Lakshman's Rekha- An OS- updates on pg 3 & 4 (Page 3)

Parts 1 to 6 here

PART 7 here

PART 8

Holding Urmilla in his hands, as she leaned her head on his chest, Lakshaman was even more confused. Here was a woman who was willing to surrender completely to him. 

And now, how could he just tell her that should a situation ever arise for him to choose between her and  Rama, he, Lakshmana, would unhesitatingly choose his brother? Will she not be upset? Yet, for him, life without brother Rama was unimaginable.

He stood there, unmoving, feeling the weight of her head on his heart. Her earring was pricking him on his chest, but he did not move. After all, it was nothing compared to the pain he was going to give her. At length, Urmilla disengaged herself from his clasp and looking up into his eyes asked "You love your  eldest brother don't you?

" 'Devoted' would be a better word" answered Lakshmana. "People say I am his shadow"

Urmilla continued " So much so that when walking together, your eyes are more on his feet than your own."

"Out of habit, I suppose...I am content to follow in his footsteps. But how do you know?"

"When the two of you, along with Rishi Vishwamitra, were walking down the Royal Avenue in  Mithila. The rishi was pointing out interesting things to both of you, but apart from occasional glances here and there, your eyes never left your brother's feet. You were walking exactly half- a - foot behind your brother, and you were careful not to overstep him, even accidentally.

"You were watching me?" Lakshamana asked, astonished

"Well, all of us had congregated in one of the balconies overlooking the avenue to get a better view of the princes from Ayodhya".  Urmilla answered, matter-of-factly.

She continued " And in the pushpa vatika when your brother was plucking the flowers..."

"Was I still half- a- foot behind him?"

"No" answered Urmilla calmly "you had stepped on to his side and you were anxiously looking at his hands lest he prick himself on an unwary thorn."

"You were observing me all that while?" Lakshmana was dumbfounded.

"Let's put it this way... Your brother was gazing at my sister, you were watching your brother and I was looking at you. We had also come to pluck flowers, remember?"

Urmilla continued "And at night, you cannot sleep until you press your brother's legs, despite his remonstrations."

"How do you know this?" asked Lakshmana, his eyes narrowing in suscpicion

"Remember the maid who kept popping in and out of your room on the first night of your stay in Mithila?"

Lakshmana replied "Yeah...vaguely..."

"That was me" replied Urmilla calmly

PART 9

Lakshmana jumped out of his skin "That was you? Some nerve you have. Why were you spying on us, that too in our room?

"Your room? May I remind you it was my father's palace." retorted Urmilla ingnantly. "And who was spying? In Ayodhya, it may be called spying, but in Miltila, we call it Athithi Satkar" answered Urmilla self righteously.

"Anyway why are you telling me all this now?" asked Lakshmana             

Urmilla's voice softened as she looked down, "Lord, I know that service to your brother is the only aim in your life. Isn't it so?"

Lakshmana nodded.

Urmilla placed her hand on his shoulder and looked up into his eyes "Let it continue to remain so. I hereby promise you..."

"Wait Urmilla..." Lakshmana almost shouted in panic. "Do not take a pledge so easily. Honoring a pledge is paramount for us Raghuvanshis. We will give up our lives but will not renege from a promise we have given. Now that you too are a part of this family...you will also have to uphold the tradition."

Urmilla continued as if Lakshmana had not even spoken. "I, Urmilla, daughter of King Janaka, promise you, my Lord, that I will not prevent you from doing your duty whenever you want to. I will not exercise my rights as your wife to hold you back from following your dharma. I will unhesitatingly accept every decision of yours."

There was a slight quaver in her voice as she continued, still looking down "And, Lord, if ever the duties of a younger brother beckon you, you will not find Urmilla in your way."

Lakshmana held his breath.

Urmilla knelt down and placing her hands on his feet said  "This..Lord... is a Raghuvanshi's promise..."

Lakshmana bent down and lifted her and holding her chin made her look up. Her eyes reflected the strength of her character.

Hugging her close, he whispered "Truly Urmilla, you are a worthy daughter of King Janaka. I am indebted to you eternally"

PART 10    here