Lakshman's Daughter

The Lotus

Somada smiled softly as the young man ran into the palace corridor. She quickly checked her reflection on the mirror before rushing to open the door.

"Princess!" He said so tenderly as she opened the door and before he could say anything more she pulled him in.

"Did you get my gift?" He asks as Somada locks the door and turns to him.

"I love it!" She smiled holding the lotus against her cheek. She handed it over to him. "I want you to clip this to my hair."

He nods and she sits on the stool in front of her dressing table. She takes off the veil and kept it on her lap. "Over here, just tuck it gently under my hair bun."

Devansh bent gently and tucked the water lily into her hair bun. Somada smiles and turns crimson as she notices Devansh smile at how the flower accentuated her beauty.

"I think the jasmines need to be taken off!" Somada said and Devansh nods. "Please remove the jasmines, Devansh."

"I would prefer if you had made me a crown made of these water lilies!" Somada said. "And they look so exquisite and exotic! Where did you get them? I have never seen such water lilies!"

"I got them when I visited Lanka. To meet King Vibhishana." Devansh said. "It was in the Ashoka Vatika. The king let me pluck a few so I can grow them in my garden."

"Does that mean you have more like this?" Somada asks jumping in her seat, highly excited.

"Yes, my princess!" He smiles as he patiently unties the last string of jasmines wound around her hair. "I am growing them in the pond at my father's quarters!"

"I want to see it! Will you take me there?" She asks.

"A princess in a commoner's quarters?" Devansh asks laughing. "Do you want to bring a scandal upon yourself?"

"I can come in disguise." Somada retorts. "I'm not asking you to take me, I'm ordering you!"

Devansh laughs. "Yes, my princess. I'll be sure to take you to my quarters, provided that you properly disguise yourself."

Somada smiles.

"Give me that veil!" He asks and she passes it to him. Somada looks in the reflection as he delicately pins the veil on to her head. "Beautiful!"

Somada smiles as she looks at his reflection.

"No bangles?" He asks as he looks at Somada's bare wrists.

"I don't-" She protested and stopped midway as he took the big platter of gold bangles. He whisks through them for a few seconds and pulls out two dainty gold bangles which had engravings of a does and the sun.

"This is a unique design!" He says.

"It's my aunt Sita's. She got this made as soon as she and my uncle came from exile. She loved these so much."

"You should wear it." Devansh declares. He scoops a few more simple gold bangles and arranges it all neatly in a nice pattern. He holds Somada's wrists and gently pushes them down her wrist.

"And now, our princess of Ayodya is ready!" He declares happily.

"Your princess wants a delicious meal and a foot massage!" Somada adds rolling her eyes.

"You will get a delicious meal and a foot massage if you could just tolerate everything for a few hours!" Devansh says holding her shoulders.

"Lets go to the grand hall!" He says.

* * * * *

Lakshman stood at the entrance of the grand hall, his eyes fixed on his daughter, Princess Somada. The hall was adorned with vibrant tapestries and shimmering chandeliers, but his gaze remained solely on her. She is a vision of grace and beauty, surrounded by well-wishers and esteemed guests.