Shurpanakha sniggered. ‘So the great descendant of Raghu lets his wife make decisions for him, is it?’
Vibhishan touched Shurpanakha’s hand lightly and she fell silent. ‘Queen Sita,’ said Vibhishan, ‘you will notice that only the handles have come here. The axe-head is in Lanka. We are truly like you. Please help us.’
Shurpanakha turned to Jatayu. It had not escaped her notice that, as usual, every man was gaping intently at her; every man, that is, except Ram and Lakshman. ‘Great Malayaputra, don’t you think it is in your interest to give us refuge? We could tell you more about Lanka than you already know. There will be more gold in it for you.’
Jatayu stiffened. ‘We are the followers of Lord Parshu Ram! We are not interested in gold.’
‘Right …’ said Shurpanakha, sarcastically.
Vibhishan appealed to Lakshman. ‘Wise Lakshman, please convince your brother. I’m sure you will agree with me when I say that we can be of use to you in your fight when you get back.’
‘I could agree with you, Prince of Lanka,’ said Lakshman, smiling, ‘but then we would both be wrong.’
Vibhishan looked down and sighed.
‘Prince Vibhishan,’ said Ram, ‘I am truly sorry but—’
Vibhishan interrupted Ram. ‘Son of Dashrath, remember the battle of Mithila. My brother Raavan is your enemy. He is my enemy as well. Shouldn’t that make you my friend?’
Ram kept quiet.
‘Great King, we have put our lives at risk by escaping from Lanka. Can’t you let us be your guests for a while? We will leave in a few days. Remember what the Taittiriya Upanishad says: “Athithi Devo Bhava”. Even the many Smritis say that the strong should protect the weak. All we are asking for is shelter for a few days. Please.’
Sita looked at Ram. And sighed. A law had been invoked. She knew what was going to happen next. She knew Ram would not turn them away now.
‘Just a few days,’ pleaded Vibhishan. ‘Please.’
Ram touched Vibhishan’s shoulder. ‘You can stay here for a few days; rest for a while, and then continue on your journey.’
Vibhishan folded his hands together into a Namaste and said, ‘Glory to the great clan of Raghu.’
Chapter 31
‘There is no salt in this food,’ complained Shurpanakha.
It was the first hour of the fourth prahar and those in the Panchavati camp had settled down for their evening meal. It had been Sita’s turn to cook. While Ram, Lakshman, and the rest were enjoying the food, Shurpanakha had found much to complain about. The lack of salt was just the latest in a litany of complaints.
‘Because there is no salt in Panchavati, princess,’ said Sita, trying very hard to be patient. ‘We make do with what we have. This is not a palace. You can choose to stay hungry, if the food is not to your liking.’
‘This food is worthy of dogs!’ muttered Shurpanakha in disgust, as she threw the morsel of food she had in her hand back on the plate.
‘Then it should be just right for you,’ said Lakshman.
Everyone burst out laughing. Even Vibhishan. But Ram was not amused. He looked at Lakshman sternly. Lakshman looked at his brother in defiance, then shook his head and went back to eating.
Shurpanakha pushed her plate away and stormed out.
‘Shurpa …’ said Vibhishan, as if in entreaty. Then he too got up and ran after his sister.
Ram looked at Sita. She shrugged her shoulders and continued eating.
An hour later, Sita and Ram were in their hut. By themselves.
While no Lankan except Shurpanakha had been troublesome, Lakshman and Jatayu remained suspicious of them. They had disarmed the visitors and locked their weapons in the camp armoury. They also maintained a strict and staggered twenty-four-hour vigil, keeping a constant watch on the guests. It was Jatayu’s and Makrant’s turn to stay up all night and keep guard.
‘That spoilt princess fancies you,’ said Sita.
Ram shook his head, his eyes clearly conveying he thought this silly. ‘How can she, Sita? She knows I’m married. Why should she find me attractive?’
Sita lay down next to her husband on the bed of hay. ‘You should know that you are more attractive than you realise.’
Ram laughed. ‘Nonsense.’
Sita laughed as well and put her arms around him. ‘But you are mine. Only mine.’
‘Yes, My Lady,’ said Ram, smiling and putting his arms around his wife.
They kissed each other, languid and slow. The forest was gradually falling silent, as though settling in for the night.
The guests had been in Panchavati with the forest-dwellers for a week now.
Lakshman and Jatayu had insisted on continuing the staggered vigil, keeping a constant watch on the guests.
Vibhishan had announced that they would be leaving in a few hours. But Shurpanakha had insisted that she had to wash her hair before leaving. She had also demanded that Sita accompany her. To help her with her hair.
Sita had no interest in going with Shurpanakha. But she wanted to get rid of the spoilt Lankan princess as soon as possible. This had encouraged her to say yes.
Shurpanakha had insisted on taking the boat and going a long way downriver.
‘Don’t think I’m not aware that your disgusting camp-followers have been taking the opportunity to spy on me at my bath time!’ Shurpanakha said with pretended outrage.
Sita grimaced and took a deep breath, not saying anything.
‘Not your goody-goody husband, of course,’ said Shurpanakha, coquettishly. ‘He has eyes only for you.’
Sita, still silent, got into the boat, with Shurpanakha climbing in daintily. Sita waited for Shurpanakha to pick up one of the oars. But she just sat there, admiring her nails. Grunting angrily, Sita picked up both the oars and started rowing. It took a long time. Sita was irritated and tired before Shurpanakha directed her into a small hidden lagoon by the river, where she wanted to bathe.
‘Go ahead,’ said Sita. As she turned around and waited.
Shurpanakha disrobed slowly, put all her clothes into the cloth bag she had carried and dived into the water. Sita settled back, her head on the stern thwart, her body stretched out on the bottom boards, and waited. Feeling uncomfortable after some time, Sita pulled up some jute sacks, bundled them together into a pillow on the plank and rested her head again. The lazy daylight filtering through the dense foliage was calming her down slowly, lulling her to sleep.
She lost track of time as she fell into a short nap. A loud bird call woke her up.
She heard Shurpanakha frolicking in the water. She waited for what she thought was a reasonable time. Finally, Sita edged up on her elbows. ‘Are you done? Do you want your hair untangled and tied?’
Shurpanakha stopped swimming for a bit and faced Sita with a look of utter contempt and disgust. ‘I’m not letting you touch my hair!’