THE STORY OF LIFE | A 21ST CENTURY RAMAYANA

SHIPRA AND RAM

The snow fall had stopped. Shipra came out of the coffee shop in the marketplace. Looking left she saw a huge crowd gathered there. Curious, she went ahead.
Breaking through the crowd, she saw a bloody fight between 10 men. And a few of them she even recognized. But she kept quiet. Obviously, she didn't want to reveal she was Raghavans sister, or she would be beaten with them too.


Ram and Lakshman searched and found the crowd. They ran in and separated the two quarreling groups.
Ram caught hold of one man and asked, "Are you a part of Raghavans group?"
"Say his name with respect. It's Sir. DHARVESH Sir. "

Ram slapped him right across the face and held his collar.

Shipra saw one man she knew getting beaten up, but who was beating her she couldn't see. All she knew was the man was very strong and brave. She was impressed by such kind of men.
And then Ram turned around. He faced Shipra. Shipra took a deep breath in. She knew who he was. She removed her shades and put them in her Hair. It had been a long time since the sight of a man had influenced her so much. Her heart started beating faster. She was... Mesmerized. The Ram she had seen months back was not the same.
Ram punched all the goons he caught at his hand while Lakshman pushed them into the police trucks which had arrived by then. When Ram was saw Such disgusting acts, he couldn't control himself. Clean shaven, hair open and with a twinkle in his eyes, Ram punished the sinners. His veins showed from his skin and the folds of his Tshirt were crumpled.
"Insult a woman again and I will kill you! "yelled Ram. The people around were relieved, they knew they had a savior.
Shipra for the first time in many years felt a sensation run through her. She was falling for a man. She followed him till his house and stopped. She would enter another day.
After about 15 minutes , when all this was over, Lakshman told Ram to go back to the house. He searched frantically for Urmila. Finally, he saw her sitting on a bench, silent and looking down.
Lakshman ran straight towards her.
"Urmila? " he said softly.
Urmila looked up at him and burst out crying. She hugged him tightly.
" You're finally here. I was so scared Lakshman. All those fights and the blood.. I usually am not scared but.. "
" But? "
" She's here Lakshman. "
" Who Urmila? "
" Shipra. "


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Ram was going back to the house. He was a little hurt on the hand and it pained now. He couldn't control himself then.. How disgusted he felt when he saw the sight. He moved faster thinking about Siya being alone at home. But he was being followed, which he didn't know.
Shipra wore her glasses again and followed him slowly at a safe distance. She wanted to know where they lived in Manali. Her association with Lakshman was just that of Infatuation.. But now that she had seen the other side of Ram, her heart just flew away. She knew he was married but : She wanted him. Desperately.


"What are you saying Urmila? "
" I swear Lakshman. She was right there, on the street across me. "
Lakshman and Urmila were walking back home. Apparently, Urmilas phone was broken, and she didn't want to go home alone, and that's why she sat on the bench.
" Why could she be here Lakshman. I'm not liking this. "

" Don't worry Mila. Don't forget there is a case registered against her. She will be quiet now. "
" And you don't forget that the case might be closed by now. It was in your name and now you are here and.. "
They stopped talking till they reached home. Inside, Siya was tying a bandage around Rams arm. She had scolded him a lot and that could be understood from the kind yet sorry way Ram looked at her.

" Who told you to go and fight with those people? I let you go only because I thought you Will stop the fight, not to hurt yourself. " Ram was feeling hurt both physically and mentally.

" And Bhabi, " said Lakshman as he and Urmila entered," Our Urmila is no less. Madam was sitting there waiting for me. "
Urmila looked down but Siya smiled.
" Really Urmila, you tensed us. " As they came in, the teenagers left.

" Bhabi, I have to tell you something else too. "
" What Lakshman? "
Lakshman and Urmila looked at each other.

" Didi, I saw Shipra at the market today. "
Siya s eyes widened.
" What?! The same Shipra who.. " Ram asked.
" Yes Bhaiyya, the very same one. "