॥The Wrong One॥

Corin searched the rooms for Kayana like a mad woman. Flinging doors open in a highly unlady-like fashion. Where could she be? I need to tell her!

Pushing another door open, Corin sighed in frustration. How far could she have gotten in this house?

Pulling the door closed, she pulled her scarf back up upon her head. If I can't find her, I'll never forgive myself.

"Corin beti? Are you not with Kayana?" Shrinty's voice penetrated Corin's reverie.

Corin's eyes widened. Turning quickly, she raised her eyes, an action she had never dreamed about doing.

"Aunty ji, I need you to tell me exactly where Kayana is. I've been looking for her for so long. I need to tell her something important."

"Beti, she's already in the mandap. The ceremony is nearly over."

Corin felt as if her world was slowly crumbling around her. She was too late. How was she suppose to live with this guilt? This is your fault her inner voice chided her. You brought this upon yourself, and now, you've hurt the only person who ever bothered to care about you.

Shaking her head, she cleared the thoughts. She had to tell Kayana. Even if she hated her forever.

Bowing her head, Corin muttered a quick thank you to Shrinty and proceeded to walk down the decorated hallway. I'll tell her.

॥The Wrong One॥

Kayana sat in her place on the stool on the left of Vodia. Her parents flanked her on her side, while Vodia's parents were on his. The priest continued reciting his mantra's for the couple and though Kayana didn't want to admit it, she knew her family had done a wonderful job in organising this wedding. Now if only it was Raian she was sitting next to ...

"Ryda ji, would you place the girls palm on top of the boys?"

Glancing to her left, she saw her mother crying. This was the heart of the ceremony, where Kayana would officially be given to Vodia, hence her father placing her hand in his. After that, the couple were instructed to stand and a scarf was tied between them expressing their union, and then the seven rounds began.

The seven rounds stood for the seven lives the couple would spend together, each round holding a different promise. Promises Kayana thought she'd make with Raian. Furiously blinking back tears, Kayana followed Vodia dutifully, as she now would. He was her husband and she belonged to him.

Soon enough, the ritual was finished and Kayana was being ushered off the stage and back down the aisle she had come from. It was time for her to get ready to leave the house, as a married woman.

As her mother escorted Kayana to her bedroom, Kayana couldn't help but think, where had Corin been? Did she hate her that much, that she refused to be there at her wedding? Kenta soon left Kayana after helping her get changed into an orange ghagra, leaving her bangles and hair done up.

As soon as she was alone, Kayana opened the drawer, pulling out Raian's letter. Holding it in her hands, she froze. Did she really want to read this now? Would it make a difference? But she already knew the answer. She needed to know the truth, and she knew, somehow, that this letter would make everything clear. She needed closure.

Hearing the door click lightly, Kayana quickly hid the letter and looked up, seeing Corin's reflection in the mirror. Turning in her seat, she stood up and extended her arms towards her sister.

Corin ran at Kayana, embracing her as though the last time, which it might well be. Shaking her head, she hugged her closer. Tears soaking through both girls clothing, but neither cared. Not at that moment.

"K.. Kayana, I- I need to tell you," Taking a deep breath, Corin tried to steady herself. Kayana had a right to know. "I need to tell you something."

Raising an eyebrow, Kayana lead them both to the bed, her social practices still strong as she lowered herself gracefully down, her back ramrod straight as she tucked one ankle behind the other. Leaning forward, she grasped Corin's hand in both of hers, coaxing her to continue. The letter could wait.

But when Corin began speaking, Kayana let go.

-_-_-_-

"Ji, Corin is here to see you."

Ryda put down his glasses and newspaper. Corin? What business would she have with him?

"Thank you Kenta, let her in please."

The two shared a gracious smile as Kenta then bowed her head and walked elegantly out of the room.

Now, Ryda wasn't one to believe in luck and destiny and love but since meeting Kenta, he began to believe all that he was told was foolish. Grinning lightly to himself, he got comfortable, waiting for Corin to make her appearance.

