Siya and Urmila were arranging the table for the breakfast next morning.
URMILA- papa... Have you taken your morning medicine.?
Urmila asked Dashrath who was sitting at the dinning, reading newspaper.
DASHRATH- nahi beta.. will you bring it for me..?
URMILA- sure papa..
Urmila nods and leaves towards Dashrath's room. Meanwhile kranti and Sumitra too made their way to the dinning.
SIYA- kaka.. juice le aayiye please..
Siya instructs one of the worker who nods in agreement and leaves from there. Manvi and Shruti came there running. They both look at Kranti and then at the time.
SHRUTI- aa.. maa.. sorry.. we got late.. we were doing other work..
Shruti apologize to Kranti before she scolds them or say other things to them.
KRANTI- hmm.. it's ok..
Kranti smile at them lightly. Manvi took the bowl from Siya and started serving everyone herself.
RAM- siya...
Siya turns to look at Ram who was coming near the table.
RAM- siya we have very important work today.. so we have to leave early..
Said Ram to Siya and started showing some files to Dashrath.
SIYA- ha Ram.. but atleast have something then go... Please..
Siya requested him to have breakfast for which he lightly nods his head in agreement.
SIYA- Bharat. .. Shatrughan.... Lakshman come for the breakfast..
Siya calls everyone and started preparing their plates. The boys came at the table almost running.
SHATRUGHAN- sorry bhaiya . I know we have to leave early. Thodi der hogayi.. sorry..
Shatrughan apologize to Ram who smile nodding in disbelief.
DASHRATH- learn how to be punctual you all.. aage jake tum sab ko hi kam aayega..
Dashrath instructs them while busy in the files while Kranti looks at him in disappointment.
BHARAT- bhabhi.. jaldi..
Bharat request Siya to serve fast while Manvi lightly hits his shoulder.
MANVI- it's your fault that you are late. Dii ko jaldi karne ke liye mat kahiye.. she also have lots of work...
SIYA- Manvi ..
Siya stops her when Manvi scolds Bharat taking her side. Bharat gave an apologetic look to Siya who smile at him nodding her head.
URMILA- dii...
Urmila came there taking the medicine box with her.
URMILA- dii.. konsi wali medicine subah ki hai.? Papa ki sabhi medicines kitni confusing he..
Said Urmila in a pout and hands the medicine box to Siya. Everyone laughs at her except Kranti.
SIYA- look at this.. this is the morning one.. and this is evening one.. aur baki sab, if there is any rise in blood pressure, for emergency..
Siya shows the medicine to Urmila who nods in agreement looking at the tablet strips. Siya hands the medicine to Dashrath and forward the glass of water.
SIYA- tum sab bhi dhyan rakhna.. everyone should know about this..
Said Siya to Manvi and Shruti.
SHRUTI- kyu dii.? Aap ho na.. when you are here then why should we remember all this..?
Said Shruti in an obvious tone while Dashrath laughs at her. Kranti looks at them and then interrupts.
KRANTI- you three are bahus too Shruti.. zaruri hai tum logo ko bhi sab kuch pata hona..
Everyone looks at Kranti in an amazement for her statement. Manvi was about to answer her but Siya holds her hand stopping her to speak.
MANDIRA- good morning everyone...
Their conversation was interrupted by Mandira who came there with a smile.
SUMITRA- good morning masi.. ayiye na.. welcome..
Sumitra speaks in between to normalise the things so that Mandira would not interfere in their family talks.
SIYA- have a seat nani .
Mandira gave a sarcastic smile to Siya and sits beside Kranti. Siya indicates Shruti to serve Mandira for which she nods at her.
MANDIRA- what happened.? Kuch bat horahi thi.? Mere aate hi aap sab chup hogaye..?
Asked Mandira having a sip of juice while the girls looks at each other.
LAKSHMAN- aisa kuch nahi hai nani.. by the way, what are you doing here this morning.?
Asked Lakshman in a same sarcastic way while Shatrughan giggles at him.
RAM- Lakshman. .
Ram lightly scolds him for his tone and he quickly apologize to him.
