So, where were we?? Where were we??

Yes!!

"Do you think I would fall for that little charade of yours ?" he asked under his breath.

Urmila looked stunned, pausing momentarily!!!

"We could never hate each other. And hate certainly would not have been able to sustain us for the separation of the next fourteen years. It's our love which will , Mila", Lakshman continued in a whisper."And it's the memory of our full, sustained love which will never make us feel alone or lonely. You'll be with me always as I shall be with u , my mila, my Urmila, my eternal enchantress, my woman of passion n strength.."

She smiled slowly, the love emanating from every pore of her body. And her smile widened at his irreverence; trust him to snatch a conversation with her during solemn aarti.

"And yes this smile, that lovely smile of urs which makes the world-and me-fall in love with you each time. I want this image of your smiling face forever, but not without your temper!"he added with a wry smile. "Smile and never shed a tear of grief-promise me that."

  Teri muskurahatein hain taaqat meri
Mujhko inhi se ummeed mili
Chaahe kare koi sitam ye jahaan
Inme hi hai sadaa hifaazat meri
Zindagani badi khoobsurat hui

Jannat ab aur kya hogi kahin
Jo tu mera Humdard hai
Jo tu mera Humdard hai
Suhaana har dard hai
Jo tu mera Humdard hai......
   

She nodded

"Come back, dear warrior, as you would from a war", she said, her eyes brimming with fiery pride and glistening with love, as she applied the vermillion on his forehead,".....safe and unharmed, glorious and unconquered ."

She bent down to touch his feet as was the custom, but he stopped her by holding her hard up by her upper arm.

"Don't ever ! I am not worthy," he said shortly , no longer in a whisper but loud enough for all to hear. He turned to the others and addressed them.

"If I am being praised for being a devoted brother , I fail as a good husband, who is leaving behind his bride", he paused to look at her and said with intensity ,"Oh Mila, will the world ever know of your inner sufferings, your divine sacrifice? But my heart , full of shame and gratitude , knows what you are doing in silence, through your brave smile, your generous heart. Eternally , your Lakshman will be grateful to you and be proud of you. I go now and leave you alone but I leave my soul, my heart , here with you."

Urmila clasped her neck, her throat constricting with bubbling emotion. Lakshman continued, "As a husband, I should have taken care of her, and protected her. I am doing none of that but leaving her behind to look after my old parents when as a good son I should have been doing so. I failed as a son too. I bow to my mother and my wife and humbly ask for their forgiveness for falling short of that duty and devotion."Saying this Laksh burst out crying .

Urmila was close to breaking down, her heart bursting with incredulous happiness and sadness. His mother looked overwhelmed. As the room burst in quiet applause, Urmila felt his hands holding her wrists-he was chaffing the soft, delicate skin of the inner side of her wrist with his thumb. It would be for the last time . He let go of her hands abruptly and turned on his heel, not looking back.......

  Teri dhadkano se hai zindagi meri
Khwahishein teri ab duaaein meri
Kitna anokha bandhan hai ye
Teri meri jaan jo ek hui
Lotunga yahaan tere paas main haan
Waada hai mera mar bhi jaaun kahin

   

N urmila understood that hatred is never easier than loving.... This is the love that will keep them moving....

--------------The end-------------------------

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