TPQ (Aru Shah) One Shots

All is well in love and war

Aru didn't like war. More than the war, she hated the aftermath of war.

She hated the way it was making her feel, and she hated how she would find her mom zoned out as tears unknowingly rolled down her cheeks.

Aru clutched the necklace that Suyodhana always wore, a token of his memories with them. When she held it, it made her feel hollow, but loved at the same time. She sensed the love, care and hurt that was preserved in the necklace. In him.

"Aru!" she heard her mom call. Aru shoved the necklace into the pocket of her pants, and silently walked out of her room.

When she reached her living room, she saw Mini and Brynne standing alongside her mother.

Mini had her short hair tied in a ponytail, a few loose strands framing her face. She was wearing a violet coloured shirt, and dark leggings. Brynne was wearing jean overalls over a white shirt, her brown hair flowing around her shoulders.

Overall, they looked okay, though Mini had faint dark circles under her eyes, and Brynne had a slight wrinkle of distress under her right eyebrow.

Mini gave Aru a small wave, and Brynne shot her a smile.

"What's up, Shah?" asked Brynne.

"The usual," responded Aru, walking to her sisters.

"You mean watching Lord of the Rings all over again and bingeing 'The Karate Kid'?" asked Brynne, a smirk plastered on her face.

"Knowing Aru, probably," said Mini.

Aru sighed, "Yep." she said, popping the 'p'.

"You girls talk," said Krithika. "I have work to get done."

"Thanks aunty," said Mini.

Krithika just smiled and disappeared into her study.

Brynne settled in on the couch, Mini next to her. Aru flopped down on the rocking chair that looked like it could've belonged to an old brown grandpa with white hair and glasses, a cup of chai sitting next to him as he read the newspaper.

"Aru," said Mini gently. "Are you okay?"

Aru's hand immediately went to her pocket, feeling the necklace. "I'm perfectly fine," lied Aru.

"No you're not," said Brynne.

Aru stared at her sisters.

"Whatever do you mean?"

"Ever since the war-" Brynne started.

Aru internally cringed, and outwardly bit her lip, fiddling with the necklace in her pocket.

She was an excellent liar at all times, but now. Aru had put on her best poker face when Arielle and Poppy insulted her, but cried profusely when she got home. Why couldn't she do that now?

You know you can't hide anything from them, said a voice inside her.

But I want to, urged another part of her. It's not their deal. I don't want them to get messed up because of me!

"-you've been acting...weird." said Brynne, concern and confusion painted on her face.

Mini glared at Brynne for a hot second, before turning to Aru softly. "We just want you to talk to us, Aru," said Mini. "We're your sisters. We'll be here for you."

Aru broke.

Tears streamed down her face like a waterfall, just like that day in seventh grade three years ago, when Poppy and Arielle had insulted her.

Though she was crying, Aru felt something different. Her sisters had wrapped their hands around her shoulders, comforting her. Mini soothed her as Brynne told her all the things she was good at. Her tears slowed, and a smile cracked on her face.

"There's the Aru we like to see!" said Brynne, her lips curling into a smirk.

Mini took a quick look at her and frowned. "You need to stay hydrated, Aru! Go drink some water!"

"Yes, mom," grumbled Aru, smiling as she lousily got off the couch with a helpful/painful push from Brynne.

"Meet us at Aiden's house, Shah!" called Brynne. "We're having a game night."