MANDIRA- me to yaha apne baccho se milne aayi thi..and what a lovely time, Ram se bhi mulakat hogayi..
Mandira taunts Ram as she indirectly tags him as an outsider. Kranti holds her head in frustration while everyone looks at Mandira in disbelief.
RAM- papa.. I think we should leave. We are getting late. We will directly see you in the office..
DASHRATH- ok beta..
Ram gets up from his seat while the boys too follows him. Ram looks at Siya and actioned her through his eyes to take care of herself while she smile at him. Lakshman looks at Mandira and then whispered at Urmila.
LAKSHMAN- dhyan rakhna...
URMILA- don't worry..
Urmila assured him and he leaves from there. Dashrath too gets up from his place.
DASHRATH- siya.. send a cup of tea to my room. I will get ready for the office.
Siya nods in agreement while Dashrath leaves from there. Siya indicates the girls to follow her in the kitchen and everyone leaves from there keeping Mandira with Kranti and Sumitra.
SUMITRA- kya milta hai aapko ye sab bolke masi. ?
Sumitra questioned Mandira folding her hands while Mandira stops in between to look at her.
KRANTI- sumitra.. don't talk like this with masi...
SUMITRA- and how did she talked have you noticed it didi.?
Sumitra questioned her back while Kranti kept quiet saying nothing. Sumitra gave a look at Mandira and leaves from there while Mandira smile at Kranti.
MANDIRA- dekha ? Whenever I visit here, is ghar ke logo ke mood hi badal jate hai. No one wants me here..
Said Mandira in a disbelief while Kranti sighed hearing her words
KRANTI- aisa kcuh nahi hai masi. Everyone is busy with their work.
Mandira nods her head in disbelief and continued with her breakfast while Kranti kept looking down, thinking something...
*****
The girls were sitting at the temple area, while Kranti and Mandira were at living room near them.
SIYA- रघुकुल रीति सदा चलि आई। प्रान जाहुँ परु बचनु न जाई॥
Siya was reciting the shlokas from the holy book placed in front of her. While the girls listened to her, busy with their own work. Manvi was preparing the flowers garland while Urmila and Shruti were cleaning the temple area.
SIYA- raghukul me, hamesha se yahi rule chalta aaraha hai. Bhale hi kisike pran chale jaye, par jo vachan diya hai wo kabhi tut nahi sakta.
Siya translate the lines for them. Kranti was too busy listening to her.
MANVI- aur aisa hi ek promise raja Dashrath ne bhi rani kaikayi ko diya tha na. Bechare raja, we couldn't break his promise neither he could send his own son to vanvas...
Siya nods in agreement hearing her words. She continued reading the lines from the book.
SIYA- सुनहु प्रानप्रिय भावत जी का। देहु एक बर भरतहि टीका॥ तापस बेष बिसेषि उदासी। चौदह बरिस रामु बनबासी॥
Siya stops in between and looks upset reading the phrases.
SIYA- Rani kaikaiye ne apne do vachan maang liye, rajkumar Bharat ko Raja aur prabhu Ram ko vanvas...
Kranti bows down hearing from Siya. She relates the ongoing Raghuvanshi's life with the phrases from the book.
URMILA- how a mother could do this .? Just because she was a step mother, she will do injustice with her elder son.?
Urmila asked question while Manvi motioned her eyes to look at Kranti.
SIYA- no Urmila. Think the other way around.. rani kaikaiye ke mann me darr tha, aur wo apne bete ke sath, galat nahi karna chahti thi. She took that step in selfishness...
SHRUTI- but dii...
Shruti interrupts Siya as she was clearing kaikaiye's point of view.
SHRUTI- her thinking was wrong na.. there was a need to make her understand, to clear her misunderstandings...
SIYA- prabhu Ram wahi karna chahte the Shruti. But his way was different. He wanted to follow his mother's words and fulfill his father's promise...
The girls nods their head hearing the actual meaning of Prabhu Ram's duties. Mandira looks at the tensed Kranti and whispered.
MANDIRA- you've to do something like this kranti..
Kranti's thoughts broke and she looks at Mandira.