Her mauve scarf settled neatly on top of her head, the girl entered the room.

"Ryda ji, I have something to tell you regarding my brother, Raian, and Kayana."

Ryda's brows furrowed in confusion. What could the possible connection be between the two?

"Please sit Corin," He offered before continuing, "What are you talking about beti?"

Ryda listened patiently, his jaw tightening as Corin explained all about Kayana and Raian's secret relationship. From the beginning, when both were hesitant in fear of the society and to the present, where they had even kissed.

Corin told Ryda all about Kayana's secret love.

When Corin had finished, she sat with her head hanging low. She still did not fully understand what she may have done.

"Corin beti, before you leave, tell me, why did you tell me this, knowing what it would do Kayana?"

Lifting her head, her eyes still downcast, she answered him. If she had just looked up, Corin would've seen the flames blazing within Ryda's usually calm chocolate pools. Maybe if she did she would know what the consequences of her actions would be, the intensity of the punishments that would now befall Kayana. But she didn't.

"I want no shame to fall upon this family."

As Corin stood up to leave, Ryda spoke the sentence that would change his daughters life.

"Thank you Corin. I will see to this."

With one final nod, Corin left the room.

-_-_-_-_

Kayana stood, leaning on the window sill that looked out towards where the tent was set up for the men outside. Corin was behind this? She was the reason for the separation?

"Kayana, you don't understand-"

Lifting her palm, Kayana stopped Corin from speaking anything else.

"No Corin. You don't understand. How could you do this to me? To your own brother?" Tears flowed freely down Kayana's face, as she turned to face her. Is this what it felt like? To be completely and utterly betrayed by the person you thought you could trust with your life?

"I just didn't want your family to-"

"No, that's not what you wanted! You were jealous!" The fight seemed to leave Kayana as her legs fell out from under her and for the first time in her life, she fell, in a heap to the floor. "You were jealous. Of your own brother Corin. Of your own brother."

Shaking her head, Kayana continued to cry. Her arms folding around her holding her together for if she let go, she was sure she'd break.

"I know." Corin finally whispered. "I just, I needed you back. You were my friend first Kayana!"

Kayana couldn't believe what she was hearing. Corin thought this was about her? She would risk keeping her unhappy, as long as she was her friend? How could someone she considered her sister hate her so? Corin was the last person she'd think of that would hurt her like this.

"Are you mad? You don't know what you've done Corin! You've not only destroyed me, but you've destroyed your brother's life, you've destroyed Vodia's life! You've ruined more than just our friendship Corin." Using the back of her hand, Kayana wiped her face, she just couldn't believe this was happening. Corin was behind this. All of this. Corin was the reason.

Inhaling shakily, she pushed off her knees, so that she was standing again, her back straight. Extending her hand to her scarf, she pulled it back over her head, lifting her chin high.

"Leave Corin." Turning away from her, Kayana spoke the words that she knew would break her heart. "And don't come back."

She heard Corin take a step towards her, though her rustling of skirts stopped as suddenly as it begun. Kayana could sense Corin's indecision, but now, this was her choice. She didn't want someone like that in her life. Corin was the reason she wasn't with Raian right at that moment and she didn't know if she could ever forgive her.

"Leave." She whispered one last time, her voice hoarse from the effort it took to restrain her violent urges to shake some sense into Corin. And that's all it took.

In the next second, the door shut behind Corin as she hurried away.

Closing her eyes against the dam hidden behind her lids, she scolded herself as she felt two drops escape down her face. Opening her eyes, she spotted the corner of the letter hidden out from inside her drawer.

She had to read it.

॥The Wrong One॥

Tears obscured Corin's vision as she scurried from the room. Though she now felt more horrible than ever, she knew she had done the right thing. But why did the right thing feel so wrong? Still moving forward, she tried to search for her room fruitlessly. It would be better for everyone.

