The throne room of Ayodhya used to empty at this hour of the day. But today it was filled with 5 people. Two adults, three children.

Bharat was standing beside the throne where Shri Ram was seated, glaring at the three kids in front of him who were on their knees with downcast eyes.

They had left without informing their parents, and neither did they took any trustworthy family member with them. Over that they had gone to the banks of Sarayu river which was by the forest. It was a total reckless behaviour.

"Kya Rajkumari aur Rajkumaro ko laparvah vyavhaar shobha deta hai !? Kiski anumati se tum sab Sarayu tat gaye the !?" Shri Ram asked in a firm voice.

The three kids didn't say a word. They maintained their silence and their composure.

"Bina anumati ke chale gaye, bina kisi ko bataye akele chale gaye. Yadi ped se gir jaate toh ? Yadi Sarayu ki teevra pravah mei beh jaate toh ? Yadi van ka koi hinsak pashu akraman kar deta toh ? Tum teeno ke paas na toh angrakshak the, na hi senik aur na hi parivar ka koi bada sadasya !" Shri Ram scolded.

He then looked at Rameshwari, she was eldest, she should've been more careful but she too acted recklessly.

"Rameshwari, tum toh sabse Jyesht ho. Tum mei inse adhik samajh hai. Fir tum aisi laparvahi kaise dikha sakti ho !? Yadi kuch anhoni ho jaati toh kya uska uttardaitwa tum leti !?" He scolded.

They all flinched slightly at the raise of his voice, which boomed like the thunderous clouds.

"J-Jiji ki galti nahi hai isme Tatshree..." Pushkal said gathering courage.

"H-Humne hi Sarayu tat jaane ka hatt kiya tha. Jiji ne hume mana kiya tha." Taksh said.

But Rameshwari kept her hand on their knees, pressing them slightly, gesturing them to keep quiet.

She then looked at her father, who was angry but behind his anger she could see how greatly he was worried for them all.

"Pita-Maharaj, hum teeno se bhul huyi hai. Hum swikaarte hai aur kshama maangte hai. Aur hum vachan dete hai ki aisi laparvahi hum punah nahi karenge. Aap chaahe toh hume dand de sakte hai." Rameshwari said joining her hands.

"Dand toh awashya milega. Apni Jiji se anuchit karya hetu hatt karne ke liye dand swaroop Rajkumar Taksh aur Rajkumar Pushkal, 15 din tak Raj-bhavan ke bahar nahi jaa sakte. Aur Jyesht hone ke baad bhi aisi laparvahi dikhane ke liye Rajkumari Rameshwari, ek maah tak Raj-bhavan ke bahar nahi jayengi." Shri Ram said.

He then stood up from the throne and walked out, going past the three children but not sparing a glance.

Rameshwari sighed while Taksh and Pushkal shed some tears. Bharat looked at them sadly and made his way to them. He knelt down in front of the kids with a small smile on his face.

"Bhul toh huyi hai na ?" He asked.

"Ha." The three kids agreed.

"Iss liye dand toh milna hi tha. Aur Ram bhaiya ke krodh ko anuchit roop mei mat lena. Woh tum sabhi se atyant prem karte hai. Aur aaj unki chinta ne krodh ka roop le liye. Kintu satya toh yeh hai ki Mata Pita ka krodh bhi unke aseemit prem aur chinta ka hi ek bhaav hota hai. Ram bhaiya krodhit iss liye huye kyuki woh tum sab ke liye aaj bhayebhit ho gaye the. Bhayebhit ho gaye the ki akele asahaye balako ko koi haani pahucha de toh ?" Bharat said.

The three kids nodded understanding, as the son of Kaikeyi smiled at them before taking all three in his big embrace. And in that warm embrace all of them began crying, even Rameshwari.

Bharat chuckled at the three crying kids, as he caressed their backs.

"Chinta mat karo, Ram bhaiya ka krodh kuch kshano mei hi shaant ho jayega." Bharat assured.

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A/N

Sometimes parents do need to scold the children for their own good.

And this was necessary in the book to keep the dynamic of Shri Ram and Rameshwari realistic U.U