It was as early summer day that the four princesses woke up to.. A group of maids flocked in headed by Sunaina and Chandrabhaga. The girls were wide awake by then. Sunaina ushered one by one into the bath chambers to have their hair oiled and washed.. It took some moments for Urmila to realize that itwas the day they were to be married. The expensive silks and jewellery were laid aside on the long table in the chambers. Sita was the first to go in, followed by Mandavi, Urmila and Shrutikeerti. The four princessess were dressed in expensive red silks and decked in wedding finery. Diamonds and rubies found their way into the arms, necks and waists. As the sun rised, the light reflected upon the four sister who were shining brighter than any jewel. Sunaina had tears in her eyes at the sight of the four girls.. Being a mother, she dreaded the moment when the four of them would leave Mithila forever. Last night, Rajrishi Janak had found her going through Sita and Urmila's childhood toys and when asked, she had cried over her daughters about leaving them. Urmila noticed her mother's tears "Maa. What happened ?" Queen Sunaina looked at her younger daughter "Nothing dear child.. I was just reminded of some of your childhood moments. You all have grown up so beautifully and wonderfully.. And I am proud of the four of you." The sister went and huuged Sunaina who returned the hug warmly. Chandrabhaga too ahd tears in her eyes. Mithila would be so quiet without them. A maid had come into the chambers announcing that the four princes had arrived to the palace and that the ceremony was about to start. Sunaina and Chandrabhaga dried their tears. It was their responsibility to do the customary aarti of the four grooms. They left the chambers leaving the four sisters to their thoughts. Shrutikeerti sat down on the large bed and looked around "Is this the last time that we will ever see Mithila ?" Her eyes looked fearful at the thought of leaveing dear Mithila forever. Sita put an arm around her and comforted her quietly. Shrutikeerti found warmth in the embrace but still continued "Is this the last time we see Father, Maa, Uncle and Aunt ? How will we survive ?" Sita patted her shoulder "No no dear.. We will go to another home.. Our husand's home where we will bring warmth to everyone. We will have another Father and mother to talk to, to take care of.." Mandavi voiced her thoughts "We do understand Sita that we will get a new family.. But the thought of leaving Mithila forever gives me grief.. Why do girls have to leave their homes !!" Sita smiled "Because only girls are capable of spreading her joy and warmth to other families.. When a girl leaves her home, she carried with her the happiness, warmth and care... And she dpreads that in her other home.." Mandavi smiled at her. Urmila exclaimed "Really Sita.. I wouldn't know what to do without you for your every word gives me hope." The deafening noise of the trumpetswas heard. The maids who were in the balcony giggled and informed the sisters that the princes had arrived to the palace. The girls smiled. Urmila felt a reddish tint on her cheek and she blamed her Soumitra for that. She hurried to cover up her bluch but Mandavi was quicker "What is that I see on your cheek Urmi ?? A tint of red !!! This is a miracle.. Are you blushing, my dear demin sister ?" Urmila cursed Mandavi and her sharp eyes and tried not to smile.. Sita and Shrutikeerti looked up to see Urmila's blush. Sita exclaimed "Atlast !! Someone managed to make my Urmi blush.. Is it my younger brother-in-law ?" Urmila flushed. She qwas saved by the arrival of her parents and aunt-uncle. Rajrishi Janak had dressed splendidly in gold for the occasion, the wisdom radiating off him. He looked at the four girls "Daughters.. I cannot explain the pride I get when I look at you all.. You have always made me proud by growing into intelligent and mature princesses. Mithila will always be proud of her four daughters." Urmila felt the pride in her father's voice at those words. She felt happy. It was time for the princesses to be taken to the royal hall.

