"Prince of Lanka you still believe Ram won't come to Lanka or you know the truth but you don't want to accept it."

Sulochana was holding a letter and was fuming at her husband. The soldier's wife had written to her mentioning prince of Ayodhya have killed Bali and liberated the wife of Sugreeva. Sugreeva has now become the king of Kishkinda and Bali's son Angad have accepted his uncle's coronation. Sugreeva has promised Ram as soon as the rainy season was over he will send his army in search of Sita.

"Why are you not answering me Prince of Lanka. You had asked how will Ram know your father had abducted Sita. There was a Jatayu. You didn't find it amusing a married woman was not wearing any ornaments. As per this letter Sugreeva has collected ornaments thrown by a lady who was being taken away through sky. Ram has recognized those ornaments as that of his wife Sita."

"What answer do you want Sulochana. I need to seriously believe a bunch of monkeys can cross the ocean and come to Lanka," questioned Meghnadh.

"Prince of Lanka your father couldn't defeat Bali. Still, you are asking can monkeys come to Lanka. Please understand Sugreeva has with him the divine monkey Hanuman," blurted out Sulochana and then realized she had never talked about Hanuman to her husband.

"Magical monkey Hanuman. How do you know him and why is he magical," asked Meghnadh his curiosity aroused?

Sulochana sat on the bed and explained about Hanuman to her husband. She mentioned that soldier's wife had told Hanuman was waiting to meet Ram.

"Sulochana that lady the soldier's wife is a simple woman. Monkeys do lot of tricks and some monkeys are capable of doing extraordinary tricks. This monkey Hanuman would be belonging to that group and seeing his tricks everyone is believing he is magical. Coming to Bali. Ram didn't kill him like a warrior. He sent the arrow from behind."

"Prince of Lanka does father's deed qualify to that of a warrior. Taking another man's wife using trickery and bringing her to Lanka."

Meghnadh looked at his wife who was smiling sarcastically. He took a deep breath. There was no time to argue with her. That day evening his brother Akshaykumar was coming home after a long-extended stay in gurukul. He had to make arrangements to welcome him.

"Sulochana I will think over what you have told. But for the time being can you please forget Sita. Your brother-in-law will be arriving any time soon and once in the palace you very well know he will come to meet his bhabi," told Meghnadh and as he got up Sulochana saw a smile spread on her husband's face.

"Thank you, Prince of Lanka, to consider my view point. Of course, I am going to the royal kitchen to see the food preparations. I have ordered the chief chef all the dishes that are his favorite. Now I need to go and check if everything is being done properly."

Meghnadh nodded to her and walked out. Sulochana too started walking towards the kitchen. Though she wanted to avoid the thoughts of Sita and the news of Bali's death she couldn't avoid it.

An image was playing again and again in her mind. A burning Lanka. She didn't know why she was seeing it. From the time she had received the news of Ram's alliance with Sugreeva her mind has been restless. It was as if she was sensing a great calamity for Lanka and the royal family.

She entered kitchen and started supervising the preparations. After ensuring everything was fine, she was about to turn and go back to her room when a lizard fell into the kheer that was being prepared for Akshaykumar and instantly the cook mentioned things are not looking good for the prince.

Sulochana stood stunned. She knew what the cook told was true. A lizard in the food item was treated a bad omen for the person for whom the food was being prepared. It even signaled death for the concerned person.

Sulochana ordered the kheer to be replaced with ladoo and she asked the cook not to mention the incident to anyone else. Her mother-in-law will be tensed. Sulochana knew Mandodari was already worried a lot. She too had sensed calamity for Lanka. Sulochana didn't wanted to add more troubles to her.

But as she came out of the kitchen her mind was in turmoil. She wanted to speak to someone. Then she realized there was no one in Lanka to whom she could share her burden. Even uncle Vibhishan was worried. She decided to call her father.

Sulochana went to the open space in the royal garden and began to meditate.

Mahadev looked at Vasuki who seemed restless and asked what the issue was. Vasuki replied his daughter was calling out to him and he needed to go. Mahadev gave permission to Vasuki to meet his daughter. However, Mahadev cautioned he should not give any indication of who Ram was to his daughter.

Vasuki replied he knows the rules of heaven and he would never divulge any unwanted information to his daughter.

"Sulochana," hearing the soft and gentle voice of her father Sulochana opened her eyes.

"Father what kind of test I have been put into. One of my nieces is a prisoner in this golden Lanka and my heart says I will have to stand against my other niece. Father I have never met Sita and Urmila. I have longed to meet them. Why I have been given this fate. Is there any way I can come out of it?"

Vasuki gently caressed Sulochana's hair. "Daughter you know what is right and what is wrong. You also know what your duty is. I know its hard for you, my child. However, your father can only tell you do your duty and leave rest to Mahadev. Some tests are harder but you also need to understand such hard tests are given to only those who are capable of taking it. So child have strength and pray daily."

Sulochana thanked her father for coming. She also told his words have motivated her and will help her to move forward in these tough times. Vasuki blessed his daughter. As her father disappeared Sulochana stood in the royal garden for some time. She had to be strong, there was no other way. It also meant her instinct that Ram will come is going to happen.