Zuro

IX

It was hard for Zyah to stand up front as her parents friends and their family came to pay their respects and say their final goodbyes. Kyan could tell that she was struggling because Zyah hadn't let go of his hand, not even for a second and when they were being approached by either an aunt or uncle or even a friend and colleague , Zyah's grip tightened around his hand.

Her eyes were bloodshot, it was only the viewing hour and Zyah was tired and all cried out. "I want to sleep now." she whispered as her fathers brother, Uncle Tony and his family walked away to take their seats. Kyan chuckled, the rumble in his chest resonated into her ear as he pulled her into a hug. "Just two more hours."

When the pastor had walked in, Zyah, Kyan and Vernon had taken their seats alongside the rest of the family. Uncle Tony and his wife Aunt Sara had sat on the edge of the pew with their daughters Clara and Daphne. Kyan had sat down beside Daphne leaving Zyah seated between him and her brother.  "I greet you today in the name of our gracious Lord Jesus Christ. Before we start may we bow our heads in prayer."Instead, Zyah leaned against Kyans chest, making causing natural habit to take course. Kyan's arm wrapped around the fragile girl.

"We're gathered here today, to celebrate the lives of two prominent figures in the lives of their children , their nieces and nephews and their brothers and sisters..." Zyah felt so weak as the pastor spoke, her tears blocked out every spoken word until Kyan squeezed her shoulder, grabbing her attention. "I'd like to call up Zyah Zucchini to pay tribute to her parents."

Following a deep breath, she followed Kyan to the podium, feeling too weak to walk up on her own. "I'm right by your side babe, I'm right here." Kyan whispered as she took the small piece of paper from her blazer pocket.

"My parents did everything together, they raised my brother and I as a team, they started their business as a team they dreamed of our future as a team, they even argued as a team. God knew it wouldn't be right if they left this world one by one so they left this earth as a team." She looked up at Kyan who's arm hadn't  left her side. He smiled down at her encouraging her to continue. "My whole heart is shattered because I never thought I'd have to go through this way before I had the opportunity to make them proud and hear them tell me that they were proud of me. They always knew the right things to say when I had a hard time growing through something, and as much as my brother and I believe that they'd want us to get through this, I know that I'll never be able to grow through this because they didn't help me." With another deep breath Zyah closed off. "Everybody in this room had lost somebody and I am so thankful that my parents meant a little bit of something to each one of you."

With the funeral proceedings done and dusted, Zyah excused herself to her bedroom while Kyan and  Vernon entertained the guests. Kyan didn't mind explaining to her family that Zyah's exhaustion had got the better of her so that she could have time to herself. Walking out of the kitchen Kyan knocked into Daphne, uncle Toms eldest daughter. "Shit, I'm sorry Daph." He apologized as she gripped onto his forearms. "The fact that you saved me, makes it okay." Not knowing what to say Kyan nodded and smiled.

The rest of the afternoon consisted of Vernon being too shut down to socialize, Kyan being squished between the edge of the couch and Daphne and watching the staircase to see if Zyah had come out of her room. He didn't want to be rude, so he didn't know how to ask anybody to leave or how to ask Daphne to keep her hands to herself and to stop flirting with him. It was annoying him. He caught Vernon's attention who mouthed Its time for them to leave.

Kyan rose from his seat as did Vernon. "Thank you everybody. My sister and I really do appreciate you all for the comfort in this time, but as you can imagine we're both too tired to keep up with this and would appreciate it if we could be left to grieve and catch up on some much needed sleep. I also do hope that nobody feels offended by this request."

When the last person walked out of the door, Vernon went straight to his room while Kyan went to check up on his best friend. With her permission to enter he walked into her room and she was packing. "What's happening in here?"He asked, to say he was confused was an understatement. "I can't stay here any longer Pilot. It's draining too much of my energy and I'm missing Zuro, aren't you?" Kyan, still not understanding his friend just nodded in response. "What are you going to tell Vern?" Zyah shrugged her shoulders. "I'm a student Kyan, so are you. We have to attend classes in order to achieve our goals. He'll understand." Again, Kyan just nodded.

"Don't you think you need a little bit more time?" Vernon asked, the next morning as Kyan packed the car. "A little bit more time to do what Vern? I need to make them proud, not give them a reason to turn in their grave." "But we just buried them yesterday Zyah! Don't be so rash to continue living." Zyah couldn't believe her ears. "Are you hearing yourself right now, Vernon? Why the hell would I not want to continue living for them? Neither one of them would accept what you just said. We both know we'll have to accept this Vernon."

Her brother sighed heavily. "Not this fast Zyah." It frustrated her that they were fighting when they were supposed to be there for one another. "I can't stay here anymore Vernon. I need to go home." A gasp escaped her older brothers throat. Is this not her home? She was raised here, her parents bought this place for them to live so comfortable and she didn't regard this as her home? "Wh-what do you mean? You're home Zyah." She shook her head. "This is not my home anymore, my home ids hours away with my best friend and our dog."

With neither one of the siblings saying anything else, Kyan stepped in. "Car's packed Captain, I'm ready when you are."Zyah nodded, slung her bag over her shoulder kissed her brother on the cheek and walked out. Vernon just stood there, not responding to Kyan's greetings. "Let's go home." he said as he slid into the drivers seat and watched Zyah dry her teary eyes. He knew that she'll talk within her own time because that was all she needed.

The car ride home was quiet besides the radio playing. Zyah had fallen asleep an hour into the drive and hadn't stirred despite Kyan's attempts to wake her. This meant that he'd had to carry Zyah up to her room. It was refreshing to see Zuro's excitement as he scratched against the sliding doors, begging for Kyan to let him into the house. "Gee aren't you a sight for sore eyes." He spoke to the dog as he pet him. That night, Zyah lay asleep in her room while Kyan lie cuddled up with Zuro in his arms.

He felt so good to be home.