Wind rushed past her as her cheek collided with the floor, her foot entangling itself within her skirt. The fall was the final straw for her and she dragged herself to the wall, leaning against it, hoping to borrow some of its rigid strength.

"Hello there Lavender, are you crying again?"

Corin's tears did not stop as she pulled her scarf up again, turning her face whilst standing up. She winced as her hip throbbed. Lavender? Who's that?

"I think you're mistaken ji, my name is Corin Nalad, daughter of Ionido Nalad." She replied, forcing her voice to be steady, hiding her face with her scarf while she attempted to control herself.

"Hello Corin Nalad, daughter of Ionido Nalad," Corin could hear the smile within his voice as he spoke, teasing her but not mocking. "I am Kallm Lakin, son of Madkun Lakin."

Corin could tell that Kallm was simply teasing her with his introduction, but he didn't know what she was going through, what she now had to do.

"How are you Kallm ji? I hope you are enjoying the wedding." Politeness was the one thing that Kayana had taught her, and Corin would rather die than disappoint her again.

"I'm well Corin, but you, on the other hand, are not. What's wrong my Lavender?"

Corin's hip and ankle seemed to throb with more intensity as she stood there.

"I'm perfectly well, thank you Kallm ji," Bowing her head, she turned slightly, "If you'll excuse me, I have some tasks that need attending too. I hope you enjoy the rest of your visit."

Leaving, Corin kept her head looking down, concentrating on not limping. Finding her room, she slipped inside, and pulled out her suitcase. Packing everything, Corin finally sat down, tucking her hands under her thighs as she gave her aching legs a break. Leaning to the side, she popped out a Panadol tablet and dry swallowed it. That should last a while.

Hearing footsteps pass her room, her thoughts wandered to the man who kept finding her.

Who was Kallm Lakin? And why was he always there when she was vulnerable?

Though she felt slightly guilty for thinking about a boy after what happened with Kayana, Corin knew she was missing something.

Shaking her head, she pushed the thought out of her head. Standing up again, she grabbed her suitcase, rolling it behind her to the door. Glancing one more time behind her, she scanned the room. Then closed the door behind her.

Stepping outside, she stood on the sidewalk waiting for her father when another car pulled up.

Sticking his head out the window, Corin first saw a mop of black hair, then a smiling face.

"Going somewhere Lavender?"

Then it dawned on her.

Kallm Lakin, son of Madkun Lakin was Vodia Lakin's brother.

॥The Wrong One॥

Rereading the letter in her hands, Kayana lowered her hand from her mouth. A faint knock sounded on her door three times resulting in Kayana quickly folding the letter and throwing it into the open bag on her bed. Making sure the letter was hidden well, she glanced upwards, asking for the strength to carry on as she walked to the door, opening it.

"Ready beti?" Kenta enquired as she glided into the room, her hands clasped across her stomach as she watched Kayana, her only child, her treasured daughter embark on the journey that will be the rest of her life.

Taking a deep breath Kayana looked into her mother's eyes.

"Ready Mata ji."

॥The Wrong One॥

"Welcome to your new home, Kayana." Madkun Lakin's voice resounded around the chocolate coloured living room.

Holding her mother's hand, Kayana had just entered into her future home, where she would now possibly spend the rest of her life. On her right, Vodia stood, his back erect with social courtesy as his eyes were trained forward, and beside him stood Kallm Lakin, the youngest of the Lakin brothers, pity swimming in his eyes as he looked at his brother's new bride.

"Vodia beta, show Kayana to your room."

Kenta slowly let go of her daughters hand as she was led away. Blinking rapidly, she tried to maintain the image of the perfect wife infront of Lakin ji, the action much harder than would be expected. Stepping back so that she was now behind Ryda, she adjusted her scarf and lowered her head. Standing now in the house of her child's inlaws, the need for propriety was the strongest here than anywhere else, and she resigned herself to that fact.

