Sulochana's mind was in turmoil as she entered her room. She didn't know how she was able to stand mute to the torture she just witnessed. Sita was brought to Lanka as a prisoner. Her father-in-law was extolling his virtues to her and was asking her to leave her ascetic husband and accept him. He was telling Ram had nothing and she will be the queen of Lanka. Sita was not listening to anything.

Sulochana had seen her niece's eyes were lifeless still they had fire in them. She looked a delicate flower but beneath that surface Sulochana knew there was a tough woman who had undertaken the difficult journey in forests with her husband. She was dressed in ascetic dress and hair was half untied.

What surprised Sulochana the most was Sita was not wearing any ornaments except the Chudamani in her half-tied hair. She knew a nobody will allow a married woman to remove her ornaments. Even though she was in exile Sulochana was sure the learnt people of Ayodhya would have allowed her to go with minimum ornaments like neck chain, some bangles, her nose ring and her anklets. But nothing was on her. Sulochana didn't knew why that thought worried her.

It was then a maid announced Meghnadh had arrived. Sulochana got up to receive her husband. He was coming back that day from his three months long tantric pooja. Meghnadh entered and Sulochana could see his face was worried.

"Prince of Lanka..." she tried to talk.

"Sulochana please understand you are not responsible for what happened. I had gone to visit Mata Mandodari and she has explained everything to me. We all know how aunt is. What has happened has happened. Now you have to understand one thing. Sita is not your niece. She is the prisoner of Lanka. Its my duty to ensure she doesn't escape this place. My father wants her as his wife and as a dutiful son I have to ensure he gets what he wants," mentioned Meghnadh.

"Prince of Lanka forget the fact Sita is my niece. She is a chaste woman. Do you think she will relent and what if her husband comes to Lanka?" retorted Sulochana.

"Sulo I was thinking some intelligent way in which Narayan will come to Lanka. But I am surprised that his intelligence is not as great as what I thought. My father has taken Sita from the ashram when nobody was there. How will Ram even know what happened to Sita. If at all he knows what happened to her, what can he do. How will he cross the ocean? My father has Pushpak plane. Ram is a mere mortal and has no techniques with him to cross the ocean. Now let us assume he crossed the ocean how will he fight against the great army of Lanka. How will he fight me? He doesn't know Maya nor he has the kind of divine weapons I have. So Sita is stuck here. She will have two options. Either die here or become my father's wife.

Another thing my dear wife. Ram is a prince. He can remarry. Why would he waste his time searching for a woman about whom he has no clue," said Meghnadh with a slight mockery.

"Prince of Lanka are you telling this. You were the one who has mentioned Narayan will find a way to come and now you feel confident Lanka is safe. I am amazed at your over confidence. Believe me dear husband Lord Saturn's words cannot be false. Sita is not good for Lanka. Return her to Ram with respect," cautioned Sulochana.

"Sulo my father is not going to return Sita.I want to tell you just one thing. You had promised me as long as I keep the promise of not remarrying you will be a dutiful wife to me. All your love and divinity will be available for me. I hope seeing your niece you won't forgo that promise as I need your support also if there is a war in the offing."

"Prince of Lanka I come from serpent world where promises are honored. I will honor my promise, Sulochana was breathing heavily as she said this.

"Very good Sulochana, one more thing I wanted to let you know. You are not supposed to visit Sita at any cost. You are the daughter in law of Lanka. Don't forget that," Sulochana nodded and as her husband walked out she sat heavily on the bed with tears rolling down her cheeks.

The questions that ran in her mind were multitude. Why men can do what they wanted and why she was bound to be a wife and daughter in law. Why her husband can be a dutiful son, but she can't be a loving aunt to her niece. Her promise was now going to support adharma. Her chastity was going to sound the death knell for another woman's married life. She thought about her life in serpent world. Her father had taught her about dharma. Then he had mentioned whenever she felt conflict, she should pray to Goddess Parvati. She will show her way.

Sulochana closed her eyes," Oh Goddess I am bound by my promise to support my husband, but please show me a way on how I can support dharma without breaking the promise." As she prayed a calmness filled her mind. She knew what she was supposed to do to help Sita.

She called a maid and ordered her to go and check where Sita was. She also asked her to enquire on who all were kept as Sita's guards by her father-in-law. The maid nodded and went out. It was about an hour when she came back and reported Sita had refused to stay in the palace and she had chosen to stay under the Asoka tree in the garden. Ravan has kept twelve demonesses as her guardians. Six during day time and six during night time. Their main job was to convince Sita to marry Ravan. They also had to ensure Sita didn't escape. The chief demoness of those guardians was Trijatha.

A smile spread on Sulochana's face as she heard the name Trijatha. She had expected it. Trijatha was a very loyal lady to the palace. But Trijatha was also a woman with a golden heart. Though she didn't understand dharma and adharma she knew humanity. Sulochana ordered the maid to let Trijatha know that she wanted to meet her at the earliest. The maid said she will convey the news.

Once the maid went Sulochana looked into the mirror and smiled. "Sita, you need to be courageous and emotionally strong. This battle is going to be long. I know you have faith Ram will come. I also know Ram will come. Till that time to keep your emotions in good spirit I am sending some help to you. Dear child, this is all your aunt can do at this point. Hope when the dust settles you will understand me." A tear trickled down her cheek as the maid announced Trijatha has come and Sulochana turned to meet her.