The citizens of Ayodhya had gathered in their lanes to welcome their princess who was returning after a week, all were yearning to get a glance at her.

But Rameshwari was not in a happy frame of mind, sadness was shrouding her like clouds that shroud the sun. Yet, she was not showing it on the face of her.

A smile was adorning her face, very well diverting the attention from the despair which was veiled behind her eyes. She greeted the citizens, asked about their well-being and that of their family, but no one noticed the slight heaviness of her voice.

She was hiding her pain, her sadness, her despair, very well. Just like her father, who never laid bare his emotions and the his upsetness to anyone.

Riding her horse Vajra, she finally the palace. Entering its premises, she got down, securely holding the earthen utensil in her hand which had the kheer, which through this ride, she was cherishing more than how Gods cherish their Amrit.

Rameshwari climbed the stairs up as Ulka followed her behind. She was greeted by her father, who smiled at her widely.

"Pranaam Pitashree." Rameshwari greeted, bowing her head.

But the smile on Shri Ram's face faded, clearly hearing the grief that she was trying to hide. He even saw how her eyes were at war with her tears, not letting them escape.

Yet the thing that struck his heart was that she was smiling. His Ramey was hiding her grief ? From him ?

And the smell that pervaded his nose, was telling him the reason. That sweet smell of kheer made with jaggery, although it's been years but he can recognise it even asleep.

"Ramey ?" He muttered with a frown, but she just smiled even more.

"Yeh kheer atyant swadisht hai Pitashree. Maine grahan kiya toh socha aapko bhi iske swaad ka anand du." Rameshwari said handing him the earthen utensil.

"Kisne di ?" He asked, her smile fell for a moment before coming back up.

"Ek tapasvini ne." She said.

Shri Ram took a deep breath and looked at the utensil. Now his eyes engaged in a war with his tears. He didn't say anything just nodded at her.

Rameshwari sighed with a sad smile and then went inside, hurrying towards her room before her tears win over her eyes.

Shri Ram took of the lid of the utensil, the smell of kheer strongly fell in his nose. Taking a small amount in his hands, he ate it. The moment they touched her tongue, he closed his eyes not letting any tears fall.

'O Sitey, laut kyu nahi aati mere paas ? Tumhare bina toh mujhe swarg bhi nahi chahiye. Yeh Ayodhya ka mai kya karu ?' He thought.

But then opening his eyes, he consoled his mind. He was the king, he cannot fall weak like that. He has to focus on performing Ashwamedh yagya.

A sad smile appeared on his face as he understood now why Rameshwari didn't give him a clear answer.

□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□
A/N

The sad thing here is that.... Hum yeh keh bhi nahi sakte ki Prabhu sab thik ho jayega~