Love of a Substitute

End of a contract

Kayla stared at her husband's back from a distance, Dev just got out of class after teaching. Who could guess Kayla's current heart, she had become quiet the last few times since her meeting with Nikayla the other day.

"Kayla," said Susan holding the shoulder of her friend who was busy pensive.

Kayla was silent.

"I know it's hard for you, but being honest and forthright with Nika about how you feel is good" Susan said.

Kayla shook her head, "I can't hurt Nika because of this, she hurts her pity if she has to know what my relationship with Bang Dev is like now," Kayla replied with a lethargic bow.

"Oh, this is complicated, man, but it's not all Kayla's fault, you have to realize that. What are you gonna do next?"

"Of course."

Kayla stared deep at the blackboard.

"Did Bang Dev say something about this?" ask Susan again.

"Maybe my husband is also confused right now, right you said we were really complicated when Nika came back. All got consideration especially the reason for the pain Nika suffered at this time."

"I knew Bang Dev couldn't have hurt Nika, I had to understand that" Kayla said.

"But your relationship?"

"Well, Bang Dev's parents don't like me where it might last long let alone Nika is back now, she's the woman of choice not me, right Mrs Lolita said, I'm just a substitute who gets paid for a certain time. So I should know myself whenever this can end."

Kayla looked down again.

"I don't like this Kayla, it's not you! You forget, you fought for Bang Dev's heart and it wasn't easy and you got it, you unyielding girl and then why now it's like you're a pessimistic Kayla" Susan said in an annoyed tone.

"So, it all feels free. I should have been self-conscious" Kayla replied, laying her head on Susan's arm.

"Who am I who Nikayla is, I lost far away Susan. Everyone knows that" Kayla continued.

"Bang Dev is my husband, but he belongs to his parents. And her parents want Nikayla not me."

Susan took a deep breath she made, she did not argue any more than just being able to rub Kayla's back attentively as a friend since the beginning of college.

Kayla walks down the corridor to the apartment unit she and her husband live in. He came home alone because Dev was having other business until he was going home late.

His steps stopped when he accidentally saw the mother-in-law was already standing before him.

"Mistress?" lirih Kayla was shocked.

"Well, if you come home soon, I want to talk to you!" lady Lolita's circus on the fixated Kayla did not dare to stare.

Kayla nervously nodded and took her in-laws into the apartment.

Kayla came from the kitchen with a cup of tea to entertain the mother of her husband.

"Please Mistress."

"Thank you, sit down!"

Kayla nodded and then sat down before the governor.

"Did I make a mistake?" ask Kayla slowly.

"No, I'm here to talk about something important about you and my son!"

Kayla had expected this, she nodded again while taking a deep breath.

"Is this about Nikayla coming back?"

"Good if you know!"

"But Madam, me and Bang Dev.." Kayla's words hung as her in-laws interrupted immediately.

"You and Dev are going to end before a year like the deal at the beginning, and the time is now! This is our contract at the beginning of the contract!" said Mrs Lolita in a flat tone while thrusting a map that has been plastered agreement letter there.

Kayla saw that she was not surprised because she also kept the letter according to the agreement.

"I'll pay for all your services, and you can get out of here. I don't have to explain why to you, this contract is over and you're free, I'll take care of the divorce!"

"Mrs don't be like this, me and Bang Dev......." Kayla began to stammer, she had not expected it to be this fast.

"I don't care what kind of relationship you have with Dev, all I care about is that marriage is just a contract and this contract I'm ending now! My son-in-law's candidate is back, you can go and be free."

"Mrs, I love your son!" kayla said, braced herself.

"That's your business, this wedding is just on paper. I paid you for a whole year, even though it's only been four months now, and now you're free."

"I understand Madam, but the problem is not that simple. Bang Dev and I loved each other, we decided to have a real marriage instead of a contract as it was written, Madam knew it," said Kayla, as her mother-in-law had lost her mind, he cannot just sit still and obey.

"I know Madam doesn't like me, but I beg you let's talk about this again, at least the decision is in Bang Dev's hands, because the one who is having this marriage is both of us."

"But I am the one who made this contract, all decisions are in my hands! My son is mine, I know what's best for him. There is no reason to love each other in a covenant."

Again, Lady Lolita spoke in a calm and flat tone. It was precisely Kayla who was confused how else she faced her father-in-law, Madam governor did not like it in the least.

Kayla looked at her mother-in-law with a meaningful look. "Didn't Madam place any importance on your son's happiness?"

"That's none of your business, I'm thankful enough for your services all along, like the fact that everyone knows that Nikayla who became Devano's wife is not you, and will stay that way. You're free now, your pay won't be less."

"I'm leaving now, so you can take your things and get out of my son's life."

"Thank you for the tea" continued Mrs Lolita after drinking tea made by Kayla.

Kayla was speechless, she could only stare at the passing of her in-laws with a bitter smile realizing her position was indeed only a temporary replacement in Devano's life.

He looked again at the contract on the table, the letter stating he had been a temporary wife within a year, and now with four months the contract expired for full payment.