Animals [z.m. || a.u.]

xx.

A/N: Yes I wanted to post this on Father's Day but how can it be me if I don't disappoint you guys.
I'm really sorry and really grateful for all the support on this book. You guys are amazing af! I love you all so much.
Important author's note at the end!

Towards the chapter now! Onward ho!

Chapter dedication: @Dawnlou

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xx.

Zayn has this unreal affection for satisfaction. As far as Zayn's memory can trace his life back, Zayn realises that he had never been satisfied with anything. He was barely eight when his father used to promise him that they'll play when he'll come back, but that usually never happened. Zayn would sit by the last doorstep, his elbows digging into his knees and his chin supported in his palms with a pout on his face, waiting for his father to come back home to play with him; after all 'the only boy of the house needs to learn from the man of the house' or so Yaser would recite to Zayn.

Yaser was a great man: responsible and reliable. Zayn's mother never had to worry where Yaser was, the man was far too clean and dedicated to his family to get into any filth. The women surrounding the tiny Malik household usually spoke about the darkness and negativity that most of the middle-class men succumbed into powerless against the crisis on the economic front but Tricia would just shrug them off because she loved and trusted her husband far too much. Yaser worked in a government office, a few degrees higher than the clerical staff with a reasonably satisfying salary, a handsome total of £10 per hour over the clerical staff.

So, after hours and hours of labours, when Yaser would be on his way back, he'd remember the play date with his son that he missed. This would result in him buying the most famous peace offering in the Malik household: chocolate bars and ice creams for his 'darlings' back home. And yet, after getting the largest share of chocolates Zayn would still feel unsatisfied. Because although he got a lion's share in the peace offering, it could never compare to the time his father failed to offer him. So, although melancholic on the insides, Zayn would put up the largest smile on his face as he'd wolf down the chocolate. He'd eat dinner as usual, looking at his father with admiration. He loved his father so much. And although Yaser was so tangibly present in the room, with all the jokes and stories he'd tell, Zayn could almost hear the hollowness of his laughter. He'd see Yaser smiling and wiping his eyes after he's done laughing but he'd also observe how shallow the eyes looked. Dull and clouded. Just like the sky of Bradford.

Now, Yaser had this habit of walking around the porch after his dinner. These walks were what he claimed 'helpers in his digestion.' The walks might or might not have triggered the digestion, but they surely did trigger thoughts. The tensions of running a family, calculating expenses, saving enough to satisfy the rent - the thoughts that ultimately aimed the protection of his 'darlings.'