⚔ The Right Way ⚔

Corin didn't look up form her walking until she reached the table in the middle of the lounge. If she had, perhaps she'd have noticed the two extra pairs of feet. But she was still too lost in her own problems. She hadn't heard Kallm come out behind her, and she was wondering where he had gone. Though she had no right to do so.

Corin was so engrossed in herself that she hadn't even realised the extra pair of hands that had extended to help her, nor the chime of bells when they knelt next to her. She still didn't look up when the other person knelt on her other side, the larger hands going around her smaller ones and causing her to finally stop and look up into the brown depths of her brothers.

Corin froze. Her brother. He was here. How? She looked to her parents in confirmation, and saw they were watching Corin with apprehensive eyes. Looking back, she saw Raian gazing at her, his brotherly love pooling in his eyes as he opened his arms.

Corin leapt into them, "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry Bhaiya. I'm sorry," were the only words that Corin could get out of her mouth. She latched onto him, she didn't know what she had done to deserve this second chance but she wasn't going to waste it. She finally had someone to lose. Looking up, she saw Kallm standing behind Raian, and Corin's heart ached at the thought of losing him. She thought she finally felt a small part of what it meant to lose someone you loved.

Raian stroked Corin's back and whispered in her ear, trying to make her understand that he forgave her, that it was all okay now. He was back. But it seemed that something made her cry harder as she burrowed herself into his shoulder. He looked up and locked eyes with the hazel orbs looking sorrowfully at the brother-sister duo. She nodded her head and Raian agreed, slowly beginning to disentangle himself from Corin. She looked up, confused, until she felt the gentle tap on her shoulder, and she turned around.

Corin's breath hitched in her throat.

"Hello, Corin."

But Corin could do nothing. She didn't know if Kayana would forgive her. She didn't think she could throw herself at her. She couldn't push herself more into the lives of the people she had ruined. Instead of hugging Kayana, Corin sat, teary-eyed and watching.

When Kayana smiled and took Corin's hand, all Corin could manage was a small smile, and when she opened her mouth to speak, all Kayana did was lay her hand on Corin's cheek. "I understand."

Corin latched onto Kayana's hand on her face, and leant into it. She felt her brother shuffle forward and wrap his arms around her, when Kayana did the same. Corin couldn't stop the laugh from exploding out of her. Her family was back.

Looking up, Corin locked eyes with Kallm, who stood with a smile on his face watching the reunion. Prying herself out of the locked arms between her brother and best friend, Corin stood and wrapped herself around Kallm. It didn't take a second for Kallm to reciprocate the hug, and his larger body shielded Corin from the laughing eyes of her family. She leant up on her toes, closer to Kallm's ear where he still had to drop a little lower, whispered her thank you. She knew he had a part in this. And right now, she didn't care about showing her feelings, she just wanted him to know.

"Kallm, I -"

"Kallm! How nice it is to see you."

Kallm's eyes remained on Corin for a second more, begging her to finish, but Corin stopped and all Kallm could do was sigh, before turning to Kayana.

"Kayana ji, how are you?"

He moved past Corin, his hand lingering a little longer on her waist as he went for a quick hug with his former sister-in-law. Corin stared at the man whom she wished she had the good fortune of loving and marrying for herself. But she knew that regardless of how she felt, he wouldn't want her.

But at this moment, she was happy and fine helping him achieve what it was he needed. He had helped her bring her family back together, and she owed him that much.

But wait. If Kayana and Raian were here, together, how was Kallm going to get Kayana and Vodia back together?

Corin's eyes widened as she realised that Kallm was going to try and break up Raian and Kayana, something that she had already done.

But before she could charge forward, she felt Raian's arm on hers, leading her away. Allowing herself to be taken, Corin couldn't shake this feeling of shock, was Kallm planning on betraying her?

"Corin, hey, Corin. Look at me." Raian snapped his fingers in front of Corin's face until he saw her eyes zone in and he smiled at her. Her sister was always the dreamer.

"How are you?"

"Bhaiya, listen. Kallm -" Raian lifted his hand in a stopping motion, and Corin halted immediately.

"Corin, I know. It's okay. I know."

Corins eyebrows furrowed. What did he know?

"But you and Kayana...." She trailed off as the sparkle in Raians eyes gleamed brighter.

"Corin, meet Mednia." Corin turned around to see a blushing woman dressed in light blue, her short brown hair framed doll like blue eyes, which were washed with apprehension. Corin looked back at her brother who could only brush his hair back with his hand.

"This is my fiancée."

Corin's mouth dropped open as she stared at her brother, before whispering, "Does Kayana know?" Raian let out a loud laugh before motioning Mednia forward, who smiled softly at Corin as she walked past her.

"Mednia is Kayana's friend. She introduced us. Corin, we know about Kallm's plan. But you need to speak to Kayana."

When the news finally settled with her, Corin let out a squeal and grabbed Mednia to her who seemed to stiffen at first, but soon relaxed into her new sisters embrace. "I'm so happy for you! Congratulations!"

Mednia smiled graciously back at Corin, before reaching out and fixing her hair and scarf. Looking over Mednia's shoulder, Raian shot her a cheeky smile.

"It's very nice to meet you Corin. I just want you to know, that I'm thankful for you." Corin raised an eyebrow as Mednia bit her lip and winked. She'd have to ask about that later.

"Now that you know Corin, go and help your fiancé," when Corin shot him a playful look, Raian retracted his words, "I mean Kallm, with his plan."

Corin laughed as she walked away from the two who were now too busy staring into each other's eyes to notice her. Walking back into the main lounge, she saw her parents and her aunty sitting and speaking quietly about things that probably didn't pertain to her. Moving past them, after asking if they needed anything, Corin continued to the kitchen where she saw Kallm by himself trying to take out tea from the pot on the stove. She stayed hidden until it became apparent that he obviously couldn't. Letting out a little giggle as she came into sight, she hadn't realised that this would shock him as he jolted from her sudden appearance, spilling the hot water on his hand.

Corin moved faster, coming up next to him and leading him closer to the tap. "I'm so sorry Kallm. Come here."

She leaned over him, put his hand in the cold water, stroking him slowly as if she could wash away the pain. Kallm stared at her, her blond head bent over his hand as she made sure the water wasn't hitting his burn directly. She moved away for a second, before coming back and leading him to the chair. Corin sat him down and leant in front of him, taking out the antiseptic.

"This may hurt a little, and I'm sorry Kallm." Kallm hadn't seen her take charge like this, and he wouldn't admit it, but he enjoyed this side of her. Plus, she was calling him Kallm.

When the first touch of the cream went on, Kallm twitched, the pain not something he was used to.

"Hey. Hey, look at me." Kallm followed what Corin said, and looked at her, her eyes looking right back at him as her hands worked on his. Kallm didn't realise when she had finished, and it seemed neither had Corin as she continued rubbing his hand.

Kallm couldn't help himself as he leaned forward, he also didn't know that Corin would also lean forward, her hands not once stopping their appraisal.

Kayana moved towards the kitchen as she heard the sound of the pot dropping, but as she got there, she saw Corin already helping Kallm. A smile found its way to her face as she gestured to a passing Raian to have a look. Raian seemed confused at first, but it seemed that his memories took him to where Kayana was waiting for him. The day Ionido had found them after Kayana had burnt herself.

Kayana knew all she needed to know now about Corin's feelings for Kallm. They were what she had for Raian. And hopefully soon, they'll be what Kayana now felt for Vodia.

Turning, Kayana began shooing Raian away, and after one last glance, she herself moved away. She was happy for Corin.

⚔ The Right Way ⚔