Kayana was no longer only her daughter.

Feeling her mother step hesitantly away from her, Kayana chanced a look back and saw her mother retreating to the safety her husband provided. As always. The bitter thought shocked Kayana, how could she think that?

With her mind elsewhere, the new Mrs. Lakin walked straight into the back of her husband. Lowering her head even more, she mumbled a quick apology as she stepped back, giving more space than she needed.

Vodia straightened up, with Kayana's head now only reaching his shoulders, and, using one hand, pushed open the mahoganey coloured door, the other hand still resting in his pocket.

"This is our room." He spoke shortly, though the sound of his voice seemed to bounce off the walls.

Our room. Kayana knew what that meant.

Stepping daintily inside, she cast her eyes around the area. A black framed, four poster bed stood in the middle of the room. Silver curtains hung off the testers, acting as a canopy for the persons within as a luscious maroon duvet decorated the bed itself, her suit case laying on top of it. Pillows of white, red and black were thrown over the bed, but seemed to match the neatness of the room just fine, which caused Kayana to wonder. How was his room so tidy?

Next to the bed was a set of black wooden bedside tables, one on each side. The left side, she assumed was Vodia's side, had a silver alarm clock with the numbers 11:57pm clearly visible while the right hand side drawer had a small white lamp, which was currently switched on.

Stepping further in, she noticed a matching tall boy to the right side of the door whereas two doors were situated to the left. Making her way towards them, she realised that one door led to tiled bathroom, much like her own but this one was accompanied with deep maroon towels where the other door opened to a spacious walk-in-robe.

Gingerly making her way to touch the bed post nearest to her, she heard Vodia's clothes rustle as he, presumably, turned to lock the door.

Kayana knew what was to happen now. She was lectured on it many days before the wedding had actually happened.

A gentle hand pushed Kayana slightly to sit on the bed as muscular legs surrounded her own slender ones. Calloused fingers pressed upwards on her chin as she was forced to look up into the eyes of her husband while his other fingers held the bedpost her own had recently vacated.

Cool, minty breath blew into her face as Vodia drew himself closer to her, his eyes level with hers.

His brown marbles met her bright hazel spheres and Kayana gasped, immediately dropping her head again.

"I, I need to change." Rushing towards her bed, she grabbed the closest pieces of clothing and fled, as lady like as she could, to the bathroom, shutting the door behind her and leaning against it.

Vodia ran a hand through his midnight hair, dropping his top half on to the bed. What was he thinking? That was much too fast for her! Sighing heavily, he pulled himself up and grabbed Kayana's bag. The least he could was place it away for her, couldn't he? Placing the bag in the walk-in-robe he returned to see an envelope laying on the floor. A letter? Shaking his head he picked it up, I'll be having a word with Kallm for throwing my mail on the floor next time he thought as he made the effort of seating himself on his bed.

No name? Odd.

Slipping his shoes off, he opened the letter. Mid way through unlacing his right shoe, he stopped, his laces hung tangled as he continued reading, his face gradually tightening into an emotionless mask.

Okay breathe Kayana mentally chanted as she stood infront of the mirror. This is what you were expected to do. This is your life. Tears sprung into Kayana's eyes as she realised that this was her life from now on. Pleasing her husband and her inlaws. No more Raian and, as much as it hurt to say it, no more Corin.

Standing straighter, she slipped off her ghagra and changed into a long, maroon wrap around dress, pulling it's matching sheer cover over her shoulders. Untying her hair, Kayana let the brown waves crash against her shoulder blades before she swept her brush through them, slowly, biding her time.

A small click bounced around the tiled room as she placed her hairbrush down on the counter.

This was it.

Turning towards the door, she sent a quick prayer up to any god that was listening. Please let this be the right thing.

The door creaked lightly as she pushed it open, immediatel spotting a lean figure stretched out on the bed. Lifting the scarf above her head, Kayana attempted to close the bathroom door as carefully as she could.

