished growing, you know? You might have to stay a bit longer to sample them, but I can still offer you an apple, if you wish?" Dasharath turned towards her, still frowning.

" I need no playful kindness! I need no pity! Stop being so picky and so nosy! I can see you for what you are, and that's a gold-digger! Leave!" he had waved her off, but Kaushalya jutted her chin out, calmly picked an orange, and placed it in her basket, before cheerily bidding him good day and good life as she walked away, nose higher. She could feel his curious gaze lingering on the back of her head.

"The annual food-giving ceremony is happening today," she suggested meekly, blushing a little bit. The king's head darted up, and he gave a noncommittal grunt. "Well," she continued disappointedly, knowing his stubbornness firsthand, "If you do change your mind, we will be in the courtyard. Otherwise, please enjoy your last days here. Father enjoys your company." Sniffling, she stepped away.

She leaned down and put some rice on an elderly woman's banana leaf plate. The woman put her hand on her head, giving Kaushalya her blessings. Kaushalya turned around, and slammed right into Dasharath, who stood behind her, eyes softened, mouth agape, and wiping away a tear. "I-Will you marry me?" he asked, grasping her hand.

Kaushalya was quickly brought back to reality as Dasharath stepped off of the carriage, tightly gripping the hand of a young princess. With a pang, Kaushalya realized that she was younger and most beautiful, leaner and skinnier, than her. She had radiant golden skin and long hair and doe-like eyes. Eyes that conveyed her emotions, eyes that lingered upon her in fear and unfamiliarity. And somewhere, Kaushalya felt her heart stir. "Kaushalya," said Dasharath calmly. "This is Kaikeyi." Kaushalya could feel in the depths of his calm voice, some fear as well. She knew Dasharath well, better than anyone ever would.

She walked forward in large paces and the princess seemed to shrink back into herself, grasping her hands together. "Welcome!" she cried, wrapping her arms around the woman, and squeezing her tightly and warmly. "I'm so glad to welcome you to Ayodhya! I've never had a sister before, oh this is going to be so fun! Finally, a companion other than Dasharath. Men don't understand anything," she snorted, and kindly gripped the hand of the young woman. And she smiled, Kaikeyi smiled, as Dasharath breathed a sigh of relief.