‘I insist,’ said Sita, as she sat down herself.
Ram sat on a chair facing Sita. A few seconds of awkward silence passed. Then Sita spoke up, ‘I believe you were tricked into coming here.’
Ram did not say anything, but his eyes gave the answer away.
‘Then why haven’t you left?’
‘Because it would be against the law.’
So, he has decided to stay for the swayamvar. Lord Rudra and Lord Parshu Ram be praised.
‘And is it the law that will make you participate in the swayamvar day after tomorrow?’ asked Sita.
Ram chose silence again. But Sita could tell that there was something on his mind.
‘You are Ayodhya, the overlord of Sapt Sindhu. I am only Mithila, a small kingdom with little power. What purpose can possibly be served by this alliance?’
‘Marriage has a higher purpose; it can be more than just a political alliance.’
Sita smiled. ‘But the world seems to believe that royal marriages are meant only for political gain. What other purpose do you think they can serve?’
Ram didn’t answer. He seemed to be lost in another world. His eyes had taken on a dreamy look.
I don’t think he’s listening to me.
Sita saw Ram’s eyes scanning her face. Her hair. Her neck. She saw him smile. Ruefully. His face seemed to …
Is he blushing? What is going on? I was told that Ram was only interested in the affairs of the state.
‘Prince Ram?’ asked Sita loudly.
‘Excuse me?’ asked Ram. His attention returned to what she was saying.
‘I asked, if marriage is not a political alliance, then what is it?’
‘Well, to begin with, it is not a necessity; there should be no compulsion to get married. There’s nothing worse than being married to the wrong person. You should only get married if you find someone you admire, who will help you understand and fulfil your life’s purpose. And you, in turn, can help her fulfil her life’s purpose. If you’re able to find that one person, then marry her.’
Sita raised her eyebrows. ‘Are you advocating just one wife? Not many? Most people think differently.’
‘Even if all people think polygamy is right, it doesn’t make it so.’
‘But most men take many wives; especially the nobility.’
‘I won’t. You insult your wife by taking another.’
Sita raised her chin in contemplation. Her eyes softened. Admiringly. Wow … This man is special.
A charged silence filled the room. As Sita gazed at him, her expression changed with sudden recognition.
‘Wasn’t it you at the marketplace the other day?’ she asked.
‘Yes.’
Sita tried to remember the details. Yes. Lakshman had been there too. Next to him. The giant who stood out. They were amongst the crowd on the other side. The onlookers. Not a part of the well-heeled mob that had wanted to lynch the poor boy-thief. I saw them as I dragged the boy away, after thrashing Vijay. And then, she held her breath as she remembered another detail. Hang on … Ram was … bowing his head to me … But why? Or am I remembering incorrectly?
‘Why didn’t you step in to help me?’ asked Sita.
‘You had the situation under control.’
Sita smiled slightly. He is getting better with every moment …
It was Ram’s turn to ask questions. ‘What is Raavan doing here?’
‘I don’t know. But it makes the swayamvar more personal for me.’
Ram’s muscles tightened. He was shocked. But his expression remained impassive. ‘Has he come to participate in your swayamvar?’
‘So I have been told.’
‘And?’
‘And, I have come here.’ Sita kept the next sentence confined to her mind. I have come for you.
Ram waited for her to continue.
‘How good are you with a bow and arrow?’ asked Sita.
Ram allowed himself a faint smile.
Sita raised her eyebrows. ‘That good?’
She arose from her chair. As did Ram. The prime minister of Mithila folded her hands into a Namaste. ‘May Lord Rudra continue to bless you, prince.’
Ram returned Sita’s Namaste. ‘And may He bless you, princess.’
An idea struck Sita. ‘Can I meet with your brother and you in the private royal garden tomorrow?’
Ram’s eyes had glazed over once again. He was staring at Sita’s hands in almost loving detail. Only the Almighty or Ram himself knew the thoughts that were running through his head. For probably the first time in her life, Sita felt self-conscious. She looked at her battle-scarred hands. The scar on her left hand was particularly prominent. Her hands weren’t, in her own opinion, particularly pretty.
‘Prince Ram,’ said Sita, ‘I asked—’
‘I’m sorry, can you repeat that?’ asked Ram, bringing his attention back to the present.
‘Can I meet with you and your brother in the private royal garden tomorrow?’
‘Yes, of course.’
‘Good,’ said Sita, as she turned to leave. She stopped as she remembered something. She reached into the pouch tied to her waistband and pulled out a red thread. ‘It would be nice if you could wear this. It’s for good luck. It is a representation of the blessings of the Kanyakumari. And I would like you to …’
Sita stopped speaking as she realised that Ram’s attention had wandered again. He was staring at the red thread and mouthing a couplet. One that was normally a part of a wedding hymn.
Sita could lip-read the words that Ram was mouthing silently, for she knew the hymn well.
Maangalyatantunaanena bhava jeevanahetuh may. A line from old Sanskrit, it translated into: With this holy thread that I offer you, please become the purpose of my life …
She tried hard to suppress a giggle.
‘Prince Ram …’ said Sita, loudly.
Ram suddenly straightened as the wedding hymn playing in his mind went silent. ‘I’m sorry. What?’
Sita smiled politely, ‘I was saying …’ She stopped suddenly. ‘Never mind. I’ll leave the thread here. Please wear it if it pleases you.’
Placing the thread on the table, Sita began to climb the stairs. As she reached the door, she turned around for a last look. Ram was holding the thread in the palm of his right hand. Gazing at it reverentially. As if it was the most sacred thing in the world.
Sita smiled once again. This is completely unexpected …
Chapter 20
Sita sat alone in her private chamber. Astonished. Pleasantly surprised.
Samichi had briefed her on the conversation between Lakshman and Urmila. Lakshman was clearly besotted with her sister. He was also, clearly, very proud of his elder brother. He simply wouldn’t stop talking about Ram. Lakshman had told the duo about Ram’s attitude towards marriage. It seemed that Ram did not want to marry an ordinary woman. He wanted a woman, in front of whom he would be compelled to bow his head in admiration.