THE STORY OF LIFE | A 21ST CENTURY RAMAYANA

THE FIRST MEET

The four girls and their father/uncle retired to their special 'story' room, a room in their palatial house that Janak had made specially for spending time with his children and telling them stories , before any of them were born. Little did he know that his children would be story-fans even when they would turn adults!

The girls sat on their respective armchairs and let Janak sit in the middle. Even in the fast life of today, he believed in the principles of family bond and values. He said,"Girls, today I will not tell you a story. I will tell you about something I am planning for. I already have discussed it with your mothers and Kush, and they have agreed. So, as you know, our university will complete 180 years of its existence at Agartala. " A smile lit up on Siya's face. "So, I was thinking of throwing a party.." At this moment, all the girls leapt up in joy and went to thrash on him. Janak raised his hands to tell them to sit, and they obeyed, but butterflies were still running in their stomach.
He continued," I will hold it at the house itself. All our friends and relatives will be invited. I will invite even those who helped us during our , well, not so good times, though we did have only one such time. And that too before your birth. "
Siya interrupted, " But Dad, you never told us anything about this. What happened?"
Janak replied,"Though it may spoil the happy mood now, I will share it with you. Just so you know what can happen in life, when you don't want it to happen.

Just before Siya's birth, a huge fire had destroyed the library of the university. It had caused a huge loss for me. Then, Dashrath Suryavanshi, the MD of Ishvaku Group Of Companies came to my rescue and helped me restore the library. Yes, even when he fell in trouble I helped him, but I never forgot that incident. And since all of you have come into my life, I have never encountered another financial problem. "
Everyone smiled. Janak continued," Ok. Now enough of this. I will invite them too. And I plan to hold his party ... three days from today." "Three days?!", everyone exclaimed. "But we don't have enough time, Uncle,"said Shruti. 'Even I don't', thought Janak though to himself. "My child, I have to leave for Australia a day after that. Even I don't have time." Siya said, with her usual calm tone,"No problem father. We'll get everything done. Won't we?" All the sisters said the same in agreement and went off for a good nights sleep.

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The next morning all of them got up early, and left for shopping. They wanted to choose and do everything themselves. The convoy of their cars left the house. The sisters always travelled in the same car, they did not separate themselves even there. Today they had taken Urmila's favourite car. The other cars behind them were for the guards and one car empty of the goods they would buy. Rich people, you know.

At afternoon, the sisters had completed shopping for the lights and got the party management organised. At a particular junction, Urmila, who was driving their car, took a sharp turn and met face to face with another car. Everyone jerked from their seats and was scared. After a few moments Urmila got down from the car in a fury and walked towards the other car angrily in her knee length bright red dress. Her hair was left open, and now she looked even angrier. Siya tried to stop her, but in vain. From the other car came down the chauffeur, who tried to talk to Urmila, but she repeatedly ordered him to get the master of the car out.

Lakshman could not stand the idea of sitting inside the car any longer, as his brother Ram told him to do. He said,"Bhaiyya, Im sorry. But I can't sit here like an idiot." He thrashed open the door of the car and moved the chauffeur. He looked at her. She looked at him. For some reason, the anger in both of them subsided for some time. He felt a sense unexplainable. You know, when something bad happens to us due to some human activity, we become angry on the person who might have done it. But when that person turns out to be a known one, the anger decreases to some extent. The same happened with them. They hadn't seen each other before, but their hearts said something else. Urmila cleared her throat and stated,"Hello? Why did you bang my car?" Lakshman  was brought back to his senses. The anger subsided had risen up again! He said," You are the one who took a sharp turn madam!" "Oh really? Didn't I give an indicator?" said Urmila. "Im sorry, my chauffeur didn't understand your irresponsible driving." Both of them fumed. Siya could understand something was wrong. She got down and walked towards Urmila. Lakshman felt a hand on his shoulder. Ram said," Lakshman, people are looking at us. Lets go back." They turned to go, when Ram heard a voice. A girl's voice. It pinched his heart. He stopped and tuned around. Siya looked from her sister to the eyes that were now looking at hers. All sounds from the surroundings stopped. She could only see those light green eyes of his. He could smell her rose like fragrance. She was a few feet away,still he could feel her presence. Their eyes talked a story of their own. Siya had never seen such a man before. Not just handsome, but a true gentleman. They kept looking at each other for a few moments more, which seemed eternity. It was as if they were looking at themselves in the mirror. Lakshman tugged at Ram's shoulders and said," lets go." Ram said," Sorry," and turned around towards the car, but looking for one last time at her. Siya. But he didn't know who she was.