MANDIRA- apne baccho ka bhala chahti ho na..? So you've to separate them from their support system.. Ram...
Kranti didn't reacted to her words and bows down again continuing her thoughts. Siya closed the book and keep it back into its place.
SIYA- it's 11... chalo.. let's start with the meeting. Shruti, set the laptop..
Siya instructs her sisters and the girls started getting ready for their office work.
SIYA- maa.. nani.. you both want something.?
Siya asked both the ladies before she gets busy in her work. Both of them shook their head denying while Siya smile at them.
URMILA- mahrotra project file ..
Urmila forwards the file to Siya when something stuck in her mind.
SIYA- by the way.. I want to discuss something with you three..
The girls looks at her in confusion.
MANVI- what happened dii.?
SIYA- us din..papa aur chacha-ji ne hume business handle karne ki bat kahi thi na...?
The girls nods their head remembering Janak and Kushal's words. Mandira's eyes glows hearing this from Siya.
SIYA- mene tum logo se bina discuss kiye, un dono ko mana kar diya.. are you all upset with that.?
Mandira looks shocked hearing her. She looks at Kranti who was busy in her own flipping the pages of the magazine.
URMILA- come on dii.. what are you saying.? Aisa kabhi hua hai kya.? That we disagree with you.?
SHRUTI- ha dii.. aapne jo bhi kiya, wo sahi hi tha..we all are happy with what we have.
Siya smile at her sisters. Mandira shook her head in disappointment.
MANVI- dii.. we all are so lucky that you and jiju are always with us. Aur jab aap dono hai to why would we get worried and think about unnecessary things.,?
SIYA- fir bhi.. it was my duty to ask you people..
Siya sounds apologetic while the girls nods their head stopping her to apologise.
URMILA- areh dii.. yeh business wagera na hamare bas ki bat nahi hai.. aap papa and chacha-ji are there na.. please you all handle that.. we don't want any position between you three.. we are happy to serve you..
Said Urmila embracing Siya in a side hug while Siya caresses her face.
MANDIRA- hey bhagwan... Bas.. yahi sunna baki reh gaya tha..
Mandira muttered to herself, gaining kranti's attention.
KRANTI- aap kyu unki bate sun rahi hai masi.? It's all about Rajrishis.. we don't have any right to speak between that..
Said Kranti while Mandira rolls her eyes.
MANDIRA- yes ofcourse.. but we have the right to speak between Raghuvanshis, hai na.? Tumhare bete bhi Ram ke influence me hi hai.. Kahi ye scenario yaha bhi na ho jaye..
Mandira said in a smirk while Kranti looks at the her getting tensed. She sighed and continued looking into the magazine, but her concentration was far away. All she was thinking about is what Mandira is saying...
*****
The boys knock the door of Ram's cabin.
RAM- come in..
Bharat Lakshman and Shatrughan enters hearing Ram.
BHARAT- bhaiya.. aap ne hume bulaya.?
Asked Bharat while Ram smile at him. He closed the file in front of him and moves towards his brothers.
RAM- you all remember.? I have told you all about our Hyderabad project finalization.?
The boys nods hearing him.
LAKSHMAN- ha.. jiske liye Bharat bhaiya is going..
Bharat looks at lakshman and then at Ram looking tensed.
RAM- correct.. so Bharat.. you've to leave in a week for that..
Bharat gets more tensed hearing Ram.
RAM- Shatrughan you've to assist him.. fine with that.?
Asked Ram looking at Shatrughan for which he nods in agreement.
RAM- good.. so bharat... Here are the documents.. go through this.. and clear out your doubts today itself..
Said Ram moving towards the table and taking some files with him. He forward the files to Bharat who didn't accept it.
RAM- bharat...??
BHARAT- bhaiya.. are you sure you are sending me.?
Asked Bharat sounding disappointed. Ram smile at him and forwards the files to Shatrughan who takes it from him. He holds Bharat from his shoulders.
RAM- mujhe pura vishwas hai. That you are going to crack this project deal. Remember what I've said ? That you have that confidence. And you will definitely do it.
Said Ram in a smile while Bharat gave him a light nod.
