Ramyana OS

A Lovers Reunion

The Ramayana, a lore of Siyaram's love whose undertones resonate with another love story...LakshMila

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Lakshman walked through the long corridors, a stark contrast to narrow pathways in the woods. His eyes roamed over the place that he called home. Walls made of bricks and stones, with wooden framework were painted a mighty red and gold. Columns of wood stood on either side of each pass, carved intricately with idols of gods,goddesses and the designs that made one want to stop and examine them. Soft carpets strewn along the entire length of the corridors felt foreign under his feet used to the stones and thorns of the jungle. Lanterns hung loosely from the walls emitting a soft glow, and diyas were lit at every corner in decorative staffs. He breathed in the scented air and exhaled.

Everything was the same, it was as if he never left, as if he was walking the corridors a millionth time on the way from his to Ram bhaiya's chambers. Only difference, there was a queen's conspiracy, a father's demise, fourteen years in exile and a vicious war separating Lakshman then and Lakshman now.
But he was home now, and enclosed whithin the four walls of this very home was his heart,his Urmila still fast asleep in his wait.

Lakshman tried to fill his mind with positive thoughts,but they were soon marred by acidic spots of guilt burning holes through the images he had conjoured. He neared his chamber, Urmila's presence now palpable in the air. The guilt still wouldn't stop lashing at him. He had left his wife alone, for fourteen years. No one should have to endure the separation that had befallen the love of his life.

He paused just as he reached his chambers, feet shifting uneasily, making patterns on the carpet. His gaze was fixated on the threshold, for he knew the moment he stepped in and looked up, he would be transformed from Ram bhaiya's brother and Sumitra's son to Urmilanath, Urmila's husband.

He inhaled deeply, and swiftly stepped inside the dimly lit chamber, he allowed his gaze to drift upwards and settle on to the delicate frame resting on the king sized bed.

Urmila looked to be fast asleep, her lithe body draped in silken sheets, like a lotus blooming in a pond. She wore blue, he noted, his favourite colour, her pink blouse beautifully complimenting her slightly wheatish complexion. Jewels adorned her body. An eye catching gold necklace, studded with diamonds and sapphires gifted by him on their first anniversary. Golden jhumkas dangled from her ears, ones that maa Sumitra had gifted to her on their wedding day. A bindi adorned her forehead, failing to cover the red of the sindoor that she had applied for Lakshman. Delicate payal on her feet, without the ghungroo mind you, because she thought it was too announcy, a sound that was music to Lakshman's ears. Every garment and ornament that adorned her, seemed to be an attempt to hold on to Lakshman's memory. He caught sight of her face, bathed in the starlight putting the very moon to shame as it glowed with the light of her penance and framing it were long black tresses gently tickling her cheeks and adding to her divinity.

Lakshman choked, his tears a testament to the surge of emotions that had coursed through him. The kind he hadn't felt for fourteen years. Happiness like no other, relief and contentment with a hint of desire. He experienced an inexplicable rush of ecstasy as he was unconsciously pulled closer to her. He reached the bed, and gently lowered himself on it, it sagged, unlike the hard ground and boulders that served to support him for the past fourteen years.

He reached for her hand, his eyes never leaving her face as his fingers closed around hers. Her hand was cool, a contrast to his rather warm one. Tears spilled from his eyes at the contact, so simple yet somehow deeply intimate.
An urge to see himself reflected in her eyes, broke his reverie. He called out to her softly. As softly as the first ray of sunlight falling on a petal.
" Urmila. Look I have come."
No response. His heart beat erratically.
"Mila" He called again,
" wake up dear. It's your Lakshman, I am here, right next to you."