⚔ The Right Way ⚔

Kallm was confused. He didn't know why Corin's name had such an effect on Vodia.

"Bhaiya? What's wr-"

"I have to go Kallm. Remember, go back to class tomorrow and apologise."

And then the line cut off.

Kallm pulled the phone down and looked at it. The length of the call flashed at him and Kallm ran his hand through his hair. What had just happened? Was Vodia mad? Kallm would understand if he were, he was sent here to study, even though he may have had an additional reason for choosing Phaer.

Kallm looked down into the river and watched the waves ripple the reflection of the moon, his own silhouette casting a shadow on the otherwise clear water. Letting out a long breath Kallm began thinking about what he was going to do now.

It was only logical to begin talking to Corin about what he wanted to do, he wanted to bring Corin home. To know more about her and introduce her to his family, as his family.

A smile graced Kallm's lips and the night air was refreshing as he felt the stress leave him. Vodia was always cleaning up Kallm's messes, and Kallm could not have asked for a better brother. But when he needed me, I couldn't do anything. The abrupt thought made Kallm clench his fist and his body tensed. He hated himself for not being able to help his brother when he had returned after leaving Kayana. He didn't know how his brother had done it, Kallm knew, now that he had found Corin, he couldn't possibly leave her. Vodia had been his self but his family knew something was wrong. That he had lost the love of his life.

Kallm slammed his hands on the railing and grit his teeth. Vodia hadn't told him what he was about to do, nor did he say how he found out, only that she had been betrayed and Vodia could not handle seeing his wife so upset being with him. Kallm only had a few weeks left before break and then he could finally go home, perhaps finally being able to make his brother happy.

Kallm took one more longing glance at the quiet space around him, taking in a big gulp of the crisp air and leaned down to pick up his bag. He was definitely going to come back here.

⚔ The Right Way ⚔

"Where would you like me to put these aunty ji?"

Lirat smiled sadly at the man who had become like a son to her in the short moment that he had been here. She gestured for him to drop the boxes and come to her, placing her hand on his head when he kneeled in front of her looking confused.

"Beta, your father was not mad? I know we cannot pay you for being here -"

Kallm began vigorously shaking his head. He could see Lirat's eyes filling with tears and placed his own hand of hers on his cheek.

"Aunty ji, I work here because I want to, not because I have no choice. You're my family now."

Lirat's tears began falling as she heard him refer to them as family and she leaned forehead to kiss Kallm on the forehead. Not having any children of her own, Lirat now felt she had two and she couldn't be any happier about it.

She saw Corin smiling behind them and gestured her forward too. Corin moved to kneel beside Kallm and Lirat saw them happy. Together. What would be better than that.

Lirat took both their hands and placed Corin's atop Kallm's. She saw Corin look at her, but not with a look of confusion as Lirat had expected, but more of fear. What did she have to fear? Kallm was no longer looking at Lirat, his eyes trained solely on the side Corin's face. Lirat knew she had made the right choice.

When Kallm looked back at Lirat, she nodded, dropping their hands and she noticed that Kallm held onto Corin's. Lirat began wheeling away, knowing that the two had some things to talk about.

Lirat may have been confined to a wheelchair, but that didn't mean she couldn't see the longing glances of Kallm to Corin, or how Corin would go out of her way to avoid Kallm in close spaces. She didn't know what Corin was afraid of, but Lirat would not let that get in the way of her niece's happiness.

"Well," Kallm began, hoping to make light of the situation, but stopped as he felt Corin jerk her hand away and stand up.

"I can not."

"Why not?" Kallm stood up too, walking towards her, placing his hand on her shoulder. Corin sounded afraid, and Kallm never wanted her to be afraid. Definitely not with him.

Corin began shaking her head, when her eyes landed on Kallm's bag on the counter. She saw the shining piece of gold before she realised what it was. The gold earring. The one she had lost on the day of Kayana's wedding. The day she had first met Kallm. She doubted he remembered her, but she remembered him, and she couldn't do this.

Kallm followed her eyes to his bag, and grinned. Maybe that would jog her memory.

"I looked for you, you know, after my brother's wedding."

Corin felt her whole world shift under her. Kallm could have continued speaking but none of it was registering with Corin. How could she not have known? She hadn't only stolen her best friends happiness, she had stolen this man's brother's happiness. This man who was willing to accept her. Who had looked for her. Who had waited for her.

Before it all went dark, Corin could only think one thing.

She hadn't wanted to believe it, she had tried very hard to forget what she knew, but she couldn't hide it forever.

Kallm was Vodia's brother.

⚔ The Right Way ⚔