THE STORY OF LIFE | A 21ST CENTURY RAMAYANA

BACK HOME WITH LOVE

Five days had passed since the incident and all the family had been present with Lakshman all through. Siya had not received any phone calls in between, and even Ram didnt attend office, so she couldn't get some more information on the caller as yet. Investigation was continuing, and not much had been found, expect for the fact that a CCTV footage had been obtained of the crash which could be of help.

It was morning, and all of them waited to take Lakshman back. He had shown speedy recovery and the doctor had allowed him to go, though with a plaster on his shoulder and daily physiotherapy. They waited outside and one of the doctors came up to them and said,"Sir, he is ready. You can take him." Ram and Bharat rushed in with the others behind them. Lakshman finally stood, though will support, and was back to the energy level that was characterised with him. He smiled on seeing everyone and Urmila caught him softly as they were about to walk out. Ram said,"Lakshman, everyone is waiting for you at home. And today, Please, I dont want any angry grudges against anyone." Lakshman thought of Mandira and made a scowl face. He sighed and said,"Ok, I'll try my best." "Nothing can be done of you," said Urmila. Lakshman laughed and they slowly walked towards the lift to take him down to the car. Shatrughan and Shruti thanked the doctors and followed them. 

At the hospital gate, the staff was out to bid him and wish him a healthy life. After all, the hospital belonged to them. The press tries to walk up to him, but his guards blocked them. Lakshman, however walked upto them with Urmila and announced,"I am well now. Thank you for your good wishes. I will get back later." As he was walking away, one of reporters asked,"Sir, who is behind this?" Lakshman stopped and looked at him and replied,"I dont know, but whoever is behind this will not be spared." They walked again. Urmila said to him,"Lakshman, why do you have to say everything to the reporters?" Lakshman replied,"The culprit should know who I am, and what I can do." They reached the car, and Urmila made him sit carefully inside. She went to the other side and sat. As the car started, She said,"Lakshman, everyone knows who you are, you dont need to prove it." "There is one person to whom I need to prove this," he said.

"When will they come? I am getting worried Di," said Sumitra as she arranged the Aarti Thali to welcome Lakshman back into the house. Being an ardent believer of God, she believed in such things. Kraanti looked out the door and said,"Don't get worried. Ram said they are on the way, lets see." Mandira came down from her room and walking up to them saw the arrangements being made for Lakshmans homecoming. All his favourite food was being made, and the house cleaned and polished. She said to Kraanti,"Well, all this is for Lakshman?" Kraanti excitedly replied,"Yes. All his favourite things are being done. It will brighten his mood. " Mandira made a scornful face looking around. She moved closer to Kraanti and whispered in her ear,"But Kraanti, I am just saying, what if something like this happened to Bharat, or Shatrughan? Would everyone behave and care for him the same way?" Kraanti looked at her sharply and said,"Aunty, first of all nothing will happen to Bharat or Shatrughan. And, all of us love the four brothers equally. We dont differentiate in them." Just then, they heard a line of cars stop outside. "They have come," said Sumitra and she rushed down with Dashrath, who stood there. Kraanti walked away angrily from Mandira and went down, smiling.

All the couples came out from their cars and went to help Lakshman. But the latter was so excited to be back home that he told them to move back and got down himself. Urmila caught him by the hand and took him up the staircase. Sumitra sobbed lightly as she performed the Aarti on him and at the end said,"May God always keep all of you blessed and may no more problems come your way." Siya closed her eyes, wishing her prayer comes true. They moved in as Lakshman sat on the sofa, he smelled something and said,"Is my favourite stuff being mad today?" Dashrath sat next to him and said,"Yes. My fighter's favourite food is being made." Lakshman smiled. "truly, he is a fighter," said Kraanti,"He has shown such speedy recovery." She ruffled through his hair. Mandira sat on the sofa opposite to him, and looking at her fingernails said,"Ofcourse Lakshman is a fighter. He fought with so many people since childhood, that it has become his habit now." All of them present there looked straight at her, and made an irritated face. The tiff between her and Lakshman had been known to everybody, and they just hoped for no more tussles. Lakshman got up and holding Urmila's hand said,"Urmila, Im feeling tired. Lets go up. I am a fighter, but I dont waste time on fighting on stupid things." He tugged at her and walked up the staircase, quicker than he was used to with the plaster on. Mandira stood up angrily and said to Kraanti,"See, this is why I have been telling you to control him. How can he talk to me like that?!" Bharat walked up to her and held her softly and as he took her away he said,"Aunty, you come with me. Leave him. You should take some rest." Maanvi went behind him to leave her to the room. As she was leaving, she turned around and said,"See, how good our Bharat is. And see that other one." Bharat tugged at her and took her away. As she went, all of them seated there breathed a sigh of relief.