The Princes of Ayodhya-The Ramayan Through Short Stories

The Shakti Saga Part 5- 'A Realized Asset'

Song of the Chapter: Everything I wanted by Billie Eilish

"You can lose everything. You can lose your love. You can lose your money. Heck, you can even lose your respect. But never lose your memory. If there's a knife held to your throat, don't lose your memory. If you're a second away from your death, don't lose your memory. Because it's those memories which will burn your thirst for revenge on a spit, which will bring you back to everything you were before. But everything comes with a cost. Those very memories may torture you more than glorify."

Neel still couldn't believe it. He couldn't believe how fast it had happened. One second, it appeared as if Lakshman bhaiyya was winning an invincible battle, and then, he was laying on the ground, eyes seemingly lifeless and empty. If someone had told him before the war that one of the generals would be attacked so, he wouldn't have believed it would be Lakshman bhaiyya. Come on, without even growing up with him, they all knew he had been training for this for ages.

It didn't take a detective to know that Shri Ram and lakshman bhaiyya were very close. If the dark man was anywhere, it was sure that the other would be somewhere right behind. They gripped onto each other as if they were each other's lifelines. And this scene reminded Neel that perhaps it was quite true. The way that Shri Ram began to pale rapidly as well, as if his own life was being drawn out of him, maybe Lakshman bhaiyya possessed part of the man's soul which he could not live without.

However, Jambavan edged closer to the scene, touching Lakshman's shoulder. "Wait," began the dark bear. "There may still be a chance that he could survive-" Shri Ram let out another shrill yell. "But we'll need an experienced healer with abundant resources." Jambavan rubbed his forehead, exhaling and stepped back.

There was silence in response to this statement. Tentative looks were exchanged, but all Angad, Nal, and Neel could see was Lakshman, laying there like some sort of corpse. It wasn't right. If there was anybody here with life in them, it was Lakshman bhaiyya. He seemed to be brimming with simmering energy, like a cup ready to overflow. If the action was happening, wherever the most arrows, heated words, and blood was being exchanged, there was no doubt that the redheaded prince was there, scanning the scene with his pitch eyes.

"Wait-" Vibhishan began, his voice hitched. Everyone looked up except Ram, who still knelt over Lakshman, shaking his shoulders desperately, though something seemed to click in the man; his brother would not wake up. "Wait. There is a medic in Lanka. Sushen Sahib. He's very experienced. He does not agree with Bhr-Ravan's tactics or ideals. If we can switch him over to our side then-"

Before anyone could raise an eyebrow, Hanuman was increasing rapidly in size. "I volunteer for the task," he rumbled in his thundering voice, watching the scene from above. "I want to be useful. I always knew Lakshman bhaiyya as a person equally loyal as I to Prabhu Shri Ram, and someone who would sacrifice his life for any of us. If I don't do something about this, I will kill myself." And with that, Hanuman jumped up from the clearing, picking up heavy storms of dust from the floor.

-----O-----

Something Angad's mother had always told him stuck in his mind like glue. 'Only one thing keeps a person glued to their life, even after death, Angad. The memories of them." Perhaps if he just tried to remember Lakshman, he would be tied to life. Rubbing his eyes, desperate not to let the tears collecting at their edges spill over, Angad stepped forward. It was a mere shuffle, barely getting him into the inner circle, tentative, but not shy.

"When Father was-" he exhaled. "When father lost the wrestling match, I was inconsolable. Um. I didn't know how to live without him. I was unsure for a moment, whether to join the movement, the uncle, and the man, who had, essentially, somewhat led to my father's death." Sugriv stiffened, but did not interrupt. "I was sensitive, and so I yelled at everyone who tried to approach me. I apologize again for that. It wasn't your fault, not in any way."