BHARAT- bhaiya.. promise me that you will always there with me..
RAM- bhale hi me tumhare sath nahi rahunga Bharat, but my best wishes are always there with you..
Bharat finally smile hearing Ram. He embrace his elder brother in a hug while Ram caresses his back.
SHATRUGHAN- bhaiya.. kitne dino ke liye jana hoga ?
Asked Shatrughan while Ram and Bharat release each other.
RAM- I think the work should get finished within 2 weeks.. most probably..
Shatrughan nods hearing him while Bharat looks shocked.
BHARAT- two weeks..??
LAKSHMAN- oooo... To Manvi bhabhi se itne din dur rehne ke liye tayar nahi hai aap bhaiya..?
Lakshman winks at Shatrughan and both of them started laughing at Bharat. Ram nods his head in disbelief. Suddenly a knock at the door interrupts them.
RAM- yes..?
Sumant opens the door
SUMANT- ram.. Dashrath sir is calling you..
Ram nods at him and then looks at his brothers.
RAM- I will come in a while. After which we will have lunch ok.?
The boys nods at him and he leaves from there. Lakshman and Shatrughan moves towards the side table to get ready for their lunch
SHATRUGHAN- aaj to bohot zor se bhuk lagi hai bhaiya...
Said Shatrughan cleaning his hands while Lakshman was clearing the table.
LAKSHMAN- aisa kab hota hai jab tujhe bhuk nahi lagti shatruuu...
Lakshman teases him and hits his head while Shatrughan pouts at him. His eyes falls on Bharat who was standing at the same place looking tensed.
SHATRUGHAN- ohh bharat bhaiya.. what are you busy with..?
Shatrughan gains Bharat's attention and he motioned himself to move towards them..
BHARAT- kuch nahi.. bas aise hi..
Said Bharat having a seat beside Lakshman.
LAKSHMAN- me janta hu.. what are you thinking about..
Said lakshman while Shatrughan looks confused.
LAKSHMAN- bhaiya.. aap yahi soch rahe hai na, that how you are going to live away from the family for these many days..?? Specially from Ram bhaiya...
Bharat lightly nods his head in agreement while Shatrughan smile at him.
BHARAT- you both know that.. jab bhi bhaiya se dur rehna hota hai, I get tensed with the situation..
Lakshman and Shatrughan looks at each other and then at Bharat.
BHARAT- aur is bar to pata nahi kyu.. I am feeling so scared.. mann me kuch khatak raha hai.. it feels that something is going to happen...
SHATRUGHAN- kya bhaiya aap bhi..!! These are your illusions. Sab kuch to itna acha hai..
Shatrughan said in between making Bharat relax while Lakshman agrees with him.
LAKSHMAN- exactly bhaiya.. everything is fine at home. Bhabhi ki tabyet bhi theek hogayi hai. Ghar me puja hogi and jald hi, bhaiya is going to become MD.. so what's there to get worried.?
Asked Lakshman in a casual way while Bharat smile at him lightly.
SHATRUGHAN- aap jab bhi Ram bhaiya se dur hote hai, aisa hi Kuch sochte rehte hai..
Shatrughan nods in disbelief while Lakshman thinks something.
LAKSHMAN- bhaiya.. what I suggest.. take Manvi bhabhi with you... Atleast aapka honeymoon part two hojayega..
Lakshman winks at Shatrughan and both of them high-fived each other. Bharat hits Lakshman's shoulder.
BHARAT- stop teasing me.. warna I'll provoke Urmila against you..
Shatrughan started laughing hearing him while Lakshman looks frightened.
LAKSHMAN- bhaiya.. me to mazak kar raha tha.. I was just joking.. nothing else.. please Urmila ko aisa kuch mat bolna...
Said lakshaman requesting Bharat who started laughing at his reaction.
BHARAT- darpok...
The boys started laughing and teasing each other. Lakshman and Shatrughan sighed looking at Bharat back with the normal behaviour. But what they were not aware of is about the upcoming events in their lives..!!
*****
References:
Shlokas: Sampoorna Ramayana - Ayodhya kand
Anupamaa
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