Spotting the tanlged shoe left on her new husband's foot, Kayana scurried forward, kneeling infront of him as she reached out her hands to remove it. Vodia jerked with her slight touch, causing Kayana to look up shocked, her eyes wide as she stared back at the large man now looming infront of her.

"Stand up." He ordered. Quietly yet stern.

Her eyes plastered to the floor, Kayana stood up, also taking a step back from his threatening figure.

A gasp escaped her as he grabbed her arm with a force that was gentle but firm, pulling her towards him with one hand, his other lifting a letter in her line of sight. Another gasp resonated through the empty space between them as she noticed the crumpled paper. Raian's letter.

Her arm was left feeling cold as Vodia let go to pace around her.

"What is this?" His gruff voice sounded out.

Turning to look at him, she could see the anguish in his eyes, hurt that she never wished to lay upon anyone. Hurt that was all Corin's fault.

Balling her hands into fists, she shook her hair out of her face, and looked up towards the only man who her heart should now belong to.

"Vodia ji-" She began, her soft voice barely heard over his angry pacing. Vodia wasn't even looking at her anymore as he wore down the floor.

Reaching her arm out, she tried to stop this man from driving himself into a rage.

He jerked out of her reach, his eyes narrowed but burning with an unfamiliar pain. Vodia was a fair man, but he did not tolerate disloyalty.

"Tell me. What is this?" His voice rose a notch as he tried to reel his anger in. Vodia Lakin did not show the extent of his emotions. Not for some girl. Not for anyone.

"A letter." Kayana meekly replied. She knew what would happen now. She had never seen it happen, but she had heard about it. The consequence of a disobediant wife.

Tilting her neck back, she straightened her spine. She deserved this. Closing her eyes, she waited for him to strike her as her father had. It was only right. Corin had done the deed, but Kayana deserved the punishment.

Vodia's eyes took in Kayana's action.

"What are you doing?"

Opening her eyes, she looked at Vodia, his arms crossed infront of his chest.

"Aren't you...?"

His eyes widened as he understood her implications.

Pulling her towards himself, he looked at her face, her eyes wide with fear. Fear of him, he realised. And guilt. She was hiding guilt.

Pasting a disgusted look on his face, he dropped her arm, passing by her so close, that she was forced to take a step back.

"It doesn't mean anything Vodia ji." Kayana spoke. Though the words pained her to speak, she realised that she couldn't do that to Vodia, she couldn't take out her own pain on him. He didn't deserve it.

Turning around sharply, Vodia stood a hair away from Kayanas form, still facing the bed.

Spinning her to face him, he replied, "It sure doesn't. You are now my wife. And I expect you to be loyal. Do you understand?"

Nodding, a few tears escaped Kayana's tightly closed eyes. This was for the best.

Shaking her once, Vodia spoke again. "Not good enough. Do you understand?"

"Yes Vodia Ji."

"Good." And he crumpled the paper. The only paper she had left of her Raian. The last material rememberance of her first love.

Seeing it drop to the floor, Kayana knew what was to happen next. Sitting down on the bed, she slowly scooted up it, towards the headrest. Laying herself down, she folded her hands on her stomach.

She heard his remaining shoe thud as he flung it off, his tie coming off next, thrown around one of the best posts.

Feeling the bed dip by her feet, Kayana assumed that Vodia had now sat down. Now would be when she would become his wife. Physically.

Holding back tears, she readied herself for what she knew would come.

A feather light feeling touched her hands, causing Kayana to pull them away. She felt his breath decorate her gown as he made his way towards her face.

The kisses on her body stopped suddenly, as did her tears.

The weight near her feet lifted, and she pulled herself on her elbows. Watching Vodia's back as he walked away, she wondered what she did wrong.

"Vodia ji? Have I done something to displease you?"

The small click of the bathroom door closing indicated the last sighting of Vodia Kayana would have for the rest of the night

॥The Wrong One॥

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