॥The Wrong One॥

"Vodia, where are we going?"  Kayana giggled into Vodia's hands which were covering her eyes. 

Vodia had woken her up early after they had once again slept on the couch, nudging her even before the sun was up and only giving her enough time for a quick shower before he was already ushering her to the purring car. 

"Trust me Kayana."

I already do. But Kayana simply nodded, the smile on her face growing as she felt the road with her feet every step she took. The fresh smell of the air around her mixed with the sweet smell of flowers hinted that Kayana and Vodia must have been in some sort of a park, but the lack of human sounds confused her. If they were in a park, wouldn't there be other people around? 

At that moment, Kayana's foot slipped and she let out a squeal, forgetting that Vodia was right behind her. Vodia caught Kayana, her heart racing underneath his fingertips on her wrist. He could feel her heavy breathing on his chest and he knew he was matching her breath, though for perhaps a very different reason.

But the one thing that truly made Vodia smile was that Kayana's eyes were still closed. Even in the moment where she could have been seriously injured, she trusted him that he'd be there. And that made him feel that this was all worth it. 

Even if he couldn't have her love, he had something not many did. Her full trust.

He gently pushed her up so she was standing again, yet kept his palm on the small of her back to guide her. They were nearly there. His other hand held the handle of the picnic basket he had asked the hotel to keep ready for them so that they were ready to go so early. He needed this to be perfect. It was his last chance. 

Removing his palm from Kayana's back, Vodia separated the foliage and waited for Kayana to step through before he held her hand, pulling her forward to the middle of the space. Still not giving the order to open her eyes, Vodia began spreading out the picnic sheet the hotel had also packed, making sure to use the beautiful little stones as weights on the corners. Then, he pulled Kayana onto the sheet, seating her, then finally letting her open her eyes.

Kayana's eyes widened as she realised where they were. They were in a park, but more correctly, it was a reserve. She was surrounded by all sorts of flora, the beautiful trees swaying in the wind and the plants living harmoniously with the larger structures, but there were also animals.

She could see a flock of peacocks pecking about a few metres away, their amazing feathers spread out, casting an array of patterns on the green grass. Behind her there were deer, grazing gently on their food, their eyes wide and innocent, reminding Vodia of Kayana's very own. The light streamed through the openings in the trees, casting an enchanting glow on the world around her and Kayana could not believe Vodia would bring her here.

This was her dream.

Looking back at Vodia with tears in her eyes, Kayana clutched his hand, his large one encased in both her smaller palms. "Thank you, so much Vodia." Kayana could no longer find the words to explain her excitement, she just knew that Vodia knew her better than anyone in a long time. 

Vodia simply nodded and smiled, but his smile spoke a million words to Kayana, and it was at the moment that she realised, Vodia didn't need gratitude or attention for what he did. He did it for her. Selflessly and full heartedly. 

And she also realised that this was the reason she couldn't stay with him.

He deserved so much better than someone who couldn't give him the same unconditional love back. Kayana knew she would try, but also that she would not succeed. She was tainted. She knew she no longer loved Raian, but she couldn't con Vodia into staying with her when she could not give him what he needed. Someone who loved him as much as he loved her. 

That's why she couldn't let him have this final day. 

Standing up, Kayana turned away from Vodia's confused gaze as she wiped the tears from her eyes. Taking a shaky deep breath, Kayana steeled herself for what she was about to do. She couldn't believe that she had matured so much from the short time with Vodia, but she would forever be grateful.

"Vodia, I would like to go home."

Vodia jumped up, his eyes flashing from confused to worried as he laid his hands on Kayana's shoulders, turning her to face him. 

"What's wrong love? Are you feeling ill?" Vodia had already begun lifting a hand to her forehead when Kayana took a step back, but not before noticing the hurt on Vodia's face at her blatant rejection. His arms dropped to his side as Vodia finally realised what she meant.

"I want to go home Vodia. To Raian." Every word Kayana spoke was like a knife to her gut but she had to continue. She would not condemn Vodia to a life with her. She was not what he needed. 

Vodia took a step back as if he had been physically wounded, his mind also registering that even the animals and the gentle breezes had been silenced, as if they were waiting and watching what was playing out. 

"I had only asked for three days Kayana. Three days." He repeated. He needed to get through to her. These three days were supposed to last the rest of his days. He needed to see Kayana happy with him for three days. He needed to show her she could be happy with him if she just stayed!

"I know Vodia, and I'm sorry. But I think it's time for me to return to my home." Kayana continued, and with every line she spoke, she saw Vodia fold more in on himself. She didn't realise that, as Vodia had helped her, she had also helped Vodia. 

Vodia abruptly turned around. All fight deflating from his shoulders as he began packing up what he had begun to set out. The chef prepared food all going untouched as he haphazardly threw them back into the picnic basket.

He didn't turn around as he began packing the picnic sheet, for if he had, he would've seen Kayana's broken expression watching him, her left hand half extended to touch him. To feel him and tell him he would always have her. But she had to be strong, and so she withdrew her hand, wiping the tears from her face and began thinking of the life she was giving back to Vodia. He would be happy. 

Vodia finished packing and extended his hand, still not looking at her. Once Kayana had placed her hand in his, he began walking back down the path. He no longer turned to just see her smile, or the way her hair blew in the wind. He simply did his gentleman duty of bringing her to the car safely. And he did. 

Opening her door for her, Vodia finished settling the picnic basket back in the boot and got into the car. He started the engine but remained unmoving. Kayana had become so accustomed to Vodia that she could tell that if she looked at him, his jaw would be clenched, and his eyebrows would be twitching as he fought hard not to show her that he was hurt. Even when she was destroying his heart, he still cared enough to try not to let her see the hurt that she had caused. 

They remained silent, sitting, waiting in the car as Vodia clenched and unclenched the fist Kayana could not see. He didn't want to do this, but on the other hand, he had to.

This was her choice and he had done all that he could. He had tried to show her what her life would be like with him, but she did not care. And so he would abide by his word. 

He would take her home.

॥The Wrong One॥