“There is a reason why the queen is the strongest piece on the chessboard Kaikeyi,” whispered Manthara in the queen’s mind. Kaikeyi stood frozen, the cold evening breeze caressing her tanned skin as her body leaned over the garden’s wall, her mind wandering restlessly.
“He deserves the throne. Ram is the rightful heir,” replied Kaikeyi. “Besides, he is the perfect leader to rule our land. He is more skilled and….” her voice faded away as she gazed into Manthara’s evil eyes. She was bound to accept her advice, she was the one who had brought her up like her own child after her mother died. Manthara had sacrificed and devoted her life for her, she couldn’t deny and disrespect her.
“Don’t you want your son Bharat to rule the land? He is capable and he will have all the power. You will have all the power being the mother of the king. Or do you wish to lose all your power to Kaushalya? Since Sita has arrived haven’t you noticed Dashrath’s affection diverting to Kaushalya? He hasn’t been visiting you for days now. And once Ram is crowned, you will just be another of the king’s wives. Kaikeyi, I speak for the good of you and of Bharat. God knows what will happen once Ram gains power. Power changes everything and everyone.” Manthara walked towards Kaikeyi, pulling up her chin and looking straight into those teary eyes.
“Kaikeyi, I understand your love for Ram. I love him as much as you do but sometimes we must protect ourselves and our children from the unknown. Bharat will be the king. You’ll be the chief and the most beloved wife of Dashrath. You have a choice. And this choice of yours will define the future. It will either make or break your child’s future. Choose wisely” Manthara patted Kaikeyi’s shoulder and turned to leave. Kaikeyi erupted the moment she heard the door shut behind her. The words of Manthara were echoing in her mind. She remembered how elated she was when she heard about the crowning of Ram as the king of Kosala. She always loved Ram like her own child, how could she do this to him? But she had to think about her son, Bharat. His future lay in her hands. She gently closed her eyes, praying to God to give her all the strength and wisdom to make this choice.
Moments passed, and Kaikeyi opened her eyes as she heard Dashrath call out her name. She wiped her tears and smiled softly.
“Kaikeyi, how are you feeling? Manthara informed me that you were feeling low for quite a few days.” said a concerned Dashrath. He came closer to his wife and held her hand.
“Dashrath, you remember the time I saved your life?” whispered Kaikeyi, lowering her eyes to hide the tears from flowing.
“I remember every moment I spent with you. A warrior princess, I live because of you,” replied Dashrath, moving closer to Kaikeyi and feeling her breath.
“You promised me two boons,” replied Kaikeyi, stepping back, her eyes lowered.
“Oh, so the time has come then. Anything for you dear. Ask for anything. I promise on my life to make it come true. Whatever you wish to have.” said the old king cheerfully.
“I wish that my…..” whispered Kaikeyi, her voice fading away. Dashrath sensed the hesitation and pulled her chin up, gazing into the eyes that hid so many lies and truths.
“You cried,” he said wiping her tears. Kaikeyi shook off his hands and took a deep breath.
“I wish that our son, Bharat be crowned as the king,” she said confidently, gaining back her warrior spirit. Dashrath stepped back, his mind froze. All he could say was “But ram”.
“And for my second boon, I wish that Ram should be banished from the kingdom for 14 years. He should be sent to an exile,” she said, broken but confident.
Dashrath fell to the ground, his soul shivered. He held Kaikeyi’s foot and cried.
“You promised on your life, remember? Now make it happen,” she said, stepping back. “I am sorry Ram” she whispered and left the room, hiding her pain and tears deep within her heart.
Dashrath lay on the ground, crying. He had sensed the pain in Kaikeyi’s voice but she would never take back her words. “I can’t,” he thought to himself.
He did not know that this moment would define history for years to come. That his son, Ram would live 14 years of his life in exile with his brother Laxman and wife Sita. He did not know that the future was grave. That because of this day, a war would destroy an island, thousands of its people and soldiers would perish and his son would kill the greatest demon. That this choice would inflict pain and danger upon his daughter-in-law but would carve out a story that would establish Dharma and teach the world for ages. He could sense death calling out to him, he had only a few days. “Ram” he whispered and fainted on the ground.