Sita gave her hand to her father who led her down the staircase to the hall. Sunaina took Urmila's hand and smiled at her. She adjusted a piece of hair to the back of her ear "I am very proud of you Urmila.. " Those were the only words spoken to her and Urmila couldn't quite understand but she took pride in her words. Mandavi and Shrutikeerti were led down by their mother and father respectively. The music of the wedding instruments sounded loudly as the princesses walked down. They were led to their respective grooms. Lakshman looked at the princess next to him. His Mila was the most beautiful of all, shining like a diamond. Urmila felt his gaze on her and flushed red at that. Lakshman softly chuckled. He relished the fact that he could make her blush. The wedding ceremony continued till the kanyadaan and Urmila couldn't stop the tear that fell from her eye as Rajrishi Janak and Queen Sunaina gave her away to Lakshman. Later, they took the blessings of the elders. Urmila was looking around. Sita and Brother Ram were conversing with Guru Vashishta. Mandavi and Brother Bharat were trying to look at each other.. Shrutikeerti was trying hard not to look at Shartughan and he was trying to catch her eye. Urmila laughed a little at that. Lakshman noticed this "What has got my Mila laughing ? " Urmila blushed again. Everytime he called her Mila, she sivered with pleasure. SHe pointed towards Shatrughan and Shrutikeerti and felt Lakshman laugh "Oh my twin is a handful, ain't he ? He was the most excited about getting married. Can you believe that ? Neither did he blush when Brother Ram was teasing him.." Urmila smiled and looked at him slyly "Tell me Soumitra. Did Brother Ram tease you too ?" It was Lakshman's turn to turn red. Urmil smiled for she had got her answer. Lakshman asked "What happened to Lakshman ? Wasn't it what you called me during our moments in the garden ?" Urmila blushed "I liked Soumitra... It rhymes well."

The sisters found themselves in their chambers looking around every nook and corner. It was their time to leave. Time to leave Mithila... Urmila's eyes filled with tears at the thought of leaving her beloved Mithila.. She grew up here.. Mithila thought her to be the fierce princess she was. She looked at her sisters. Sita was running her hands through the walls, Mandavi was grazing her hands through the plants and Shrutikeerti stared around the chambers "This is it then, isn't it ? Our last day here." She ran into the welcoming arms of Sita. The sister shared their last hug in Mithila.. They were interrupted by a mail informing them about The older royals wanting some time with them. They perched themselves on the floor, not minind their rich silks as their parents seated themselved on their bed. Rajrishi Janak spoke and his voice was solemn "My dear girls... You are going to begin a new journey of life.. You will be leaving Mithila and journey to another home where you must put to use the values that Mithila has thought you." He looked at the four girls "I still remember the time where the four of you were just little girls.. You used to run around the halls and come to my chambers for a story. You used to play "Find Me" and would ask me to find you out of your hiding places. And yes Urmila and Mandavi.. I haven't forgotten your garden shenanigans.. How the both of you used to love climbing trees and eat the fruits. Thinking of all those moments just makes me realize that I am going to miss my four girls a lot." Nine of the sister spoke a word. Their eyes brimmed with tears a they too remembered those childhood days. Sunaina spoke "I have given you what all I could give from my part.. I would like to beleive that I have given you the best values and manners. I would want you to follow those in your new home." Urmila held her mother's hand.. Her mother smiled "Urmila.. You have always been the most fore-sighted and the strongest. I know you would make use of your values to make sure everyone around is happy and also make use of your will power is situations. And also, make sure to reduce your aversion towards cooking." Urmila smiled. Sunaina turned towards Sita "My dear Sita.. My calm furrow. You have always been the calmest and most sorted out.. Please take care of your sisters." Chandrabhaga turned towards Mandavi "You have always been the most practical, dear.. May your practicality always lead you towards wat is right." Her hands reached out to Shrutikeerti's cheeks "My darling.. You have always had wisdom way beyond your age. May it shine upon you." Sunaina looked at the four girls "My advice to you would remain the same. You are not just sisters but sisters-in-law now. There will be a lot of responsibilities upon you. Tread upon them carefully."

The sisters got into a loving embrace with their parents.. It was a bittersweet embrace with tears and smile. They trailed around the palace and the gardens. Urmila smiled as she looked at the gardens.. That was where Soumitra and herself had their proclamation of love, if one would call it that. Those gardens that she treaded in sisnce she was a child. The yard where her sisters and her used to play and dance.. She was going to miss all of that. Her mother's voice rung in her eyes "You have always been the most fore-sighted and strongest." Was she really strong ? Was her mother's advice really an advice or warning ?

The princes were seated in the guest chambers. Ram spoke "Brothers.. The daughters of Mithila are leaving their home and coming with us to start a new life at Ayodhya.. It is our responsibility to make them feel at home and safe" Bharat nodded "Yes Brother. Definitely Brother. I know how it feels to leave home.. I understand what the princesses must be feeling" A sad Mandavi crossed his thoughts and he felt sad for her. Lakshman added "They will love Ayodhya Brother.. And they will love our mothers." Ram smiled at his younger brother. Shatrughan exclaimed "They will be happy.. I am here.. Why won't they be happy and smiling ?" The mood in the chambers was lifetef by Shatrughan's sense of humor. He was pleasant and fun loving but also responsible and his brothers had no doubt that he would be an amazing husband to Shrutikeerti.