⚔ The Right Way ⚔  

Corin didn't think she could control her breathing. 

They had gotten their bags and the mean had dispersed to try and find them a taxi to take them back to Lakin household, and Corin didn't know how she was still standing. Exhausted from the flight and her nerves on edge, Corin couldn't move without being ushered around. Especially since Kallm hadn't turned to look at her after he had gotten her out of her seat. 

She glanced at him now, and saw his attention elsewhere, focussing on finding them some transport. Without even being close to him Corin could see the tension in Kallm's posture, his shoulders tightened with uncertainty and his stance one of defense. They hadn't even reached his home yet and he was worrying. Corin made a move to talk forward when Kayana's gentle touch rested on her shoulder and with a simple shake of her head, she had stopped Corin from going to Kallm. 

Corin felt helpless and very guilty. If she hadn't done what she had, would they even be in this position? But you wouldn't have Kallm. Her inner voice chimed in and Corin couldn't help but agree with it. She can't say that it had all been bad. And she was here now, to make it better. That had to count for something, right? 

"Come along ladies," Ionido's voice broke Corin's train of thought and she was caught in the bustle of moving bodies as her family attempted to get to the taxi all at once with their bags. Corin's bag got caught on a crack and she turned to disengage it, but Kallm was already there, sliding the pull handle back in and lifting it. He smiled softly at her, but Corin could still see the worry hidden in there. He lay his hand on the small of her back and guided her to the rest of her family as she continued to look up at him. 

Nudging her towards the door, he moved to the back to place away their bags, where Ionido was waiting with a raised eyebrow. "If you are going to touch her like that boy, you better be thinking of marrying her." He winked then, moving away to the passenger seat. If only I could. Kallm shook his head. This was not the time to be thinking of such things.

He felt his thoughts stray to Corin sitting in the middle, her curls bouncing underneath her scarf as she moved her head to talk to ladies surrounding her. Kayana it seemed, was content with just looking out the window. Kallm cleared his throat and went around, seating himself opposite Kayana and smiling at her reassuringly. He knew he was doing the right thing, but would his brother think so?

"Lakin house, please Ji." Kallm called out. He knew they weren't rich, but his brother was well known in Kairya, his mind in business was sharp and even many of the tycoons were wary of them, as they should be. The taxi driver immediately looked in his rearview and nodded at Kallm, setting his meter and putting the gear into drive.

The ride to the house was sombre, with all present worried about how they would be received. Kallm had not exactly explained his plan to his father or brother. He had to keep it a surprise from Vodia, and knew that if he told his father, that he would not be able to keep it a secret from his eldest son. 

Kallm glanced at Corin throughout the ride. She had been sitting quite still and silent, only making sounds if she had been asked a direct question, and even then, only answering with the most minimalist response. He knew that she was thinking what he was thinking. And that was how they were going to get out of this without being torn apart. Because Kallm knew now. He didn't want to be without Corin. But could he choose between his brother and his love? He had searched for his Lavender, and he had been ecstatic when he had found her in the place that he had gone to study. But his world had shifted when he found out this was the woman who had stolen his brother's happiness. But she was also the girl who brought it back. Kallm looked straight ahead at the elegant Kayana sitting there, her posture one of lady-like poise, but he could sense the underlying fear in every breath that she took. 

Kallm hoped that this would work. He could not bear to dangle Kayana in front of Vodia, and cause him to lose her again. This was all for Vodia, or so he would tell himself. 

Kallm could feel the pressure in the taxi rising the closer they got. Even Ionido and Caterina had stopped chatting and instead sat in silence as the driver made the final few turns to get home. Soon they would be arriving. 

Kallm began rubbing his knees in anticipation. He didn't know what else to do with all the extra energy surging within him. There was so many things that could go right, but also some where things could go right. He wasn't sure how his brother would react. 

Looking down at his watch, Kallm figured it was between the hours Vodia would be home. If he remembered correctly, this would be when Vodia would go for his afternoon runs, thus giving him free time to get home and explain to his father his plan, as well as possibly hide Kayana and Raian before Vodia got home. 

"75 dollars and 40 cents please." The driver requested Ionido, but Kallm placed his hand on the older ones forearm. Ionido nodded and got off while Kallm reached for his wallet. Once the man was paid, he got out and helped in the removal of the bags, and after placing them in front of the house, he left. 

The family stood outside of his house and Kallm stared up at it, the multi-story house for once loomed over him and the brown brick and plaster house seemed to seethe in anger at what he was about to do. The schist columns in front seemed to shake and Kallm extended his hand to touch it, to soothe it so he could justify his actions. I'm here to help. He mentally whispered to his home.  Feeling a soft pull on his sleeve, he looked down at Corin who cocked her head at him. When Kallm responded with a smile, she gestured to the door with her eyes. They were all waiting for him to knock. 

He glanced past them all to see Kayana, who also looked up at the house with intense interest. He walked to her then, pulling her scarf down over her face lightly. She was confused. But Kallm could explain later.

