The Ramayana - Lakshmila's POV

Days At Ayodhya

The sisters had beautifully settled into their roles as the daughters-in-law of the Royal Family of Ayodhya. Their welcome had been a festival of sorts. There were dancers, flowers showered upon them and the people greeting them at every step. They had met Ram's sister Shanta on the outskirts of Ayodhya and her husband Sage Rishyasringa. Shanta had been elated at meeting the brides of her brothers. She had taken care of them like her own children and made them feel at home. At Ayodhya, the sisters were given the customary welcome aarti along with their husbands. Queen Kausalya was a dignified and sweet person who welcomed her sons and daughters-in-law with happy tears in her eyes. She was the oldest of the queens and the most modest. Ram had inherited her calmness. Queen Kaikeyi looked regal in her beauty and her eyes shined with valour and bravery. Urmila knew she was a cherished warrior too having told by her father during one of their story times at Mithila. Queen Kaikeyi had a proud smile on her face at the sight of her sons. Bharat had inherited Kaikeyi's beauty. He was her biological son but she never showed any difference in the love for all the four brothers but Urmila thought she could see the pride in her eyes for Ram. Queen Sumitra was a calm and welcoming person and her smile made the girls feel at home.  She hugged the four sisters and was sweet with her words and wise with her actions. She was the youngest queen of King Dasharatha and the mother to twins Lakshman and Shatrughan.. Urmila noticed the similarities the twins bore to their mother. As she did the aarti of Shatrughan and Shrutikeerti she had comforted Shrutikeerti that Shatrughan could be a handful with his humor but he was a golden hearted person. Shrutikeerti had blushed at the compliment. When she came to Urmila, she exclaimed "Atlast !! My Lakshman has met his match.. I never thought that was even possible, given his temper." Urmila smiled at her comment.

Right now, the sisters were sitting in Mandavi's chambers. They never got to spend time together after their wedding due to their responsibilities but they made it a point to squeeze in sometime and meet in any of their chambers for some sister time. They had chosen Mandavi's chambers for the day. Mandavi was arranging a stack of books on the shelf "Everyone's been so busy.. We hardly have time for ourselves." Shrutikeerti piped up "Isn't that why we are here together ?? To spend some time together.." Urmila looked through the sprawled over books on the table and frowned "Mandavi.. You really need to organize this table.. The poor thing looks like tis about to break." Mandavi replied "Hmph.. You are one to talk, dear sister.." Urmila's frown deepened.. Sita chided softly " Don't start one of your tiffs now, Mandavi and Urmila." Urmila turned to Sita "What about you Sita ? You've been awfully quiet ?" Sita added "Me ?? Oh nothing.. I have been in the kitchens ofcourse.. Ayodhya's kitchens are bigger than Mithila's and one can get to learn so many recipes here." Urmila noticed the shine in Sita's eyes "I don't know what is so great about cooking. Its just putting few spices together and making a dish." Sita smiled "Just like mixing two colors of fresh paint together and making a beautiful picture, cooking is a mixture of spices to bring out a beautiful dish." Mandavi added in "And that is how Sita wins and Urmila loses this game." Urmila glared at her cousin but Mandavi's smile only deepened. Urmila muttered "Very funny Rakshasi." Shrutikeerti asked "I thought you both don't call each other that anymore ?" Urmila replied "Ofcourse not.. We are alone.. I have every right to call her Rakshasi." Mandavi retorted back "You are the Rakshasi here." Sita walked upto them and put a hand on each shoulder "Now now.. Let us not be audience to one of your infamous squabbles.. Let us talk about us.. Its been long since we've just talked.. Tell me sisters. What have you been doing ? Shrutikeerti ?" Shrutikeerti blushed lightly "Nothing Sita. Younger Soumitra is really sweet. Mother Sumitra was right when she told he could be a handful. His humor is so additive. I feel myself opening up more when I am around him." Sita smiled "What about you Mandavi ?" Mandavi piped up "Kaikeyinandan is very calm. He is very patient and listens to what I want to speak. He is a very sorted person." Sita's eyes turned towards Urmila "Urmila.. What about you ?" Urmila smiled at the thought of her husband. He might be the fearsome prince of Ayodhya but Urmila knew he was soft and caring.. They had been here for months and she understood her husband very well "I don't know. We have understood each other quite well over the last few days.. He likes to watch me paint.. I made him a portait of the palace of Ayodhya and all he tells me is that I should paint him so that my brushed would be blessed." The other three laughed at her comment. Mandavi wondered "I never thought Sumitranandan would have a sense of humor. He looks ready to claw all the time." Umrila muttered "Ofcourse he has a sense of humor.. A very dark one at that." Urmila turned towards Sita "What about you Sita ? How is Brother Ram ?" A calm smile spread across her face as she was reminded of her husband "Raghunandan is very calm and responsible. He took me out to the gardens yesterday and even into the city. People love him so much." Mandavi smiled "Ofcourse.. He is the to be king, isn't he ? People will love him.."