Suffered in silence ~~ Legend of Sumitranandans

Raghunandan - Maithilli

"Ayodhya?" A 13 year old Sita asked Janak

"Yes sweetheart, Ayodhya. We are going to Ayodhya, the capital of Kosala, Kingdom ruled by my good friend Dashrath. He and his queens have invited us for a stay at Ayodhya." Janak said with a smile.

"Are we going there Pitaji?" A 12 year old Urmila asked.

"Yes beta. King Dashrath has 3 queens and 4 sons, along with a daughter. His eldest queen is Devi Kaushalya, The princess of Magadh, His second Queen is Devi Kaikeyi, Princess of Kaikeya, and His third queen, Devi Sumitra, Though not a princess, is wise enough to give your Mata Gargi a tough competition. And Maharaj Dashrath and Maharani Kaushalya have a daughter, Shanta, who is married to Rishyashringha, and 4 sons" Sunaina said, feeding 11 year old Shrutakeerthi last bite of Roti

"And who are the princes, Badi maa?" 12 year old Mandavi asked

"Well, the eldest prince, the Son of Queen Kaushalya, Prince Ram Suryavanshi" Janak started.

Sita felt shivers run Down her spine. Ram...... The name gave her peace. Inner peace.

"And, the second Prince, The son of queen Kaikeyi, Prince Bharat Suryavanshi" Janak continued

Mandavi smiled. The name itself felt so...... Special

"Moving ahead, Sons of Queen Sumitra, twin boys, Prince Lakshman Suryavanshi & Prince Shatrughan Suryavanshi" Janak concluded

Lakshman. The name was imprinted in Urmila's heart and soul. As if the name was a remedy to all her small - big problems, as if the name was the reason for her to smile, her very purpose to live.

Shrutakeerthi stiffened. Shatrughan. The name struck her hard. She felt she knew that name for ages, and that her soul belonged to this name. She was just 11, but still, she felt butterflies in her stomach as soon as she heard that name.

'Dont be silly, You Never met him!!' All 4 of them scolded their hearts.

" Even though step brothers, I heard that their bond is Unbreakable. They love each other very much, just like my little girls .But the princes are currently at gurukul, attaining education. So I dont think we can meet them. But we are going there, nevertheless." Janak Said, as the girls dispersed to their respective chambers.

'I would love to meet you someday, prince Ram, Pitaji says you are just like me.' Sita thought

'I hope I get to see you at some point of time, Prince Bharat, as this world is such a small place' Mandavi thought

'As you are a warrior, I hope we get the opportunity to duel someday, Prince Lakshman, I'll be waiting for that moment' Urmila thought

'given the fact that we are sailing in the same boat, being the youngest in both the cases, I guess we WILL meet someday and discuss about life, Prince Shatrughan' Shrutakeerthi Thought, as nidradevi embraced them all.

************

"Princessess of Videha?" 16 year old Princes asked in unison to Arundhati.

"Yup, Rajkumaris of Videha. The Vaidehis, Maithillis, and Janakis. They are comimg along with Rajrishi Janak Seerdhwaj and Rajrani Sunaina Seerdhwaj, the King and Queen of Mithila to visit you Parents. Well, technically Mandavi and Shrutakeerthi are daughters of King Janak's brother, king Kushadhwaj and Queen Chandrabhaga, The king and queen of Sankasya, But they are raised like own siblings."

They could only nod. The princes were waiting eagerly to return back home within 8 months, and meet their parents. The small childish princes have now become 16 year old warriors, but were still kids, however.