Suffered in silence ~~ Legend of Sumitranandans

Idk

13 Years.

Kaikeyi just couldn't take it anymore

She, the warrior princess of Kaikeya, the prettiest wife of the late emperor Dasharatha, the firm, strong and kind Queen of the Kosala empire, the mother of a very capable son, was a complete failure.

The emperor who showered her with all the love in the world was dead, all due to her actions. The empire who once hailed her as their dear Queen, now spit on the ground bitterly when her name is heard. Her Son, no, Sons, three of them, had left their home, only due to her

But was she really a failure? All her life, she had been a loving Princess and Queen, fulfilling each of her responsibility with grace. Then, how did her one mistake decide her character?

Kaikeyi did not know the answers to those questions. What she knew was that, at this point, all her children, except for Bharata had forgiven her.

She stood up elegantly, and walked in front of the mirror. Her own reflection bought tears in her eyes.

Her husband usually said that their Son Bharata had gotten her charming smile, which could melt anyone's heart. Kaikeyi sniffled. Oh, how she longed to see that smile!

And so, determined to meet Bharat and talk to him at any cost, she wrapped herself in a shawl over her white saree and walked out of her chambers.

***********

Shatrughan, after a long day at the court, was sitting with his wife and Sister-in-law around a round table, seriously discussing the pros and cons for the construction of a new dam.

"I think we should consult Bharat bhaiyya on this" Urmila said, when none of them reached a conclusion

"Alright, then. I will have this sent to him via a messenger" Shatrughan said, clumsily pushing all the scrolls to one side of the table and getting up.

Just as he said that, they saw Kaikeyi walking towards the palace gates with a sort of determination that almost scared Shatrughan

"Maa? Where to?" Shatrughan asked her, making her halt in her steps.

She looked towards them and smiled a little.
"Nandigrama" She said

Suddenly, something clicked in Shrutakirti's mind

"Maa, why don't you go after a while? The lunch is almost ready, please eat and then go" She said. Shatrughan raised an eyebrow. What was going in his wife's brain?

"That way-" Shrutakirti continued "Shatru can accompany you as well! He anyways has to meet Bhaiyya regarding a state affair"
She did not add that it could be done through a messenger.

Kaikeyi, however, looked happy that she did not have to meet her son all alone, and agreed readily.

Shatrughan turned to his wife, annoyed.

"I won't go, Kirti" He said adamantly. Urmila sighed.

"Shatru, why do you do this to yourself? You avoiding Bhaiyya would not do good to anyone. Thirteen years, and you both have not had a conversation which is not official. Please, Shatru, I don't think I can take this anymore! You have to, and you will go." She said with a tone that couldn't be questioned.

Shatrughan left the room, gritting his teeth.

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

Shatrughan's patience and optimism was at the verge of draining out completely.

No one would ever know, but Shatrughan still hadn't gotten over the disaster that had taken place thirteen years ago.

Its just that, it all happened so suddenly that it he never got the time to accept that it was all real. That his father was dead. Elder brothers, one exiled and two self exiled.