Rama's Journey

Rama Image: Wikipedia

Rama, approaching the cashier with a bottle of water, asks the cashier whether she was having a slow day. He just wanted to spark some conversation, but what else could he possibly say to a woman working at a gas station in the middle of nowhere? It seemed like not many people stopped by this gas station, or hardly came into the store. I mean... I wouldn't.

Ahalya replied with a simple "no" and began to ring up Rama's water bottle. Rama asked for her name, and once again, she replied with an expressionless face. Talk about customer service. Rama began introducing himself, and as soon as he mentioned his name, Ahalya began to smile. Not one person in the many years she had been divorced had a man taken more interest in her and spoken to her than Rama had. I guess that's why she appeared to be stony-faced.

Rama finished his introduction about himself, and Ahalya was impressed by his charm. Rama saw that Lakshmana and Vishwamithra were outside waiting for Rama to return so that they may continue with their journey. He told them that he would be inside longer than expected, and that they were welcome to join him. Both men came inside the gas station, and began looking through the shelves. They remained in the background as they let Rama and Ahalya continue their conversation. She began to explain her story. Thank goodness no one else was in the store. Otherwise, Rama would have been holding up a line.

Ahalya stated she was the ex-wife of Gautama. If you all didn't already know, Gautama is most famous seven sages. He is the creator of mantras (sacred utterances). He seemed to be a very genuine man. But, back to the story.

Since he had left her, there was no reason to be happy anymore for she had committed a mistake that could never be reversed: adultery. Clearly, this wasn't Ayodhya anymore.

She said that she had been waiting on her husband's return from visiting a nearby village to preach his inspirational words. She decided to make him a wonderful meal, and make herself beautiful for him upon his return. Waiting in their bedroom, Ahalya fell asleep. She woke up, thinking her husband was in the room, when in fact, it was her ex-boyfriend, Indra. Indra began to tell Ahalya that he had seen her husband with another woman, and he couldn't bear to not tell her what he had seen. Because Gautama hadn't contacted her in a few hours, and she didn't know about his whereabouts, she began to believe this lie. Indra had tricked her. She had thought her husband left her, and in the midst of anger, slept with her ex-boyfriend. If her husband could go out and do something like that, shouldn't she do the same? Scandalous enough?

Gautama actually lost his phone, and wasn't able to get into contact with Ahalya that night. Cell reception clearly wasn't good in the village he visited. I don't know how he could even go without Wi-Fi, honestly.

He called her the next morning to say that he was almost home. He apologized for not finding another way to let her know about his delay, and he said that he missed her.

This story just keeps getting even more scandalous...

Just to add to this extra juicy story, I should probably tell you all that Gautama and Ahalya have a huge age-gap. Now, we can see that Ahalya seems to be acting her age, but she is soon to find out that a man like Gautama will not stand for this. Not a really smart move, Ahayla.

Well, Ahalya was shocked, and felt horrible about the act she had just committed. No surprise there. She decided to clean the house, and told Indra that he had to go. Stubbornly, Indra began to delay his departure with excuses. As soon as Indra was about to leave, Gautama entered the door.

Now, this is the type of thirst-quenching situation that brings delight. How could I not know about the details? ;)

Turns out, Gautama realized what was going on, packed up his bags, and left. He told Ahalya to have a nice life and hoped that no man ever take delight in speaking to her ever again.

Indra vanished, and now Ahalya has been living alone, and working as a cashier at the gas station ever since. Rama was the first one in all of these years to take an interest in her, and boy was she delighted. She finally had a genuine smile, and was happy to think that she had proved Gautama wrong.

Ahalya is just one of many characters I know I am going to encounter on Rama's journey. Up until now, we see that Rama has just confronted a mere woman at a cash register. There has been so much scandal in such a simple situation that it excites me to think that the scandal will just get even better from here on out. Have I mentioned how much I love gossip? ;-)

Laskshmana, the follower that he is, has just been accompanying this whole trip. He really hasn't gotten into any situations that are gossip-worthy, and I am waiting to just see what happens with him. Vishwamithra has just been leading the journey, and I can tell you that after his past mistakes that I mentioned, I doubt he will want to encounter any scandal.

These three men are making their way to King Janaka's palace, and the word is his daughter Sita is on the hunt to find her husband. Sita has been under her father's rule her whole life, and now she finally gets to break free. Her dad upholds her value, and has yet to think a man is even worth his daughter's love.

Now, Daddy must understand the concept of true love, right?

Will Rama entice Sita with charm? Will he make her smile just as he did with Ahalya? What troubles will Rama encounter next? Can Rama really find true love?

There is yet so much scandal left on this journey, and I'm your only source to it all. You know you love me, xoxo Gossip Girl.