SitaRamam: A Timeless Symphony

Hey Sita (Part II)

Mid day was quiet and even quieter in the quaint village of Kashmir, where they were residing at present. Spring time had to come to Kashmir but in her courtyard it had arrived along with light gusts of earlier winter chills.

She shivered in sudden moments, pulling the shawl closer around her.  As much as she wanted to blame the weather- the bright, sunny, warm afternoon- she knew the chills were intrinsic to her and not extrinsic. She knew, that along with her mind, her body too was now not far behind in reminding her of a future she was to face, a future she dreaded to face. 

Not far away a group of goats were bleating, pleasantly breaking the silence of the surroundings. Noor unconsciously squinted her eyes as she began looking for the this lone source of sound, spotting the mass of white dots gliding down the green pasture of the distant hill.

A tune reverberated from her lips. It was a tune she was very familiar with, one she had grown up with, one that had transferred from her mother's lips to hers. It was a lulling tune which held a cocoon of warmth and comfort, something she was desperately seeking as she clutched the opened letter in between the sweaty palms. 

It was a letter from her brother; a simple letter enquiring about her well being. It held no command to return or question of her intentions for the future. But it had  thrown her into a range of tumultuous thinking. What was she to do now? How long would she meander aimlessly in the blissful little home they both had built, ignoring her responsibilities to her family? How long would she dwell in this blissful ignorance, dragging her Ram in the deep crevices of the same too? 

She knew, that in this slow conundrum, she was hurting Ram the most; something that would earlier be her worst nightmares was now her living reality.  Noor shuddered, drawing her arms closer around herself in a feeble attempt to assuage the agitated state of her mind and body.  She wanted some comfort, longed for it.

A mild but nevertheless sharp pain sprung at the center of her back. She turned around, her eyes immediately catching a glimpse of the white golf ball roll down to the garden. 

"Hey Sita"

Noor's heart fluttered. No matter what, Ram's gentle, manly voice calling her by that name never failed to delight her. She smiled, looking up at the man who reciprocated her smile with equal intensity.

"Ram" She said, running her gaze all over him quickly, making sure there were no wounds or any signs of weakness or ill health. In the days following his return, Ram had made some good improvements in his health , but Sita could never be too careful.

"What are you holding in your hands Sita?" He asked, swinging his golf club in the air.

"Nothing...nothing of use at all" Noor's answer was flustered, "Just some useless old papers."

She didn't realise how and when she had stepped back too while hiding the letter behind her back. She chided herself in her mind; she was making it so obvious to Ram that she was lying with her actions.

She was right. Ram's earlier pleasant expression had morphed into one which held deep concern and worry but was simultaneously edged with a deeper, darker emotion.

Noor inhaled a sharp breathe as Ram walked closer to her. She could not fathom this new emotion on his face which cast a dark mystery to his eyes at present.

"What's the matter Sita Mahalakshmi?" Ram asked, gazing into her eyes.

He was starting to feel frustrated now but he had decided that today he would make his dearest Sita speak out. He wouldn't let her suffer alone, whatever be the reasons for her afflictions at present.