If Lakshmana was the sanest person between Rama and Ravana, then Noa Hanuman was the reason that sanity was so often put to the test.
Hanuman was Rama’s friend.
He was cheerful, funny, full of energy, and had one bad habit: he loved sticking his nose into other people’s business.
Especially when the people arguing were Rama and Ravana.
“I think you lost.”
Ravana turned.
“What?”
Hanuman pointed at Rama.
“He’s better than you.”
Rama smiled smugly.
Ravana immediately glared at Hanuman.
“Why are you butting in?”
Hanuman shrugged.
“Because it’s fun.”
Lakshmana, standing beside him, immediately pinched his arm.
“Ow!”
“Don’t rile them up.”
“I’m just being honest.”
“You know they’re going to fight.”
Hanuman smiled.
“That’s the point.”
Hanuman was very close to Rama.
They had been friends for a long time, and Hanuman was one of the few people brave enough to treat Rama like something other than a king.
When everyone else was bowing respectfully, Hanuman could stroll in and say,
“Rama, come on. Let’s eat.”
When the ministers were in the middle of a serious meeting, Hanuman might show up carrying bananas.
And when Rama was feeling down, Hanuman was always the first person to bother him.
“Rama.”
“Hmm?”
“Why do you look like a man who’s lost his wife?”
Rama stared at him.
“I did lose my wife.”
Hanuman fell silent.
“Oh.”
He thought for a moment.
“Then it fits.”
“What fits?”
“Your face.”
Lakshmana covered his face.
Hanuman also loved messing with Lakshmana.
Maybe because Lakshmana was the only person still willing to put up with his antics.
One morning, Lakshmana was reading in the library.
Hanuman appeared behind him.
“Lakshmana.”
No answer.
“Lakshmana.”
Still nothing.
Hanuman moved closer.
“Lakshmana.”
“What?”
“Nothing.”
Lakshmana went back to reading.
A few seconds later, Hanuman snatched his book.
Lakshmana immediately looked at him.
“Give it back.”
“No.”
“Hanuman.”
“Yes?”
“Give it back.”
“No.”
Lakshmana stood up.
Hanuman immediately ran.
“Catch me if you can!”
Five minutes later, Hanuman was climbing a palace pillar while Lakshmana stood below him with a blank expression.
“Get down.”
“No.”
“I’m counting to three.”
“Not scared.”
“One.”
Hanuman smiled.
“Two.”
His smile disappeared.
“Three.”
Hanuman immediately climbed down.
Lakshmana took his book.
“Thank you.”
Hanuman nodded.
“You’re welcome.”
No one knew why Hanuman always did that.
Maybe he was bored.
Maybe he really did enjoy annoying people.
Or maybe he thought life was far too serious if no one was around to mess with.
However, behind his mischievous nature, Hanuman possessed one ability that couldn’t be underestimated.
He had ideas.
Lots and lots of ideas.
The problem was, not all of them were good.
“What if we sneak into Alengka?”
“No.”
“What if we disguise ourselves as merchants?”
“No.”
“What if we send a challenge letter?”
“No.”
“What if we kidnap Ravana?”
“No.”
“Why does everyone reject all my ideas?”
Lakshmana looked at him.
“Because they’re all terrible.”
Hanuman nodded.
“Then I have one more.”
“What?”
“We pretend not to care.”
Lakshmana thought about it.
“That actually sounds reasonable.”
Hanuman grinned.
“So you believe in me?”
“No.”
Unfortunately, Hanuman had another talent as well.
Fanning the flames of the hostility between Rama and Ravana.
One day, Rama and Ravana were discussing something at a royal meeting.
At first, everything was calm.
Very calm.
Until Hanuman arrived.
“Rama.”
“Hmm?”
“I heard Ravana say you’re not all that great.”
Ravana immediately turned around.
“I never said that!”
Rama looked at him.
“What did you say?”
“Nothing!”
Hanuman smiled innocently.
“He said you only won because you got lucky.”
“I never—”
Rama stood up.
“Is that so?”
Ravana stood up too.
“Don’t listen to him!”
Hanuman slowly backed away.
Lakshmana looked at him.
“You’re lying, aren’t you?”
Hanuman smiled.
“A little.”
“Hanuman.”
“A lot.”
Lakshmana sighed.
Behind them, Rama and Ravana had already begun arguing.
Hanuman leaned against the wall, enjoying the commotion.
“Fun.”
Lakshmana shot him a sharp look.
“Do you realize they could actually go to war someday because of you?”
Hanuman thought for a moment.
“Then I’ll have to make sure they don’t get bored.”
Lakshmana closed his eyes.
He was beginning to understand.
Rama had problems.
Ravana had problems.
And Hanuman was the person who made sure those problems never ended.
Yet whenever things truly became serious, Hanuman was always the first person to stand at Rama’s side.
Because beneath all the jokes and mischief, he was an incredibly loyal friend.
It was just that—
if he ever got the chance to make Rama and Ravana argue a little longer?
Hanuman would never waste it.
“Hey, Lakshmana.”
“What?”
“How long do you think they’ll fight if I tell Ravana he’s uglier than Rama?”
“Hanuman.”
“Hehe.”
“Don’t.”
Hanuman was already running.
“RAVANA!”
Lakshmana chased after him.
“HANUMAN!”