॥The Wrong One॥

Vodia pulled up outside the boat lodgings, his black purring car seemingly out of the place as people continued to gawk at it. Vodia had not turned it off, instead remained seated, trying to think of what to do next. He had already brought Kayana here, but he didn’t know if he could go through with it, even if he did promise. 

Kayana also stayed seated in the car, her heartbeat thumping loudly in her chest and she rubbed her increasingly moist hands on her skirt. She didn’t know for certain she was doing the right thing, and that was what was causing the most hesitance. She would happily go along with Raian if it meant that she was assured that Vodia would have the life and wife that he deserved. Except there was no way to guarantee that anyone after her would be perfect for him. She felt a pang in her chest at the thought of someone else being subjected to his thoughtfulness, the picnics and being able to wake up next to him in the mornings. She gasped as she realised the pain was very real and shut her eyes, hoping not to bring too much attention to herself. She had to steel herself and remain with her decision to give Vodia the best chance she could at finding happiness. She had been selfish enough. 

Risking a sideways glance at his tall frame next to her, she found that he couldn’t look at her, instead looking out the window to the cluster of boat homes. She gulped, one of those homes would be Raian's. And hers, she realised. Taking one last feeble look at Vodia, she moved to unbuckled her seatbelt. The sound echoed within the car and it jolted Vodia out of what ever reverie he had found himself in. 

Chancing a look at Kayana, Vodia’s eyes would not leave her face. He was consumed with anger. Why couldn’t she have given him the three days that she had promised him? That was all he had asked. He had given up his home, his parents and any shred of dignity his family name had to reunite his wife with her lover. And when he had asked for three days, she couldn’t bare to spend them with him? After all that he had done for her? But he had done it of his own free will, he remembered, he had done it to keep her happy. Because he obviously cared for her far more than she cared for him. 

Vodia knew his anger may be unreasonable, but he couldn’t help it. He had only asked her for three days. After that, she was free to live her life with Raian and he would not interfere. But he wasn’t even given that pleasure. She was being selfish and he would tell her. 

As her sigh resonated within the close area, Vodia turned to Kayana with a fire in his eyes that she had never seen before. Come to think of it, she had never genuinely seen Vodia angry. Upset, perhaps, but never angry. Vodia gripped her elbow, staying her before she attempted to jump out the door, and silenced her with his hurt gaze. 

“Three days, Kayana. Three days for the rest of your life,” He swallowed hard, not breaking eye contact nor letting the extent of his hurt show on his face. “I moved heaven and earth to find you your love, and you wouldn’t even spare a whole three days for mine? I truthfully thought that perhaps I could’ve changed your mind in those three days. That I could’ve finally shown you that you were making a bad decision. I wanted to show you the life you could have, by staying with me. I knew you loved him, but I thought you may fall in love with me,” Vodia’s arm trembled slightly before he steadied it. “But I was wrong.” 

Kayana’s heart broke and she reached forward to comfort him, but Vodia moved away, the action hurting Kayana more than she cared to admit. 

“I don’t want your pity Kayana. I loved you.” Vodia finished, before pulling out his wallet and handing her a note with Raian’s address on it. 

“Take it.” 

Kayana’s own hand shook as she grasped the note in two fingers. Once upon a time she would’ve simply ran from the car, note be damned. But today, today she wanted to set that note on fire and remain with Vodia. But she also knew that she had done too much damage to hope to be forgiven simply by apologising. 

 Kayana nodded before she turned away to open the door.  

“And Kayana?” Kayana stopped abruptly, her heart jumping in hopes that he may ask her to stay, though if he did, she didn’t know what she would do. 

“Yes?” Her voice came out small, but she was glad she spoke. 

“I’ll be leaving tonight, by 7pm on Balu airways.”

Kayana nodded and stepped out of the vehicle, making her way to the other side. Though Vodia never left the car, she knew he would wait until she was safely with Raian before leaving her. Even now he was the perfect gentleman. 

Kayana stepped forward, onto the floating jetty and continued on, willing herself not to look back. She religiously counted the boat house numbers until she found the one she was looking for. 

Number 6. 

Taking a deep breath, she imagined how Vodia would have been next to her, holding her hand and rubbing her back. Calming her with no thought to how he would’ve looked. The very thought of him calmed her nerves and she reached out a shaky hand to the door, knocking thrice before she stepped back. 

Out of the corner of her eyes she could see the black panther like car waiting on the road, its headlights off and the driver unseen within the tinted windows. Breathing out, Kayana knew she was doing this for the best. 

She would set him free.

A second later she heard the door open and she was abruptly pulled into a too tight embrace. 

“Kayana my love.” The voice whispered in her ear, but it was too sharp. The voice too high from the usual smooth baritone she was used to. 

She lifted a palm to pat the figure on the back, feeling the average muscles. The back she was used to had been taut and lean. Oh how she missed Vodia already. 

Chancing a look back outside, she saw that the car, and its driver, had already left. She had hoped for a moment that Vodia would come with her, snatch her from Raian and take her with him, but he had already done so much. Kayana knew she could not continue to ask things of him that she was not ready to reciprocate. 

Attempting to settle into the life she had chosen, instead of pushing Raian away, she hugged him back, though not completely feeling herself. She realised a part of her would always be with Vodia. 

Raian moved back to look at her face, and Kayana attempted a smile at his look of concern. 

“Raian.” She whispered. Thought his name did not have the same effect on her that Vodia’s had. 

Raian seemed to be content with Kayana’s actions and he began leaning in. Kayana shut her eyes as she felt Raian’s rough lips move against her own. She knew that she had chosen Raian over Vodia, but she could not forget the things he made her feel or the way that he touched her. She could not forget him. 

Lightly pushing Raian back, Kayana stepped into the house completely. Though it was spacious, Kayana did not know how she felt about living here, even if it was with Raian. 

Raian’s arms came around Kayana a moment later, his chin resting on her shoulder.

“When we finally get married, we will move to a more accommodating arrangement, I assure you love.” 

Pecking her on the cheek, Raian moved forward, his brown robe brushing past her skirt. “I’ll put on the kettle.” And without waiting for a reply, he had gone. 

This is what Kayana had chosen. 

This is how Kayana would live.

 ॥The Wrong One॥