Story: Tale of Four Mates

Story: Tale of Four Mates 

       Ravana and Rama grew up together in a small town near the beach. They both were in their mid-20s and were in search of their soulmates. Rama was a super shy guy who loved to read, while Ravana was an adventurous guy who could strike up a conversation with anyone. One day, when taking a jog in the neighborhood, Rama saw a pretty lady gardening. He contemplated if he should go up to her and say hi, or keep jogging. As he got closer and closer to the lady, he became more and more nervous. It was now or never; he was right next to her house. As he passed her, he knew instantly he should have stopped and talked to her.
       The next day he went for another jog. The lady was outside once again, and this time, Rama knew he had to say something. He jogged straight to her and introduced himself. Having just one conversation was enough for Rama. He told Ravana all about Sita, the lady he had met. Ravana was excited that Rama found a girl he was fully into. Ravana met Sita and thought she was the perfect person for Rama. Ravana found her pretty, a bit nerdy, and loved her personality. After a few days and months, Rama and Sita decided to get married. 

Sita putting a garland on Rama symbolizing their marriage. Photo credits : Holydham

      Ravana was, of course, Rama’s best man. Now that Rama had found his partner for life, Ravana felt slightly sad. He was still single and wanted to find someone to share his life with. A few years went by and Rama, Sita, and Ravana became even closer.
      The three of them decided to take a trip together to the Bahamas. On the trip, Ravana met a woman named Shurpanakha. He found her to be beautiful and could really see himself marrying her. He loved that Shurpanakha was a bold person who did not let anyone push her around. She was very strong mentally and physically. He had always thought he would find a woman who was just like her.
      As their relationship progressed, it seemed as if Shurpanakha would prefer to invite Rama and Sita along with her and Ravana, rather than spend time with Ravana alone. Shurpanakha would even at times ask Rama if he would want to go get dinner with her when Ravana was busy. Ravana didn’t think much of it, since Rama was his best friend, and was married. Sita started to become jealous and told Rama that she believed Shurpanakha was in love with him. Rama kept telling Sita that Shurpanakha loved Ravana and that he would never think of anyone else to be as wonderful as her. Sita finally agreed that their marriage was strong, and nothing would ever happen to it.
      One day, when Sita was at work, Shurpanakha showed up to Rama’s and Sita’s house. Rama opened the door and let her in. She told him that Ravana had told her to go to their house and he was coming in an hour. Rama didn’t think Shurpanakha was lying since she and Ravana would come over all the time. As time passed by, Rama asked Shurpanakha if he should call Ravana and see if he was on his way. Shurpanakha told him there was no need because Ravana texted her saying he would be there in 30 minutes.
      Rama offered Shurpanakha some wine. As he was handing her the drink, she hit the glass and spilled it all over Rama’s shirt. She quickly apologized and got a towel. Rama tried to take the towel from her to wipe off the wine, but Shurpanakha wanted to wipe the wine of herself. Rama began to feel a bit awkward. He told her it was okay, and that he would just change his shirt. She kept insisting that she could clean it off for him. As Shurpanakha was wiping Rama’s shirt, she leaned closer and closer to his face. Once she was close enough she kissed Rama. Rama immediately stood up. He was in shock and questioned Shurpanakha. She began to strip and tell Rama that she never loved Ravana and believed she only met him to find her way to Rama. Rama asked Shurpanakha to leave that very moment and told her he was married to Sita. As Shurpanakha was gathering her clothes, Sita walked into the house.
      She was in utter shock at what she saw. She started to cry, yell at Shurpanakha, and ask Rama how he could do this to her. Rama tried to explain himself, but Shrupanakha overpowered his voice. She told Sita that this wasn’t the first time she and Rama were together. Sita stormed out of the house and vowed to Rama he would never see her again. Rama went after her, but Sita was too far gone. He tried and tried to get Sita to return to him, but in the end, she never came back. Ravana broke it off with Shurpanakha, and both friends were once again left to be single.

Author's Notes: 

This is a story is based off when Rama was exiled, and Sita went away with him. Along their journey, they went to a forest and met a lady named Kamavali ( Shurpanakha). She instantly tries to marry Rama and remove Sita from the picture. She points out that she is not like her brother Ravana who still lives the demon lifestyle. As Sita is saved by Lakshmana ruining Kamavali's plan, Rama remains with Sita. I decided to change the ending of the story. Instead of Ravana being Rama's enemy, he actually is his good friend. I changed Ravana to be a human throughout this story and not a form of a rakshasa. I also decided to make Shurpanakha a brand-new character that is not related to Ravana although she is in the original tale. She still in a way uses Ravana to get to Rama. She even told her brother that she did not care what he did with Sita, as long as he got her far away from Rama. Even though in the original text this was not said directly, I thought Shurpanakha used her own brother to get what she wanted. Though Sita catches on that Shurpanakha really wants Rama, Rama gives Shurpanakha the benefit of the doubt and believes she isn't after him. In the end of the original story, Rama and Sita stay together and do not let Shurpanakha come in between them, but clearly this is not what happened in this story.

Bibliography : 

Narayan's Ramayana, By Kamban & R. K Narayan, 1972, Bizzell Reserves.