Remember Who You Are - Ziam (TopZayn)

Chapter 1

     It would have been better if it was raining that day. The clouds would change into darker attire, thunder would scream over the city, and everyone would start panicking. And while people ran away to cover themselves, Zayn's mood would have its perfect match. But it was sunny. It was a simple sunny day in a simple city, a simple street, a not-so-simple elegant house. The world was slowly getting destroyed but the town acted unaffected. It's been almost a year since the start of the second world war. As nobody could predict what it was going to actually be, all they could do was sitting and waiting till it would finish somehow. Days and months passed but it only got worse. 

     Tucking the blonde hair behind her ear, Jelena headed upstairs. To highlight her elegant pale skin, there was a bucket of white lilacs in her hands. She silently opened the door and made her way to the bedside cabin to put the flowers in a delicately formed vase. Her fingers danced along the fragile petals, directing them in opposite ways, so the bucket would look even richer. But something didn't match with the harmony of the room. Jelena turned around to open the window and let the morning air refresh the house. But the first thing that caught her eyes was a big backpack carelessly thrown on the bed. She nervously opened it and found her fiance's clothes packed inside.  While she was angrily looking for hints of the destination, the bathroom door opened and Zayn walked out with his toiletry bag. Looking at him, Jelena noticed his combat boots and his new uniform. 

- What are you doing, Zayn? I hope this is not what I think it is. You are not seriously planning to join the army, are you? - she spat angrily. 

     Zayn wasn't surprised by her tone, though. He took the backpack away from her and put his bag inside. Jelena was glaring at him, waiting for his answer. And even though, Zayn could simply ignore her, he turned his attention to her. 

- What else do you expect me to do, huh? Read about young men getting killed on the battlefield in my morning paper, while I'm enjoying my breakfast? Pretend like it has nothing to do with me and go on with my secure life? That's not who I am! And you know it very well. - he said through his gritted teeth. 

     Jelena stepped back and softened her gaze. She unclenched her fists and sighed deeply. If you looked at her vulnerable position, you would never think that it was the same woman that snapped at Zayn a moment ago. She was a good actress. A great one. Filmmakers would be lucky to have her in the lead roles. But she chose Zayn's life as her stage. 

- Oh, Zayn. I do know that. But please don't leave me alone. I need you here. I need you with me. Isn't our love reasonable enough for you to stay? - she breathed, her voice quivering slightly and hands clutching around Zayn's bicep helplessly. 

     Zayn couldn't hold back his snort at the comment. He was still believing that the woman would at least act real when they were alone. He pulled his arm back and walked to a shelf on the other side of the room. 

- Love? You need to face the truth, Jelena. It faded long ago, when the caring girl I thought I liked turned into this greedy and uncaring woman. The only love that stayed in this relationship is my love for my mother. She is the only reason I still tolerate you. - he scoffed and put a small collection of pocket books in his bag. 

     Jelena was fuming. She couldn't play it cool anymore. She knew the truth very well. Zayn made sure of it by making her spend her time alone. All she wanted was living a wealthy life with her fiance. But the man was always in search of adventures. He always had to look for bigger values and meanings. He wasn't one to just stay home, smoke a cigar, and enjoy the gorgeous woman's presence in their house. He wasn't so simple to control. But Jelena couldn't lose him. And she was sure that battlefield would appeal Zayn without hesitation. He would forget about her, about their house, and about their well-planned future. So, she grabbed the backpack away from him and threw it on the floor. 

- You are not going to leave, Zayn! You are staying here with me! - she ordered loudly. 

     But that couldn't stop Zayn. Nothing could. The guilt was bothering him for too long and Jelena wasn't powerful enough to change his mind. It's been a while since the war started. And as the days passed, he was feeling worse about it. And now it was his time to finally join the army and give his life to it. He calmly walked to the backpack and lifted it up from the floor. He threw it over his shoulder and opened the door. But before leaving the room he looked back at the woman he once loved. 

- Too bad I didn't ask you. And if I get killed there, please don't act like you care. - he said coldly and stepped out of their shared room.