The wedding was going to happen tomorrow.

Logically, Kala knew that. She understood that she would be pledging her life to the wonderful Rajan, and they would probably have many fat children if the gods blessed them. She understood all this because she went through this only a few weeks ago. The wedding had happened, it was simply not completed, so Kala was not afraid of growing cold feet. Whether or not she would have the guts to go through with it was not an issue. She would marry Rajan and that was that. But still, she couldn't bring herself to feel the weight of this choice.

It didn't matter if things were complicated now that she was... what she was. Someone who was connected with others. A sensate. It didn't matter if they were being hunted down. They hadn't found her yet, so Kala refused to let it change her life. And it didn't matter that she kissed Wolfgang. It didn't matter that she... had feelings for him.

(Even in her thoughts, she didn't want to say it. Not after what she saw.)

No! She screamed inside her head. She couldn't think of him anymore. She could feel him at the back of her head, as if waiting at the door for her to answer it. As far as Kala could tell, the connection was made when they thought about each other at the same time, or needed something desperately. Until then, she could only half feel the other seven. Like absentmindedly listening to music while you go about your day, she could tune them out, but the sensation was still there. She didn't want to let him in. Not now. Not after what happened at the last wedding.

Kala went to the bathroom and undressed, showered and threw on a bathrobe, her mind on autopilot. Maybe Rajan would be a good husband. He was already a good fiance. He was a good kisser, too. Kala tilted her head. Well... There were a few stolen kisses here and there when the aunties and co-workers weren't paying attention. Kala never rebuffed him- he was attractive, if.. a bit dull. There just wasn't that spark.

Kala passed her mirror, and she caught the reflection of Lito, that Mexican man. Damn! Kala shut down on her thoughts and the man was replaced with her own reflection. He must have been thinking of kissing Hernando. The name jumped into her head, followed by a mental flash of a hot man with glasses. She rubbed her temples. Suddenly knowing things was so annoying.

Moving on, Kala observed herself in the mirror. What did Rajan see in her? Perhaps it was because she wasn't exactly an impartial observer, but Kala couldn't see much special about herself. Her hair was curly and frizzy, and that was how she liked it, despite how her friends and hair stylist begged her to straighten it.

I have good skin, she thought to herself. And I suppose my breasts are nice. She looked down and petted her chest absentmindedly.

Would he be a good lover?

Would I be a good lover?

The thought made her blush. Nervousness crawled into her belly like a snake, curling up and infecting her with dread. She wasn't clueless, she was a doctor for crying out loud! But she was inexperienced, to say the least. To her embarrassment, just seeing a penis was enough to make her faint. Kala launched herself at her bed, landing face first into a pile of pillows.

"Why do you do this to yourself?"

Wolfgang was suddenly sitting next to her, on her bed. Despite herself, Kala felt her heart swell with relief, then immediately plummet as she realized what she did. She turned and rolled to face him. He was wearing a soft t-shirt and underwear- she could feel the fabric on her skin, as a memory.

Their eyes met, and Kala smiled softly but without much enthusiasm. "I will marry him. That's that."

"Yes. Tomorrow." Wolfgang nodded, suddenly looking away. "You kept me away for very long. It snuck up so fast."

Kala shrugged. "You did tell me to marry him."

"I know."

There was silence. Perhaps she should say something, Kala thought. Something to break the tension. Wolfgang had a special sort of silence about him that reminded her of a blackhole.

The German shifted in his seat, breaking the silence first. "Why are you so nervous, if you're so ready to marry this- this man?"

Kala's eyes widened and blood rushed to her cheeks, colouring them faintly. "I am not nervous." She retorted.

"Don't lie, I can tell." The blond man was smiling now, ever so slightly, a spark in his eyes. Kala felt them slipping back into their old rhythm and conversations.

She wobbled her head slightly as she shook it. "No, I am not. You're not supposed to snoop on people's thoughts, Wolfgang. Maybe it's different in Germany, but here in India, it is very rude. Very, very rude!"

He was laughing now, reaching out a hand to move away a lock of her hair. "I can't help it. This miracle of yours is inconvenient." She leaned into his touch as he brushed her hair away. A soft sigh escaped her lips. "Would you like me to leave?" Wolfgang asked.

Kala shook her head reluctantly "No. Maybe I need some company."

Wolfgang settled back into her bed and rested his head on his fist "Were you this nervous before?"

"No. Then again, I had significantly less to worry about. Except for the occasional demon who would appear." Kala jabbed Wolfgang playfully. He smiled.

"Are you worried about him finding out?"

Kala stared at him, wide-eyed. Heavens! The thought hadn't occurred to her. What if Rajan found out about her kissing a stranger when they were supposed to be getting married? What would he think?

Wolfgang- whether he noticed this revelation or not- continued: "Finding out you have visions would be hard for him."

"O-oh! Right." Kala's mouth formed a small 'o' as she realized what the fellow sensate was trying to get at. "I hope... I hope I can just ignore it until I can figure out a more... concrete method of proving this to him."

"Is that why you've been blocking me out?"

"Yes. And... no." Kala admitted. She saw his adam's apple bob as he swallowed nervously. "You wanted me to marry Rajan. I thought that if we didn't see each other, it would be... easier. If you didn't want me anymore, then it would be best if I moved on."

As she said it, she could feel Wolfgang's anger and sheer desire press through the mental barriers she tried to maintain. In a second, she was in his mind.

He wanted her so badly- something pure and sweet as marigold in his world of rain and blood- but he didn't want to sully her, not when she had such a simple and normal life to look forward too. He pushed her away when all he wanted was to grab her and bring her closer. Just thinking about her with that man- Rajan- made his stomach twist in disgust. She didn't love him! She didn't feel anything. Rajan didn't deserve her.

But then again... Neither did Wolfgang.