Raghili- A Ramayana Fiction

Chapter 10 - Mithila?

The two queens of Ayodhya were pacing towards King's chamber. They both entered the chamber.

"Maharaj is it true? Our sons are comming home? " beamed Kaushalya

"Yes Kaushalya. Your sons are coming home. I just received a letter from Guru Vashisht saying that our sons are doing great and are learning well. Seeing their progress he is willing to send them for a vacation for an entire month. "beamed Dashrath

Both the queens looked at each other happily and hugged.
"Our sons are coming home didi. After two years they are comming home" beamed Sumitra

"Yes Sumitra. They must have changed a lot. We have a lot to do. We have to welcome our sons. We have a lot of preparations to do" said an equally excited Kaushalya

"Kaushalya take a breath. You have an entire week to prepare calm your excitement " said Dashrath while both Dashrath and Sumitra giggled seeing Kaushalya's excitement.

Suddenly Sumitra stopped giggling as if thinking something.

"Maharaj you won't understand a mother's heart. You want to make fun of me you surely can but we are busy my sons are arriving after 2 years i have a lot to prepare so excuse us please. Come Sumitra. " said an irritated Kaushalya while Dashrath was still laughing.

But Sumitra was in her thoughts. She didn't realise Kaushalya calling her.

"Sumitraaa!!" exclaimed Kaushalya

Sumitra broke out of her thoughts

"hmm"

"Where are you lost? What are you thinking? " asked Dashrath

"Isn't Kaikeyi didi scheduled to leave for Kakeya next week." replied Sumitra

"Yes that's right but what is worrying....." before Kaushalya could complete realisation dawned upon her and Dashrath

"but the kids are coming back" stated Dashrath

"Exactly!! Didi will again cancel her plans for Kakeya. She has not visited Kakeya since a very long time and King Ashwapati has sent a lot of invitations plus Maharaj you have given a word that didi will visit them next week. You cannot go back on your word neither we can force her to go when the kids are comming back after two years. She misses them a lot. We all do." stated Sumitra

The joyful atmosphere of the room turned tensed within seconds.

"Sumitra is right. We have to do something. Kaikeyi has to go to Kakeya at any cost. " pointed Dashrath.

"Maharaj can we postpone their visit. Like call them next month or so. " asked Kaushalya with a very heavy heart.

"No Kaushalya. You know once the kids leave for gurukul they are not allowed to come home. It is just because of my fe.......... um"

Dashrath immediately bit his tongue he was about to reveal the curse but he didn't know that Sumitra already knew about it and she saw his helplessness from the corner of her eye while sighing in relief that he didn't reveal anything to Kaushalya.

"i mean it is only because of my sons calibre that he is sending them this month because they have already done what others will be taught. I cannot tell him to send them later"
said Dashrath with guilt of keeping a secret from his family. Though this was not completely false the four of them were indeed fast learners that is why they are getting such a long break.

"Maharaj is right didi. We cannot do this. I think we have to call of their plan this time we have to wait for more years to see our sons. " said Sumitra tears forming her eyes.