Walking past Corin, Kallm extended his hand to her bag, and pulling it behind him with his, he walked to the front door, the wood panelling looked to be vibrating, waiting. Extended his finger carefully, he pressed the doorbell. The chimes within the triple-story house echoed until it seemed someone was coming to the door. By the calculated but heavy footsteps that Kallm could hear, he could only deduce that it was his father. 

The door opened and Kallm was met by a hearty laugh and forcefully pulled into the chest of the man who raised him.

"Beta! You are back! What a surprise!" Kallm breathed a sigh of relief, before hugging him back. He knew his father could not see behind him to the waiting guests, a plus of being taller than him. But he knew he couldn't put it off for too long. 

"Pita Ji, how are you?" Kallm asked politely, but knew he wouldn't get an answer when he was moved to the side, and Madkun had extended his hand towards Ionido. 

"How rude of my son Ji. I am Madkun Lakin, Vodia and Kallm's father." Madkun's statement demanded a reply, and Ionido was not one to fall short.

"Pleasure Lakin Ji, I am Iondio Nalad," Ionido was cut short when he noticed the motion Kallm was making behind Madkun.

"Pita Ji, we are all tired. May we come in and get settled?" Kallm knew he was pushing his father's buttons and that if this were any other meeting, he would be considered unforgivably rude, but he couldn't risk this meeting outside, where Vodia could come back any second. 

Turning Madkun around with an arm around his shoulder, Kallm led him inside, pulling his luggage behind him and into the lounge. He waited for everyone to be seated before he noticed Kayana already moving to kitchen, taking Corin and Mednia with her. Kayana was truly raised as a lovely lady. Kallm nodded his thanks and waited until the women had disappeared into the next room. 

Kallm kneeled in front of his father who seemed to be taking stock of the other's who had invaded his home, but his good breeding forbid him from asking or throwing them out. His good breeding is what Kallm was praying on. 

"Pita Ji, this is Ionido Nalad Ji, and his wife Caterina Ji." Kallm pointed to each of them in turn, before he got to Raian. It seemed his father didn't recognise them yet, and Kallm wanted to keep it this calm. 

"And this, this is Raian." Raian got up then, and put forth his hand to shake with Madkun, who also stood, shaking it and resuming his seated position. Kallm held his breath. It couldn't have been this easy.

"Kallm." Kallm could hear the poorly hidden anger in Madkun's voice and winced. At least he was expecting it. 

"Is this Raian?" The tone of voice Madkun used had Kallm knowing that he had made the connection. 

"Pita Ji, before you," But Kallm couldn't finish.

Madkun stood up, fuming and his chest heaved with every breath that he took, his anger only getting worse the longer he looked at the also now standing Raian, who had his hands out in front of him.

"You brought him into our home? Into Vodia's home?" His father wasn't screaming, but his quiet anger was scarier than any other. Kallm stood too then, positioning himself between his Madkun and Raian, nodding at Ionido to keep sitting. He didn't need to make this a standoff. 

"Pita Ji, please. Just listen to me." Madkun tried to look around Kallm, but Kallm's body shielded Raian from his piercing glare. "Please."

Madkun's eyes focussed on Kallm, his son whom he had not raised to betray his family. So he must have a good reason for bringing that man here. 

"Speak."

And so Kallm began from the beginning. His plan for helping his brother by bringing Kayana back. "Raian also has someone Pita Ji, her name is Mednia. Kayana is here Pita Ji, she needs Vodia bhaiya." 

"And how does Corin come into this?" 

This was the hard part and this is also where Kallm didn't know if his father would agree. They had to continue the farce for as long as it took for Vodia to accept Kayana, for Kayana to win him over without telling him that she was here. She wanted to prove to him that she could fight for him too. 

"She is the reason we will use to convince Bhaiya for why everyone is here." 

Madkun sat himself down, crossing his hands on his lap as he judged the idea and those involved. 

"Are you sure about this Kallm? Did Kayana agree to this?" 

Kallm nodded to his father. Kayana had realised her mistake, and also that she couldn't let this go on any longer. She had to at least tell Vodia how she felt and let him decide.

"Very well Beta. I will support you. But if this doesn't work, I will also not stop Vodia." His glare was directed at Raian then who swallowed before nodding his head and averting his eyes after Madkun's vicious words.  

The front door heavily swung open and those in the lounge looked towards the opening. Vodia stood there, his eyes taking into Kallm's kneeling form and his father's angry display. But it seemed the next person he saw was Raian, already looking guilty. 

Kallm could only guess what was going through his head and could only justify what had happened with what he would have done had Corin been in Kayana's place. Which is why he couldn't fault Vodia for what he did next.

The older Lakin brother charged forward until he was face to face with a now standing Raian, his momentum giving him more force to propel his fist into Raian's jaw. The blow sent the shorter one back onto the couch he was sitting on and the sound of skin on skin echoed around the house. 

Vodia's eyes were alight with murderous rage.

⚔ The Right Way ⚔