Fallen Rose

The Breeze - Part 2

Hiroshi continued to wail in bouts of love and fear as the opposite trio looked on in concern. Aladdin just smiled and nodded as Michael rested on his shoulder. Madiha shuffled her feet, taking in the room. As Hiroshi attempted to calm down, she only felt uncertain. Who are these two in front of her? She's met Kaoru once, this must be Hiroshi's mother... She could hardly remember anyone here. She hunched over as everyone else doted on each other. The group finished off their meals as she slowly went through her plate. She sighed, realizing what her jealousy had lead to. She hardly knows the family of her own brother who she held so dear to her. She had to change this.

"So, Kaoru...um..." She finally spoke up, unsure of where to start. "I..."

"Madiha! How are you?" Kaoru aided her, "Aladdin has told me much about you!"

"He has?" She perked up, going along with it. "Oh, well, I've been fine myself ...My career has picked up well...How about you?"

"Oh, I've been lovely...I'm on a break from my modeling job, but since Hiroshi's all grown, maybe I can come back to the scene..." She smiled, standing up with her plate. "I can get your dishes and we can catch up in the other room, huh? It's about time we got to know each other!" She picked up everyone's plates as the men traveled to the room to their left, seating themselves in pairs. Madiha looked around, only noting the other rooms entrance to a kitchen.

"You can go with them if you want, unless you'd like to talk in here?" She called out, putting the remaining dishes in the sink.

"Maybe...we can catch up in here."

"Fine by me!" She sat herself down next to Madiha, a cheery face. "So, where shall we start?"

Madiha sat, twiddling her thumbs and dawdling around, clearing her throat as she drew blank.

"I understand...we don't have much between us. Our only real connection was ever Aladdin, wasn't it?"

"I suppose..." She rubbed the back of her neck "I..."

"He didn't really give either of us the time of day, did he?" She grew into a wistful frown, placing her hand on Madiha's lap.

"After he left for career...no, I guess not. Though I never really looked into his personal life after we parted anyways, I...I never got to know you, or Michael, and hardly even Hiroshi... Goodness, I'm so sorry...If I didn't let my envy hold me back I could've even helped you with Hiroshi!"

"There's no need to apologize, I understand! You're fine! Hiroshi was a well-behaved child anyways. Besides, we were separated by an ocean, sometimes I feel like Aladdin even forgot about me...at least I'm in your thoughts now, huh?" She gave a forgiving smile.

"Yeah...uh...gosh, I really don't know what to say..." Madiha sighed, twiddling her thumbs. "Well... Um...How was it like, raising Hiroshi?"

"He was quite a wonderful child! I admit, he did begin to stress me out a bit but, it was all worth it. It was all worth it seeing him grow up, and the pride I felt helping him into his adulthood and musical career... it brought my heart joy, and it still does...I'm so happy to see his success!"

"Ahh-" Madiha nodded, then paused, "Wait... I thought you weren't there for his last few years...I mean, I swore that I heard you died, but I do know you've been gone for a while, Katsumi sometimes told me about Hiroshi was quite troubled. Katsumi has become something of a mother to him as well...Ghk!" She choked, a hand grasped around her neck as she heard a stomp. She found Kaoru, a furious offense in her eyes. Her surroundings turned into vivid and bright colors as Kaoru seemed to morph into a different, indecipherable creature. She gagged as she continued, staring directly into her eyes.