Sweet Felony

Memories of a Past Love

Aru held out her hands in an X motion. "Whoa, whoa, whoa, first of all, I'd like to let you council people know that I am not happy about how this was kept from me."

Urvashi looked taken aback, but then nodded, "I can understand that."

"Oh, and by the way," Aru continued, "Is this going to be like, a group storytelling situation? Because I think I would like to have some say in who hears this."

Urvashi sighed, "Very well. Would you like to be alone for this?"

Aru looked back at the others. Should she? She owed so much to the group in front of her, but she didn't really think she felt comfortable about letting so much of her personal business be heard by other people.

Aru took a deep breath, looking away and ignoring the others' obvious various stages of concern.

"Yes"

Hanuman stepped forward. "Children . . ."

"Got it, we'll leave now." Aiden said as he ushered the others out.

Urvashi took a shaky breath and closed her eyes as if to recall the memory. Her face was twisted with pain, as if it physically hurt for her to recall it.

She took another deep breath again.

Aru felt herself getting jittery, waiting for the story that could potentially change her entire viewpoint.

"Could you please get on with it?" Aru snapped, immediately regretting the words once they were spoken.

Urvashi opened her eyes, her eyebrows arched. "You are not the only person who was fond of your mother, child."

Aru suddenly felt ashamed, "Sorry."

Urvashi took another breath and began telling her tale, "you have to understand that, first and foremost, your mother really did love your father."

"And?" Aru prompted

Urvashi's next words took on a tone that left Aru no doubt that her mother had told her that. "And you have to understand Suyodhana was put in a position he never would have wanted when he was in the right set of mind."

~~~~~~~

Krithika sighed in relief as she exited the house.

'Finally done with that,' she had thought

It wasn't the fact that her family was bad, per say. Her family was just, traditional and sometimes their views clashed with hers.

Like the topic of her marriage for instance. Their idea of marriage was a cold thing. It wasn't a marriage, it was an agreement. It wasn't love, it was convenience.

And Krithika had seen enough of her friend's marriages go awry to know that those types of marriages never worked out in the end.

Krithika didn't want that.

And besides...

"Krithika!" a cheerful voice called out.

She had someone else.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Your mother loved your father so, so much. We approved of the choice as well, and while he didn't have the best situation he loved your mother, your mother loved him, and we could find no better person for our friend." Urvashi continued, " but your father... he did not have the best luck with the fates. And..."

Urvashi took a deep breath, "I still remember the day your mother had come to me crying, looking so lost . . ." She looked away, "She looked bloody, as if she had to fight something . . . or someone. Your mother never specified though, and I was too afraid to ask."