Sita stepped out of the tidy cottage, her heart constricted with worry. She glanced at the sun, and knew it was late into the afternoon. Lakshman had gone to gather firewood nearly two hours ago. What was taking him so long? Had demons attacked him? Was he now injured and in need of help?
Sita glanced at her husband, who was sitting peacefully playing with the pigeons that lolled nearby.
How could he be so calm?' she thought with slight exasperation, walking up to him with a frown.
Ram glanced at Sita and smirked slightly, deducing her train of thought.
"How are you, my love?" he asked in an innocent tone.
"I am perfectly fine, Raghunath, but it is afternoon already," was Sita's miffed response.
"As I can see," Ram said calmly. "It is quite a lovely afternoon too."
"Saumitra hasn't returned yet," Sita pointed out, hands on her hips.
Ram chuckled and let the pigeon in his hand fly away. "Sitey, relax my love! Lakshman is no child and he knows the forests quite well. He is probably chilling somewhere without us oldies constantly hovering around him."
"Chilling? Lakshman?" Sita asked her husband with raised brows. "When have you ever known Lakshman to "chill", my lord? No, something must surely have happened to him!"
Just then, Ram saw Lakshman strolling down the lane leading up to the cottage, and he resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "Lo and behold! Your beloved son is coming just now."
Sita breathed a sigh of relief to see that Lakshman was seemingly fine and uninjured. But then she turned her gaze back to her Lord, a pout on her lips.
"Do not tease me, Raghunath. You do not know how I worry for Lakshman. When he is not near, when he is not in my sight, I get anxious for his safety. I feel so sure something must have happened to him, and I cannot rest until I know he is safe and sound."
"Your worry does your credit, priye," Ram looked at Sita with love, "However, Lakshman is a grown man with responsibilities. You cannot baby him."
Sita's mouth settled into an amused smile. "I know you are right, Raghunath. But how can I help it? I am a mother after all, and a mother never stops worrying. You do not understand a mother's heart, my lord."
"Perhaps not, but I do understand a father's concern, and I worry for Lakshman myself. However, I am also confident in my brother's abilities, and I know no harm can ever befall him."
Just then, Lakshman reached the cottage and placed the firewood inside the house. Then, he returned to his brother and sister-in-law and gave them a smile.
"What were you two talking about?"
"You," Ram replied with a chuckle, "Your Bhabhi was frantic with worry because you were late."
"I apologize, Bhabhi, but I ran into Jatayu on the way and he needed help with his nest. It got destroyed due to the heavy rains yesterday, and I helped him rebuild it."
"There is no need to apologize, Saumitra. You are home safe and sound, and that is all that matters," Sita told him affectionately. "You must be hungry, let me prepare some food for you."
Ram turned to Lakshman with pride and gave him a tight hug. "I am so proud of you for helping our dear Jatayu, Lakhan. You have a heart of gold."
Lakshman returned the hug with a pleased smile, and Sita glanced at her two most favorite men in the world with happiness and peace. She wished in her heart that this tranquility would last forever.