Zuro

VII

The silence in the car was deafening for the rest of their way home. Zyah had carried her sippy cup from the restaurant so that she could drink her vodka on the backseat of the car. Thank the world for odorless alcohol when its needed most. The radio was loud, blocking out both Kyan and Zyah's attempts to talk. Not that either had tried.

Zyah had wanted to test the theory that you'd get drunker, faster by drinking from a straw. The theory was so right, because after at least two cups of the vodka, Zyah had started getting restless. "Kyan, I'm sorry." She apologized while trying to take her shoes off. Kyan didn't respond. After a couple of minutes  after realising that he wasn't listening, she climbed over the compartment and slid into the passenger seat. "Ky, I said I'm sorry." She put her hand gently on his shoulder. He shrugged it off. "If you're going to sit at the back, Zyah, sit at the damn back, you can't be climbing over to the front while I'm driving."

In her drunken haze, Zyah took no hint that Kyan was in no mood to be messed with. She placed her hand back on his shoulder, massaging the muscle joining his head and neck. "Are you not going to accept my apology?" She asked, her voice turning sultry. Kyan suffered a seconds whiplash as he turned to face Zyah. "Oh, dear sweet Jesus." How could he have missed it? Her glossy eyes not leaving his face. "Zyah, are you drunk?" He asked while he continued to drive. Her hands reached out to make him face her. His stubble tickling her fingers. She laughed. "Yeah, I'm so so drunk."

Heavily sighing, Kyan decided to pull over. "I cannot have you going home like this , what would Vernon think?"Zyah didn't answer, instead she made herself comfortable Straddling Kyans lap. "I really could do with a hug right now." She whispered, he arched forward so she didn't have to force her arms to wrap around him. "Where did you get the alcohol Zyah?" Tears had begun watering his shirt. She was crying.  He hated when she cried. "It's going to be just fine, I promise." "How sure are you of that?" She asked him, hugging tighter. "Because when my parents passed, I only had you and Vern left, you mostly but Vern didn't hesitate to check up on me, see how I was doing you know, so don't worry, you're never truly alone. The love of your parents is in us all and I promise I'll love you forever if you'll let me. Just don't go losing your shit and ruining the life your mom and dad always wanted for you."

What he didn't expect was for Zyah to have fallen asleep  that quickly. Before getting out of the car to put her comfortably into the passenger seat he squeezed her into a hug. "I really wish you could see it, Zyah." He continued to drive to the Zucchini household. The half hour stretch had to have been the longest, he was lost in his thoughts, worrying himself sick over his bestfriend and how she'd be able to cope with all that will happen for this weekend.

When the pair reached the house, Kyan made sure to unpack the car and knock on the door for Vernon to carry either the bags or Zyah into the house. Vernon opened the door just as  Kyan set down the last of their luggage. He looked up to the older guy, who looked nothing like the big brother of his best friend. Vern looked shattered, just like Zyah. Instead of the usual handshake, Kyan had gone in for a hug. "I'm sorry for your loss." Vernon felt as if he held onto a younger brother. His grip on Kyan tightened. "Thanks. I know that this is as much your loss as it is mine. Mamma and Pappa really loved you as if you were their own." They let go and Vernon bent down to pick up their bags.

The older boy followed Kyan's movement as he cradled Zyah in his arms. "How's she been?"Vernon asked as he followed behind Kyan into the house that felt a little less like a home. "Let me lay her down and we'll talk." Kyan didn't know how to tell him straight up, so he averted the question. It may not seem like anything serious, but the three knew exactly what happens when depression strikes them as individuals. In his head, Kyan practiced his speech as he walked up the stairs. Zyah's room was situated right at the staircase so he had to take a sharp left. He gently placed her onto her bed, kissed her forehead and turned around almost slam bang into Vernon, who placed his sisters bags on her table top. "Sorry, didn't see you there." Kyan apologized. "Mind if we talked downstairs?"

Vernon seemed to be having a hard time with his patience because he'd started talking, with an aggressive tone once they reached the foot of the staircase. "Is she okay Cubro?" Kyan chuckled dryly. "She just lost her parents Vernon. How are you coping?"  Vernon calmed down. "How is she dealing with it?" "Alcohol, loads and loads of alcohol."Kyan walked towards the kitchen explaining everything to Vernon who felt like the last bit of actual heart he had left shatter to pieces. He didn't want to lose his sister too, he'd only feel as if he'd failed their parents. "You really do care for her, don't you?" Kyan scoffed at Verns' question. "I swear you and your sister are the only two that don't see it. If Pappa were here, he'd slap you so hard, you'd travel into tomorrow."

Vernon and Kyan spent more time together, letting Zyah sleep as they prepared for the funeral and lunch tomorrow, they talked and laughed at the memories with the Zucchini parents. Three hours must have passed when tumbling and laughter could be heard. Zyah had been drinking again and she'd gotten drunk. Kyan looked up at Vernon apologetically before taking a step towards Zyah, but Vernon stopped him. "It's okay, you relax. I'll deal with this.

When Zyah looked up at her older brother, his heart didn't expect his sister to look the way she did, if broken ever needed a definition, he'd suggest she be it. Her pouted lips spread into a straight line. That was as close a smile he'd get. "Hey Zy."He bent down to lift her up. "I missed you so much."She whispered, her voice matching the brokenness of her appearance. "I missed you too." He pulled her into a hug, squeezing her tight. "We've been on the road for quite some time and you probably reek of alcohol, I'm going to run you a bath." Kyan whispered as he walked out of the room, the aim being to give the siblings some time.

Vernon helped his sister as she staggered towards the couch. "So, they're really gone..."She whispered not being able to look up at Vernon. "Yup, they're gone. I'm so sorry Zy." "I'm sorry too Vern." They hugged again, a little longer this time before Vernon spoke. "So, you've been drinking I hear." "I know that it's a lame excuse but how else am I going to cope with such foreign pain Vern?" Her brother shrugged. "I'm just saying, there's a lot of positive ways to find relief Zyah. I've been struggling myself, but Mamma and Pappa always taught us about the strength we'd need one day. Wanna know what's mine?" Zyah nodded. "You are a focal point now Zyah, I'm not trying to fill Pappa's shoes, but I know it's tough on you. You're their little girl and I'm their big boy who's supposed to be sure that their little girl is doing A- okay. So if and whenever you need me, near or far I'll be here. Kyan too, Zyah, he understands your pain more than anything. Please let him help you, let him be there for you on days where you feel I'm not enough."

Zyah took a breath, as if to inhale every word her brother has just said.  "I just can't accept it Vern, they're supposed to be here, to watch me graduate , marry Kyan and spoil our kids." "I know, it's difficult for me too- did, did you just say marry Kyan?"