THE STORY OF LIFE | A 21ST CENTURY RAMAYANA

SECRETS WE KEEP HIDDEN

"Di, Bhaiyya just said youre going to Agartala, alone? Are you sure?" Urmila asked tensed, as all the sisters sat around Siya in her room.
"Yes Mila, Im sure. Don't worry, and don't tell Maa and Dad about this."
"I wish I could come with you Di," Maanvi said. " But the doctor has strictly asked me against any movement, else I too would've loed to visit home once, away from all this."
"Yes, dear." Was all that Siya could reply.
"Bhabi is Mila..?" Lakshman peeped though the door to find all sisters gathered.
"Yes Laksh," Siya replied. "We all were just talking. Is it anything urgent?"
"No Bhabi, its alright," he replied. "I was just worried, I couldn't find her anywhere so.."
Everyone smiled at his antics as Laksh left with a small tinge.
"Hes lost without you Mila," Maanvi teased to brighten the room.
"Oh come on," Urmila blushed. "Nothing like that. If it would have been anyone else too hed go around searching like this. He loves being around everyone, he cant stand a moment alone."
Siya nodded, knowingly, as if she had found an answer to a question of hers.
"Okay, I think you all should take rest now. And don't worry about me, Ill be fine."
They wished each other goodbye, as they left one by one.
"Goodnight Di," Mila said, closing the door behind her.
"Mila, wait."
"Yes Di?" She asked surprised.
"If hes awake, can you please send Lakshman here once, I want to talk to him about something. Without Ram."
"Oh," she said pausing. "Yes Sure Di, one minute."
"Im sure its nothing Mila, maybe she needs help with something and doesn't want to disturb Bhaiyya."
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"But she ONLY called you, not me or Bhaiyya. The last time she did this, she hid Raghavan from us."
Mila looked him in the eyes.
"Promise me Lakshman, whatever she tells you now, you will come and tell me. I cant let anything slip away, again."
Lakshman nodded, smiling as he walked to Siyas room.
"Bhabi, is everything okay?"
Lakshman saw her face, and a deep chord struck his heart. He knew that face all too well, as his heart beat faster.
"Sit here Lakshman, and promise me, whatever I tell you, will stay between the two of us."
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Lakshman's eyes were bright open, staring at the ceiling in the darkness as Mila slept with her back towards him. Shed asked him what her Di had said,
And he had lied. Each lie burned his throat and being, but he had given his word. And moreover, if he told Mila now, the house would break in havoc and Siya would never trust him again.
The secrecy killed him. The very fact that he has to hide such a big thing from his brother, his wife and all the others ached him, but he knew there was no other way out. His mind kept replaying the conversation, and Siyas pleading tone kept ringing in his ears.

"I am going to our cottage in Agartala, Lakshman. I wont come back until he or she is born. Ive only told him and the girls about a few days, but they dont know the entire thing. If I tell your Bhaiyya, he wont let me go, or he come with me and leave  you all here. But heaven knows, he needs you and you need him."
"But we need you too Bhabi! How will you manage everything alone? At least take someone with you, or tell your parents. Youre saying you wont inform them either."
"I can't tell them Lakshman, its the same issue. Theyre old, I can't worry them out anymore. And for you," she placed her hand on his. "Im sure you all can take care here of everything here. Im not abandoning you Lakshman, I am just protecting you all and my child."
"I know Bhabi." He paused, looking down. "I feel so worthless, I can't do anything to help you or reduce your pain."
"You can Lakshman, and you are doing it now."
"Promise me you will come back as soon my niece or nephew is healthy enough."
"Promise."

Just a week from now, the dynamic of the house would change. He would be blamed, he knew. But he was prepared to take it all in for her sake.
Mila turned towards him, her eyes clenched as if she were having a disturbing nightmare.
Lakshman inched closer to her and placed his head over hers. Slowly, his breathing calmed down and Lakshman felt the pace of her heart matching his.
He would protect everyone, just like he protected her. And if that meant killing himself from the inside, he was ready to do so.

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