What would happen next was something that Lakshman never bothered to think about while he lived in the present. Perhaps that was one of his traits that his wife disliked about him and tried to talk him out of. But then he had never paid heed to her words and now when he thought of what had transpired sometime ago, he couldn't help but shudder. He had cut off a woman's nose. She was a demon but nevertheless it was a woman. He had his face buried in his hands as he thoughts of his deed. His sister-in-law was angry at first at his lack of patience but his brother had understood where his stance came from and he had taken Sister Sita aside and gently chided her that Lakshman had done that in order to protect her. He leaned back against the tree bark and imagined what his Mila would have thought about his doings. He had a gnawing pain in his chest. He felt something wrong. His heart wasn't at peace. He felt as if something wrong was going to happen. He took out the clay figure of his wife and brought it close to where his heart resided. It gave him peace. It gave him a sense of contentment, like as if his Mila was there with him. He murmured "One more year" and a smile spread across his face.

Things at Ayodhya were faring better, with time Urmila had started splitting her time between helping Shatrughan with the administration of the state, royal duties and helping out the children along with Mandavi. Mandavi had started teaching the girls horse-riding and Urmila had started training them in sword-fighting. She was under the impression that girls needed to learn the basics of defense so that no matter the situation, the tactics would come in handy. She was in the middle of a painting at the moment, in her chambers. She was painting a portrait of her wedding.. Again... She never grew tired of painting the most memorable day of her life. She was interrupted by a furry of movement in her chambers. It was Queen Sumitra standing at the entrance of her chambers with a small smile on her face. The youngest queen had grown in her age and regality but her wisdom had not faded. She still oozed out the glow of wisdom and maturity as she had thirteen years ago. Sumitra looked at her daughter-in-law, Urmila. She had grown not only to love but also respect her determination and strength. She looked at the portrait Urmila was painting and mused "Painting the same again ?" Urmila smiled "There are few moments Mother that one cannot forget, no matter how old they might be. This happens to be one of them." She pointed towards one of the portraits and said "Look Mother.. Brother Ram and Sita look so happy, don't they ?" Sumitra traced her finger through the painted portrait and smiled with tears in her eyes "Yes they do, my dear Urmila. They do." She traced her fingers to the portrait next to it and exclaimed "And so do they !!!" Urmila's cheeks painted a pink hue at the mention of the portrait of her and Lakshman. Sumitra's lips twisted into a melancholic smile "You miss him, don't you ?" Urmila looked up at her mother-in-law who had hit the nail straight at the point. She really did miss Lakshman.. Even though there were only few months left for their vanvaas to end, that was not comforting enough a thought. She nodded slowly "I do Mother. I would not lie to you.. I do miss Soumitra. But he is with Brother Ram and Sita. If I know Brother Ram, he will be there for my Soumitra like a father would for his son.. And Sita.. Let me not get started on her, Mother. She has always been protective over us sisters.. Now if Soumitra is like a son for Brother Ram then I will bet my jewels that Sita would be fawning over Soumitra like a mother would." Sumitra let out a small laugh at that "Well.. Good Luck to Sita for handling Lakshman.. That boy's temper flares at the drop of a pin." Urmila let out a laugh at that. She could well imagine her dear husband's temper any every small thing. She wondered "Was he so temperamental from when he was a baby, Mother ?" Sumitra mused "Ofcourse.. He would be controlled only by Ram. Else he would be ready to set the whole palace on fire. Even Maharaj would understand not to go near him when he was in one of his moods." At the mention of the king, Sumitra's smile slipped from her face. Urmila noticed this "Mother.. I am sure Father is there always there... In our hearts.. And watching over us from his heavenly abode." The youngest queen gave her a weak smile. They were interrupted by an urgent knock on the door... Sumitra and Urmila turned to look at the intruder.. Shrutikeerti stood there with an ashen face. A sense of dread immediately filled Urmila.. Her heart constricted with something painful and it weighed down heavily. Sumitra asked "Shrutikeerti.. What happened dear ? Why do you look so stricken ?" Shrutikeerti got the words out of her lips "Brother Bharat is here.. And he brings news.. But I don't think it is good." The three ladies rushed out of the chambers to the mail hall where Shatrughan had assembled with Kaushalya and Kaikeyi. Mandavi was already present, rooted to the spot at the sight of her husband.

Kaushalya spoke out "What is it Bharat ? Tell us.. All of us have assembled.. Do tell us now." Bharat fidgeted with his hands. He was sweaty and his palms were sweaty too. Mandavi voiced out "What is it that you bring, Bharat ? I can see that you have something grave to tell us. Please do let us know ? Are you fine ?" Bhrat loooked up at his wife's concern-filled eyes "I am fine Mandavi.. I have some news that is not good.. Sister Sita has been kidnapped." There was silence for a minute or two. No one spoke a word. A strangled cry broke out from Kaushalya and she was taken into Kaikeyi's strong arms. The oldest queen was beyond herself at the news. Mandavi fell down to the ground, tears falling down her face. Shrutikeerti and Shatrughan weren't faring better. Sumitra looked at Urmila who had a pained expression on her face "Brother Bharat..." Bharat looked at her.. Urmila continued "How is it possible that Sita got kidnapped when Soumitra was present !! He would never let any harm befall her." Bharat averted his eyes away from Urmila. Urmila carefully asked "Is there something that is bothering you, Brother ? Something that you do not want to tell us ?" Bharat sighed as he looked at Urmila "Urmila.. There had been a fight in the forest.." He proceeded to tell the audience about Surphanaka and how she had tried to harm Sita and what Lakshman had done. Urmila felt a sense of pride at her husband, but at the same time she was irritated at his lack of patience. Bharat continued "Surphanaka happens to be the sister of Lankapati Raavan." Urmila gasped.. She knew Lankapati Raavan. He was one of the unruly suitors who had attended her sister's swayamvar and got himself insulted. Mandavi and Shrutikeerti had unreadale expressions on their face too. Bharat continued "One of the demons Mareech had disguised himself as a deer to lure Brother Ram into the forest. Sister Sita had compelled Lakshman to go in search of his brother." Urmila questioned "Soumitra would never leave Sita all alone.. The forest is a very dangerous place.." Bharat looked at Urmila "I do understand Urmila. That is why she had compelled Lakshman to go in search of Brother Ram. She had accused him of ungodly thoughts." Urmila felt a sudden course of anger surge through her at her sister's naivety. She had accused her husband of ungodly thoughts. She could only imagine the pain her husband would have gone through at that point of time. She registered Bharat's next words "She has been kidnapped by Lankapati Raavan."

At Panchavati, near the cottage Ram and Lakshman were tending to a dying Jatayu. Lakshman's tears wouldn't stop. He blamed himself for his Sister Sita's kidnapping. He blamed himself for not being able to protect his sister. He could not look at his brother. He could not meet his eyes. As Jatayu took his last breath, Lakshman collapsed on to the ground crying out in pain and distress "It is all my fault. I couldn't protect my Sister Sita... Ram took him into his comforting embrace "No Lakshman.. It is not.. This was a very well executed plan. Now let us not cry here for nothing will happen. Let us move forward Lakshman. We will get an idea.. We will find Sita, Lakshman." The brothers set out on the journey towards Sita with determination on their faces. They set out towards their goal, which would be to pass through Sabari and through Kishkintha.

Note : Apologies for the small chapter. I shall try to update a bigger chapter next time.