Zania: The Forgetful

chapter ten

Zania felt like a kid in a candy store as she took in the untamed variety of flowers and the few animals that had made homes amongst them. "Look a pavo real (peacock)!" Tuli was very pleased with himself at the sight of her joy. He hoped it made up for the day before. She did not seem upset with him, but Tuli wanted to be sure. Zania busied herself with flowers as she tried not to annoy the peacock minding its business. He laughed as she failed miserably and got into an intricate dance with the animal.

Tuli made sure the park was secure as possible so that they could relax without fear of interruption. Moments like this he wished he still talked to his brother. He was the better of the two of them when it came to women. He was naturally charming and drew everyone in with his presence. Tuli had never liked attention, and women had never interested him longer than a passing thought before Zania. Tuli laid out a blanket for her and placed food and water on it for the two of them to enjoy.

Zania skipped to him and plopped onto the blanket like she was seventeen years younger than she was. "Thank you for this!" She said, fanning herself from the heat. Tuli watched the way she drank water. Everything about her made him swallow. "I am happy you are enjoying yourself." "Who wouldn't? You can't imagine what it is like to be stuck there all the time? You know I was thinking-." Tuli laughed, interrupting her. "You are always thinking."

"I know that's what I was blessed with a brain for." Zania giggled as she picked through the food he brought. "I was thinking maybe we can start us a little business. I can make clothes or blankets or stuff now that we have that farm. Do you think you can find extra people to help? I mean that French man had a lot of men." Tuli rubbed his nonexistent beard out of habit. "Things aren't like you think." Zania gave him an accusatory eyebrow. "Whatcha mean?"

"It is dangerous to bring too much attention to yourself. But I will think about it, and we can discuss the possibilities if there are some." Zania nodded her head in accordance. "Okay. I can respect that. I guess I just miss people." Tuli placed his hand on hers. "What is left of humanity isn't much to miss, Zah. Trust me on that." Tuli said in understanding, but Zania only chuckled. "What is so funny?" Tuli wondered aloud. "You gave me a nickname. It is cute." She said through her eyelashes before taking a bite of her fruit.

A large part of Zania felt dirty flirting when she still felt so very married, but the other part got lost in the darkness of his eyes. Zania was fascinated by the way his skin was nearly as dark as them. She appreciated his long dimples when he smiled and the furrow of his brow when he was serious.'This is what happens when you spend too much time with someone. You find stuff to like about them.'She did not even want to think about how long it had been since she had gotten laid.

"I like when you call me Tuls." He admitted while biting the fat off his cheek. There was a change starting to happen between them. Maybe it was because Zania's memory was fading and the sense of suspension for Tuli dwindled like a flame near flooding. Maybe it was Tuli's guilt allowing him to open himself up for her. Nonetheless, the change hung in the air like a thick layer of fog. It crowded them and made the air hard for them to breathe.

"I have never asked, but what did you do before all of this?" Zania questioned, hoping to feel less overwhelmed. "I took care of myself," Tuli said with a shrug. "The heck that mean? Don't let me find out you were some kinda spy. You know what? I would actually believe that. It would make sense why you are so good with violence and knowledgeable about living off the grid." Zania's eyes were lit with the invention. "Plausible." Tuli teased. "Am I right or am I right?" Zania was serious despite her laughter.

Tuli gave her a cheeky smirk, but he did not answer. "Aye don't leave me hanging. I would like to know." Zania nudged his shoulder slightly, hoping to rouse an answer out of him. "Will you like me more if I say yes?" Tuli cocked his head waiting for her response. She bit her lip in thought. "I think I like you just enough. I'd like you more if you were truthful." Tuli smiled at her response. "Then I will give you the truth, again. I took care of myself. I earned a lot of land. I took care of it, and it took care of me in return."