Sunaina looked at her daughters who were sleeping. Her eldest three-year-old Sita had as usual kept a protective hand over her two-year old kid sister Urmila. Sita was ever gentle and serene compared to Urmila who was naughty from day one and loved to trouble her sister whenever she got a chance. People of Mithila believed Sita was incarnation of Mahalakshmi. But for Sunaina she was the girl who brought with her the bliss of motherhood to both her and her brother in law's wife Chandrabhaga.

Within a month of Janaka getting Sita from Mother Earth Chandrabhaga had conceived and in another two months she herself had good news. Mandavi and Urmila were born months apart and now Chandrabhaga had given birth to another daughter Shruthakirti. The palace of Mithila which was empty for twelve years now reverberated with the sounds of the four girls.

Hearing a soft cry Sunaina's attention came back to her sleeping girls. Urmila had stirred in sleep but there was no need for Sunaina to take any action. Sita had already pulled her sister closer and the girl had stopped crying. Sunaina smiled seeing the affection between the girls even at that tender age and thought about her sister Sulochana.

She and Sulochana were twins born from the tears of Serpent king Vasuki because Maa Parvati had tied him a bit around Mahadev's neck. When the girls were born both Vasuki and Maa Parvati had fought for their custody and Mahadev had given Sulochana to Vasuki and Sunaina to Parvati. Devi Narmada prayed to Parvati for a daughter and Parvati was benevolent on Narmada and gave Sunaina to her for upbringing. Sunaina had heard this story multiple times from her foster mother Narmada and had always longed to meet Sulochana. But it had never happened.

Now seeing her daughters, she missed her sister. How she wished she too could spend her childhood with her twin sister but alas it was not to be. The latest news she had of Sulochana was that she was married to the Prince of Lanka. Sunaina shuddered at the word Lanka. She was not sure how someone could send their daughter to Lanka. Vasuki was all knowing and as far as she knows Sulochana was his darling and still he sent her to Lanka the land of evil.

Once again, she looked at her daughters. Would she want either Sita or Urmila to be connected to Lanka in any way? The answer was no. She would want her daughters to be away from Lanka as much as possible.

Sita and Urmila were the princesses of Mithila and in time she hoped they will be married to princes from other suitable lands and will lead a happy married life having nothing to do with Lanka.

But then wont she want to meet her sister. If she can't wont, she prefers at least her daughters met her aunt. The answer was yes to both her questions. She wanted her daughters to know about Sulochana and if possible, meet her mostly post their marriage as unmarried girls were often target of Ravan the king of Lanka. She hoped Ravan wont mind his daughter in law meeting her nieces along with their life partners.

A positive alliance with Lanka was welcome for all kingdoms so Sunaina was sure whichever kingdom her daughters go post their wedding will be happy knowing the relation they have with Lanka. Sunaina was sure even Sulochana will be happy to see her nieces.

"Sunaina," came in King Janak and Sunaina got up from the bed to welcome her husband. Janak sat on the side of the bed and saw his sleeping daughters and smiled.

"Sunaina again missing your sister Sulochana," asked King Janak and Sunaina was surprised how well her husband had understood her thoughts.

"King of Mithila how do you manage to gauge my thoughts perfectly," replied Sunaina with a smile on her face.

"Sunaina from the time Urmila is born and seeing the bond of sisters I am seeing you are missing your sister a lot. Now with the news that Sulochana is the daughter in law of Lanka you will be more anxious and worried. So, I thought I will come and tell you something which can allay your fears to some extent," smiled Janak as Sunaina sat on the bed.

"Sunaina unlike his father Ravan I have heard that Meghnadh is a disciplined man. He is a dutiful son but he is not a womanizer. He respects his mother Mondadori and all his step mothers. He has conquered Indra the king of Gods and has been named Indrajith also, however the information is that he has not misbehaved with any of the women in Devaloka not even to the celestial beauties Urvasi, Rambha, Menaka and Thilothama.

So, in all probability Meghnadh will love and respect your sister Sulochana and she will be safe in Lanka as the prince's wife. Vasuki is serpent king; he wouldn't have just like that given Sulochana's hand to Meghnadh. So, don't worry too much about Sulochana. She will be having a happy married life with Meghnadh. Spend your time and energy on our little ones Sita and Urmila," mentioned Janak as he gently caressed the sleeping girl's hairs.

"King of Mithila. I have to admit you have a way with words. You have put my heart at rest by talking about the virtues of Prince of Lanka and I will also be happy if Sulochana has got a loving partner," told Sunaina as she saw Urmila stirring again and got ready to feed her.