Chicha found herself rushing through the city, trying to find her way back to her grandmother's home. She looked about, obviously lost. She could navigate her way through any city, and jungle, but for some reason Cuzco never ceased to get her turned around and lost. She jumped when a hand laid on her shoulder.

"Chicha! It's been so long," an older woman said with a grin. Chicha paused, realizing who it was.
"Naya?" she asked, breaking into a grin, "Far too long!" She embraced the woman close, smiling. Naya had worked in her grandmother's house for many years, but seeing her out here was disconcerting.
"Shouldn't you be back at my grandmother's home?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. Naya laughed out loud, shaking her head.
"Oh Chicha, you're just as funny as you were when you were younger," she chuckled, but upon observing the seriously confused look on her face, she chuckled.
"You really don't remember?" she asked, her hand resting on her cheek, "Chicha, your mother dismissed me long ago."
"Really?" she asked, "But you were such a good maid."
"Are you truly so naive?" Naya asked, raising an eyebrow, "You're what, 26 summers now? Really dear." Chicha was completely confused. Naya had always been quite good to her, and her mother never had a complaint about her work. Why would she dismiss her?
"I'm not sure I understand," she said quietly. Naya shook her head, linking her arm in Chicha's.
"Come love, let's talk over some lunch. I'm sure you have much to tell me, yes? Tell me, how fairs your father? And I heard you've married!" she smirked, gesturing to her bruise, "Trouble in paradise?"

"My father is sick," she said quietly, "He coughs terribly, blood stains his kerchief. Yes, I am married, I have 3 children... but of course if Papi has his way I'll be leaving my husband in no time." Naya nodded sagely, patting her arm.
"And your mother? Last I heard, she had disowned you. Has she kept to that promise?" she joked, her eyes soft. Chicha looked down, a lump growing in her throat.
"Yes, and she shows no signs of going back on it," she joked, despite the sadness she felt. Naya nodded.
"Your mother always was a rather ruthless woman," she responded quietly, "Now, onto the whole reason I invited you out." Chicha nodded eagerly, wanting to know what exactly had transpired that led up to her dismissal.

"I'm sure your mother was never sparing in her comments on your father's love of other women," she began, "But I want you to know now- your father was not a lecherous man. He was and still is a good man. You must understand this. "
"I met your father when your Abuelo set up your mother to marry him. Oh, and how handsome he was. He had the curliest black hair I'd ever seen, like a tiny lamb laying on his head," she chuckled, "And he had the tiniest mustache. It was as if he had drawn it on with a piece of khol! But he had the kindest eyes. Your mother was quite set on marrying that advisor man and would hear nothing from anyone on the matter. Your father came to me distraught.

'What shall I do?' he asked me, 'She will not marry me.' Of course, I told him that she was just throwing one of her temper tantrums and that she would come out of it eventually. He shook his head, he looked so sad. 'I don't want to marry her either,' he told me, 'She's too young...' Naturally he was perfectly right. She was 14! Se couldn't be expected to fall in love or even want to marry at such a young age. I held him, comforted him. He needed the comfort of a woman, and I was able to give it to him." She smiled, shaking her head, "They were married, and Chasca demanded I go with her as her maid. I did, and Atoc and I became wonderful friends. Of course, with your mother's temper being what it was...he was often alone even with her in the room. He and I would talk for hours, about the land, about the village. He confided everything in me. There came a day though when we became more than friends. He had caught me alone in the fields, having finished my work. He kissed me," she paused, looking at Chicha intensely, "Have you ever touched lips with a man and felt as if you were two puzzle pieces fitting together?"

Chicha nodded, she knew the feeling well. She felt it every time her and Jack's lips touched, every time their hands brushed against one another's.

"I felt that the moment your father kissed me. And He felt it too. He told me. We knew we could not ignore our need for one another."
"Need?" Chicha asked.
"Yes, need," Naya replied, "Your father is incapable of loving anything or anyone ...well, with the exception of you and your children. He needed someone who would accept that and still care for him. Of course, I can't say that I exactly accepted it...but nevertheless, I didn't badger him about it. Your mother found out about us and sent me back to your grandmother. And when your grandmother died, she dismissed me."

Chicha sat back, trying to take it all in. Her father really had cheated on her mother...and with Naya. She looked at the older woman's finely lined face, her features not any prettier than her mother's. She didn't understand it. It couldn't possibly be for her beauty.

"Desperation," she whispered to herself.
"What was that?" Naya asked, her face displaying her curiosity.
"Desperation," Chicha said, looking up, "He was desperate for love. You were desperate for it too. So many terrible things happen...out of desperation."
Naya didn't argue, looking down.
"I did not mean for things to go so badly," she said quietly, "It was a mistake." Chicha shook her head, standing.
"Don't be sorry, Naya," she said, laying some money on the table, "I understand what happened. I'll tell my father you send him all the best."
"Oh, would you? Thank you dear," she said, standing herself. She pulled Chicha close, hugging her tightly, "Never become that desperate, dear. It only leads to trouble."