The Broken Prince

Chapter 3 - The Brothers

"Where is Lakshman...!"said Bharath looking at the entrance of the guest house in the palace of Mithila. 

"Probably with Ram bhaiya..." Replied Shatrughan in an easy voice.

"No...Bhaiya is doing meditation , he is alone in the room."

"This is the only time when Ram bhaiya can escape from my crazy twin...Lakshman bhaiya hates meditation ,Thank God..."

Shatrughan giggled and winked his eyes when Bharath gave him a warning look.

"Do you remember bhaiya, how reluctant he was when Guruji(teacher) asked him for studying and explaining the Vedhas in gurukul..."

The image of his little brother hiding behind the trees to escape from the long boring lessons brought a smile on Bharath's face.

"He had changed a lot..."

"You are correct, Bhaiya..." Shatrughan nodded his head and continued with a smirk "Now he never get a chance to hide behind the trees due to his well built body..."

Bharath glared at his youngest brother with widened eyes...

"Seriously Shatrughan... Are you trying to mask his absence by pranking me...!"

"May be...But it is not easy...Actually impossible..."

Both of them turned back to see Lakshman standing there with his sword and horse.

"Where were you Lakshman? don't say that you went for a practise section in this time..."

"No bhaiya... I was in the garden..."

"In the garden, with a sword...What a combination....Amazing bhaiya..." Shatrughan whispered.

"I am not in the mood to argue with you on this topic..." Whispered Lakshman back and walked towards the room to change his clothes.

"Oh...He is really happy today, otherwise he never miss a chance to get angry..."

Exclaimed Shatrughan and both of them burst into laughter. 

.........                                                                                                                                                                                   "How was your first day in Mithila?"

Asked Ram to Bharath and Shatrughan. The four princes were in a brotherly talk at the balcony after their dinner.

"Wonderful bhaiya... I am very happy that I spent some quality time with the great scholar Raja Janak" said Bharath and shatrughan nodded his head in a 'Me too' manner.

"And with his elder niece Mandavi bhabi(sister-in-law) also..." Said Lakshman while Bharath closed his eyes and turned his head from his brothers so that they can't see his blushed cheeks.

"Not again Lakshman...Leave that boy..." Ram warned his naughty brother.

"This Lakshman bhaiya always targets Bharath bhaiya for his pranks...What a well mannered prince..."

Shatrughan moved a little closer to Ram after his words when he got a sharp look from Lakshman.

Ram laughed on his statement and asked. "How is everyone in Ayodhya , What about our mothers..."

"Extremely happy for our marriage bhaiya... I can't explain it through words actully...All nation is celebrating the news like a festival...All are waiting for the arrival of the princesses of Mithila..."

"Glad to hear those words Shatrughan...Sita and her sisters will never disappoint them in any way. They are the best royal brides Ayodhya could ever have..."

"Sure Ram bhaiya...There is no one to match with their beauty and wisdom..." Replied Bharath.

"Especially Mandavi bhabi...Isn't it Bharath bhaiya..."  

"Lakshman . I said not again." Ram scolded him in a stern voice.

"Sorry bhaiya..."

"It's ok, Laksh... I love Mandavi. I respect her personality and admire her beauty..."

"Bharath bhaiya...are you alright...You sounds like Shatrughan...I mean this level open and clear while speaking...!" exclaimed Lakshman.

"Let me take it as a praise my dear elder twin...Actually my style of speech is far better than yours...You would be either murmuring or yelling when you get angry...And you are angry all the time..."

"Will you both stop this right now..." Said Bharath in a loud voice while Ram suppressed his laugh.

"Again sorry bhaiya..."

"Well...Enough for today...Good night my dear brothers..."

"Good night bhaiya..." The trio replied in unison.

..................................

Ram was lying on his bed...Sleep was away from him. He was thinking about the changes happened in his life after arriving Mithila. 

"May I come in, bhaiya..."

A small smile lightened up Ram's face .He was expecting this from the evening...

"you don't need a permission to enter in my room Laksh...You know that."

.....
Will continue...