THE STORY OF LIFE | A 21ST CENTURY RAMAYANA

CONFESSION

Ram gulped as he waited backstage, waiting for the press and media to arrange themselves in the chairs of the massive auditorium.

"I could have never thought people would be this interested in every make-believe story they hear." Shatrughan said looking through the glass door at the packed hall.

"Sometimes I feel Bhaiyya, not matter whatever good you do, nothing ever comes back to you. We work with so many charities, organizations, but never were we once covered like this. But today, when someone raised a finger at us, look how they've come to torment us further." Bharat shrugged his thoughts away as Pawan walked up to escort them to stage.

"Ready, sir?"

Ram held the paper in his hands tightly. Every ounce of him wrenched and trembled, but he knew, this was last resort for him to ensure that his child wasn't brought up in a world that'd call their mother names.

"As ready as Ill ever be," he said.

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The blinding flashes hurt them as Rams eyes tried to find any place without a camera but failed to do so. They were in the absolute centrestage.

"We request you all to maintain a decorum and be respectful. Questions will only be entertained once Mr. Ram Suryavanshi is done speaking. Thank you."

Ram cleared his throat as he stood up to walk to the podium.

"Bhaiyya, are you sure?" Lakshman asked.

"Yes, Laksh. Don't worry, it will be fine."

Ram stood quiet for a few seconds, his mind recalling all the events that had taken place over the last few days.

"Today," he began, "I have called this conference with a very pure and important intention. The articles, headlines and billboards that are carrying our names today, affect not only the minds of the general public, but also us, as a family. And it is high time both the media and world realise the same."

"We, as a family are deeply shocked by the kind of unsympatheic treatment of the women of our family and the ideas that are held of women of our society in general. After having done so much for the nation and its people, is that what we truly deserve?"

Murmers and whispers became louder in the audience.

"I have said this again and again, but I will sum it up in one sentence. Yes, we visited Vatika because my and my brothers wife, both respectable women were taken there as a criminal act by Raghavan. However, even with his monstrosity, he never dared to touch my wife or my sister in law. But the kind of stories you have made up, it hurts me to say that you have lost respect in my ideas as a pillar of democracy."

Ram stopped, taking a minute to compose himself, as he picked up the paper from the podium.

"Here, this is what you all wanted. All the proof you could ever ask for. You all raise fingers at my wife against her chastity right?!" His voice trembled as he spoke the words.

"Then take this, my wifes medical report. See it and tell me if you find anything questionable. I hope that answers all of your questions."