Ramyana OS

Stars of Ayodhya

The nagari of Ayodhya lay sprawled next to the holy river Sarayu, the city giving a tough competition to the sky filled with thousands of twinkling stars. Every street, every house was decked up like a new bride, rangoli decorated the roads, sweet perfumes and aromas of delicious delicacies wafted through the air. Men , women and children alike put on their best clothes and danced and sang in joy. A joy that took fourteen years to restore.

Rising tall among the beautiful city was the royal palace of Ayodhya in all its regality.  Decorated like never before, each column, each window and each corner illuminated with bright lights, flower garlands strung across every entrance, it seemed to be celebrating as much as it's citizens.

In the same royal palace two figures stood in the balcony seemingly arguing, an antique vase lying broken between them.

"I am absolutely NOT going to be the one to tell Sumitra maa this, Shatrughan."
The voice of the third prince Lakshman echoed through the chamber.

" That's not fair!" Shatrughan whined. It's your turn this time. I told her all sorts of things for the past fourteen years."

" No it is not my turn, and didn't we agree not to include the past decade. So accordingly it is only fair that you tell her. Besides, she loves you more." Lakshman coaxed.

Shatrughan frowned at this
"Nonsense! It's YOU who has her favour this time, use it dude, who knows what that hot head of yours will compell you to do."

"Are you calling me a hothead?!"

" Well, you are one!"

Across the room, Ram entered the chamber and was immediately enveloped by a strong sense of nostalgia as the voices of the arguing twins reached his ears. A broad smile lit up his face as he was transported back several years.
But wait, one prince was missing. He raked his eyes across the room and spotted his second brother, Bharat, reclining on a nearby chair, feet propped up and hands behind his head enjoying the ongoing argument.

He strode up to Bharat and clapped him on the shoulder.
"Enjoying, are we?" Ram asked playfully.

"Very much." Bharat replied before realizing it was Ram who stood behind him.
He started and jumped out of his seat to face Ram.
"Ram bhaiya! Didn't see you there!"

" I should think not, someone was too busy watching his brothers fight." Ram gestured towards the Sumitranandans whose fight had escalated to a playful wrestling match.

" Uhhh...yeah." Bharat scratched the back of his head sheepishly

" I am actually surprised they are still fighting with you here, 'Bharat the Peacemaker'." Ram exclaimed throwing his arms in the air in a dramatic fashion.

Bharat laughed.
"Oh bhaiya! It's just that, it was so silent all these years. Just me and Shatrughan. And you know I don't like to fight, and Shatrughan had become all calm and composed. I missed this, their fights and arguments, all the ruckus and drama they created together...I did used to stop them before, but now it's music to my ears. Didnt you miss it too bhaiya?"

Ram sighed,
"I did, Bharat, a lot. Lakshman too turned silent, primarily focused on protecting us. He wouldn't talk for days and when he did, it was never the same old Lakshman whose quips made us dissolve into peals of laughter."

"But one thing hasn't changed bhaiya." Bharat said watching as Shatrughan struggled to get out of Lakshman's strong hold.

Ram looked at him questioningly.
Bharat smiled
" Both of them refuse to leave us for even a second...it's always 'bhaiya this and bhaiya that'. "

"And I hope it stays that way." Ram said. " Now come on, let's intervene before one or both of them fall out the balcony."
Ram slung his arm around Bharat and both of them approached the twins.

"Hey boys! Quit it." Bharat admonished.
Lakshman and Shatrughan immediately straightened as they. saw both of their brothers approach.

Ram and Bharat broke off to go and stand next to their respective Saumitra.

Bharat pulled Shatrughan who was making faces at Lakshman out of the latter's reach.
"Seriously guys, it's been what, not even a week since you returned, and you've already began to destroy the peace of the palace."

Lakshman took his eyes off Shatrughan, beamed at Ram who casually slung his arm around his neck and finally turned to Bharat.
" Come on Bharat BHAIYA." He began, stressing on the word bhaiya.
" The chambers have been quiet for long enough,they need a bit of commotion, don't you think?"

Bharat sighed as Ram bent over and picked up a big piece of the broken vase.
" Yes that is all okay Lakshman, but what conclusion did you come to after all this arguing and fighting? Who's going to tell maa Sumitra this? Oh she's gonna be mad."

"There is one way." Shatrughan said miming a sinister look.
"War. A Prank War. A continuation of the one we had in the Gurukul."
Ram stiffened and Bharat gwaked as Lakshman mulled over the proposal.

"Not a bad idea actually, let us include everyone this time, it will serve to lift their spirits."

"Absolutely not!! Ram and Bharat chorused. Ram pulled Lakshman back.
" I am not having you fight another war, especially not after the last one."

"Besides, this war of yours will make all three of the mothers mad, just settle it now." Bharat urged wedging himself between Lakshman and Shatrughan.
Shatrughan unable to contradict Bharat, groaned.

"Fiiineee, I'll be kind and tell her. But you have to come with."

"Okay only if you don't chicken out."

"Deal?"
 
"Deal."
Both of them shook hands as their brothers sighed with relief of having avoided a colossal showdown.

"Ohhkayy, now if that's settled then let's go let our presence be known at the dinner table, lest they forget about us."
Ram steered his brothers out, surrounded by exclamations of
"Come on bhaiya. "
"Nobody can forget you!"
"Don't say that."

Their voices faded away as the palace rejoiced in return of its beloved princes both in body and spirit. The brothers once separated by the call of duty, were brought together again by the unending love they shared, unlike that was ever seen before.

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A/N: Hey people, how's you. I thought I'd write a cute ch on the brothers before we dive into romance again, soo here we go. I really adore the way that Ram Lakshman and Bharat Shatrughan always stay together like it's an unsaid rule. Also please forgive me if you find it a bit boring, coz it was written in haste. Anyway keep reading .
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