"RAM KI SENA LANKA MEI PAHUCH GAYI AUR TUM MUJHE AB YEH SUCHNA DE RAHE HO !?" Ravan exclaimed at his spy Shuk.

"Kshama kare Lankesh. Hume Vibhishan ne pehechaan liya aur Angad ne bandhi bana liya tha. Aur Ram ne aadesh diya tha ki hume Lanka pahuchne ke baad hi chhoda jaye." Shuk said. The king of Rakshasas sighed in frustration.

"Maine Sugreev hetu jo maitri ka sandesh bheja tha, uska kya uttar aya ?" Ravan asked.

He had sent Shuk to Vanar camp in disguise of a messanger, to tell Sugreev that Ravan considers him as a brother and although there was no friendship between them, there was no enmity either and that the abduction of Devi Sita was Shri Ram's problem and not Sugreev's concern.

Ravan had planned this way he could assess the strength of Vanar sena and also sow seeds of disharmony between the enemy.

But Sugreev remained unconvinced had sent a firm message to Ravan. Shuk unrolled the scroll to read it

"Sugreev ne kaha, 'Ravan, na hi tum mere mitra ho aur na hi tumne Aisa koi karya kiya hai jisse mai tumhare prati kritagya rahu. Mai apni sena ke saath awashya Lanka aake, tumhe aur tumhare rajya ka sarvanash kar dunga. Tumne nahi pata ki tumne kayarta purn Devi Sita ka apharan kar apne vinaash ko aamantrit kiya hai. Ram aparajit hai. Tum nahi samajh paa rahe ki woh shigreh tumhara vadh kardenge.' Yeh uttar tha unka." Shuk read it.

Ravan clenched his fists, trying to think of the next course of action. It was already too late. The advice to release Shuk after they reach Lanka was a strategic move by Shri Ram, who knew that the spy's observations wouldn't harm the vanars anymore but also it would rattle Ravan self-confidence, which it did.

"Toh Ram kapat yudh bhi kar raha hai. Ab mai batata hu kya hota hai Kapat yudh." Ravan muttered.

He stood up from his throne and looked at one of his ministers.

"Vidyutjeeva mere sang chalo." Ravan said and walked out as that minister of his followed behind.

-----

Devi Sita was leaning with the support of a tree, her face was tear stained. Her eyes carried the yearning for her husband, her lord, her Ram.

A Rakshasi named Sarma looked at her with pity. She too like Trijata was empathetic towards Devi Sita and had befriended her. She pondered as to how she can help her.

Suddenly Ravan came in Ashok Vatika with Vidyutjeeva. He had his head high with pride and a smirk on his face. Looking at him Devi Sita cringed.

"Sundari, ab tumhare pratiksha karne ke din gaye. Ab mujhe swikarne ke sivaaye tumhare paas koi anya maarg shesh nahi. Kyuki Ram ka vadh ho gaya." Ravan said.

Devi Sita frowned looking at him, her heart skipped a beat as the smirk on Ravan's face got wider.

"Maine apne Senapati Prahast ko samudra ke uttar tat par bheja tha. Aur usne ratri mei aakraman karke tere Ram ka aur Vanar sena ka naash kardiya. Hanuman ki hanu nahi rahi, Sugreev ka greev nahi raha, Jambuvant ki jangha tod di, aur Lakshman toh bhag gaya." Ravan said with a chuckle.

"Y-Yeh nahi ho sakta." Devi Sita muttered standing up.

"Kintu yeh huya tha kal ratri Sundari. Yadi tumhe pramaan chahiye toh Ram ka sheesh mera mantri Vidyutjeeva tumhe dikhayega." Ravan said.

He gestured Vidyutjeeva come forward, who came and unveiled the head of Shri Ram kept on a plate. Devi Sita became shocked but Sarma was skeptical. She left Ashok Vatika immediately to investigate the matter.

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A/N

Sarma Rakshasi bhi Trijata jaise hi Mata Sita ka dhyaan rakhti thi.

And the psychological torture that Ravan inflicted on Devi Sita is so over looked. You'll see her vilaap in the next chapter.