Siya sat in her car. She was silent. 'What happened to me,'she thought. All the way back home, Urmila poured her anger out. But Siya remained silent, and formed and image of Ram in her mind from their few seconds of meeting.

Lakshman said to Ram," Bhaiiyaa, I told you it was a bad idea of yours to come to Agartala by the morning flight today. See, this is just the beginning of bad." Ram said,"Nothings wrong Lakshman. Learn to see the good in bad. Who knows, it may come to you in the form of .." "In the form of?", asked Lakshman. "Somebody, god, or an angel."

Siya had never been so restless before. What had happened to her? Even she didn't know. They reached home, and after her lunch Siya left for the University to finish off pending flies. Janak sat in his cabin calling the caterers. Just then, he was told someone had come to visit him. He sighed leaving his work and went out to the living room. He hoped it was not Mr. Rajrshi again. But no, here was someone else. Janak's face lit up on seeing them and he made them sit down. He said,"Ram, it is so nice to have you here!"

Ram and Lakshman got up from their seats and touched his feet. Janak stood up and blessed them and said,"My children, it is so nice to see values in today's children." Ram and Lakshman went to their places. Ram said,"No uncle. I feel it is our duty to pay the small respect that we as humans should pay to our elders. We actually arrived in Ayodhya, our native place yesterday. As soon Dad got your invitation he accepted it of course, but I wanted to come here and thank you for two reasons. One being, for sending the invitation and second for inviting us to see the AIM university also. It had always been one of my wishes to see this university, a place from where thousands of geniuses pass out every year." Lakshman thought to himself,'Thats why bhaiyya was so willing to come here.' Janak replied,"My child, this party is in honour of competition 180 years of establishment of our university. And my idea of inviting everyone to see the University is just to make everyone aware of what education can do in our lives. To show how far India has reached in education. And plus to fulfil some peoples wishes, like yours." All of them shared a laugh. The servant brought in tea for all and they were joined by Sunaina. She asked them how they were doing and if they were liking it in Agartala or not. "We love this place," replied Lakshman. Janak asked Sunaina,"Where are the children?" "They are coming to get the interiors done," came the reply. Just then, they heard a car stop at the front door. "Here they are", Janak said. "My daughters handle the University nowadays you know," he continued. Ram suddenly felt a beat go loud in his heart. He placed the tea cup on the table and got up to welcome them. Siya entered wearing a 3\4th hand floral dress and left her hair open. Urmila came behind her. Siya took off her shades and saw her parents standing there. There was someone standing behind them, only the arm was visible. Janak said,"Girls, these are our guests. They are the scions to the Ishvaku Group of Companies. " Janak moved, and revealed who they were. All their mouths fell. Urmila's fire fumed again. Siya lost herself again. "This man, is Lakshman Suryavanshi and this man here, the elder brother, is Ram Suryavanshi." Ram', Siya though to herself. Ram looked at her. Thats why he was feeling so weird. He could sense her. Sunaina said," And here our daughters. There is Shruti, and this Maanvi standing next to her. They are daughters of my brother in law, Kush Seerdhwaj. And this is Urmila and she is Siya, my eldest daughter. Urmila and Siya Seerdhwaj." Siya, Ram-Siya, thought Ram.

Janak and Sunaina walked out of the room to talk to the event manager standing outside, leaving a confused group of young people inside. Urmila walked up to Lakshman and said,"I am sorry. But it was not completely not my fault. And how did you reach here anyways?" Lakshman put his hands in his pocket and replied,"Ma'am, I know it was my chauffeurs fault also, and I apologise for that. But I didn't REACH here. I was brought here. We have been invited to the party also." Urmila's face dropped. Maanvi and Shruti apologised and pulled Urmila away. Lakshman sat down on the sofa . Ram and Siya stood there, looking around, standing in front of each other, trying to avoid eye contact. Ram took a deep breath and said,"You have a beautiful house." Siya replied,"Thank you. So, you will be attending the party right?" Ram nodded. "Very Good. I am sure you will have a good time here." She walked away, trying to hid her red cheeks. How she blushed! Ram sat on the sofa and told himself,'Ram-Siya. Siya-Ram. Not bad. But don't go too far, learn to respect her thoughts." Janak came back and asked,"Where did they go?" A servant replied,"Sir, they went to their rooms." Ram and Lakshman stood up to leave. They wished each other farewell. Back in the car, Ram kept silent all the way through. Janak and Sunaina, when bidding them away, thought to themselves,"They would be perfect. My blessings are with them."