7.3|Rich Hearts: Baffled|

T W O   Y E A R S   A G O

Zuri opened the door of her flat sneakily and tip-toed to her elder sister's room.

As she entered the room she saw her sleeping while fully covered in a comforter. And Zuri like an overjoyed kid jumped on her.

"I'm back, Zee!"

In a reply she heard a whining sound, a masculine whining sound. And she froze at her not-so-decent position.

"Zuri!!!" She heard her sister's voice from behind. Zuri turned around to see her sister standing in the entrance of the ensuite in just a bathrobe with wet hair, her face showing her shocked state.

Zuri pulled the comforter from the person's face and what she saw was a handsome guy sleeping like a cute baby.

For once she forgot the awkwardness of the situation and lost herself in admiring his gorgeousness.

"Zuri!" She heard her sister Ziya again that brought her back to the planet earth.

She adjusted her specs and stood up. Her eyes darted at Ziya, who visibly looked pale.

"You were supposed to return on Monday?." Ziya inquired.

"Yes, I was. But then I thought to surprise my sister because I was unaware of your these plans." She replied in a disappointed tone, pointing towards the guy sleeping on her bed.

Zuri hated it when Ziya would sleep with any random rich guy. And the reason would be money.

Tears were evident in her eyes even through her glasses. Before Ziya could say anything she left the room.

Ziya sighed and picked her dress from the cupboard. She knew her way of earning money was wrong. But that was the only way she knew. She wasn't well-educated to have a well-paid job. Her dead parents had nothing except for their financial debts.

Zuri hated when her sister acts like a gold-digger. But she knew that her college fees has been paid through the money those men give.

She was helpless, so was her destiny.

•••

P R E S E N T   T I M E

Zuri was idly sitting on her bed. All blank and bored. It was frustrating as well as depressing to realise that she has lost all the memories related to her past life. The doctor said that she may or may not gain her memory back. And somehow it felt as if Advay was relieved about that. He didn't look worried at all, he looked like a burden has been taken down from his shoulders.

There is something she needs to know. She doesn't know what but there is something Advay wants to hide from her.

"Tada! Here's your favourite tomato soup." Advay entered the room with the breakfast. Only the aroma of food made her stomach grumble. As the tray was put in her lap she happily started eating. It was her first meal in fifteen months and she couldn't ask for anything better. Even a boring soup seemed like potion of immortality to her.

Advay sat beside her on the bed and kept looking at her. He couldn't help but smile. Even with a lost memory she was the same childish Zuri. His innocent butterfly.

"Advay?" She looked at him curiously, as if she wanted to ask something.

"Yes?" As much as Advay knew his wife, her question will definitely make him run for the hills. She will ask the most awkward question in the most innocent way possible.

"How did we met?" Well, it was a very simple question, but here their first meeting was very awkward.

He still remembers that morning, when he woke up in Ziya's bedroom. He was about to leave the flat when he saw Zuri's angry face. It was evident from her expression that his presence was the reason of it. Obviously, he spent a night with her sister in exchange of money, her anger was justified. But at that time it was just a one night stand for him. He had no clue that he will fall in love with that angry bird who wore specs. Neither he knew that Ziya will marry his younger brother.

But now is it okay if he tells her the truth or he should make up some cheesy story?

He chose to tell her the truth because lying will only create problems in the future. His lies were the reason for her accident and her..... Nevermind.

"I had a one night stand with your sister." He said as normally as possible. "We met when I was about to exit the flat. You were literally boiling up with anger." He excluded the part where he gave a cheque to Ziya. Because he understands that Ziya did what she did simply because she wanted a bright future for Zuri. If he had done half of what she did then he would have a pleasant relation with Vansh. That's a different issue that he and Ziya don't get along and try to avoid each other as much as possible. They had a one night stand to shout out loud and are married to each other's sibling. They had an awkward relation with each other.

"I have a sister?" She asked.

Well, he had expected her to judge him for being a playboy. But she ignored the whole "one night stand" and solely focused on "her sister". But again his Zuri is really unexpected.

"Yes, you have an elder sister. Her name is Ziya and you call her 'Zee'."

And the cute smile she gave was something he would happily die for.

"How's she?"

"Devastated. After you went into coma she was really depressed. But my brother took care of her."

"Your brother?"

"Her husband. She is married to my younger brother."

"That's great! But does he know about your one night stand with her?"

"He do and it really doesn't matter to him. Vansh is a mature person. He never judge others." While saying these words Advay felt proud of his brother.

"I want to meet them!"

"Okay, I'll immediately inform them. Actually no one really knows that you woke up. I forgot to tell them." He pulled out his phone.

"No! I want to surprise them."

"How?"

"By going to their place."

"Zuri, you haven't moved a bone for more than a year. You can't walk on your own until you recover properly."

"Then you help me. I'll walk by your support."

"I'll arrange a wheelchair then."

"No! I am not handicapped."

"So do you expect me to pick you up in my arms?"

"I am not a newborn baby."

"Okay, I am arranging a crutch for you. And don't you dare say 'I am not an old lady'." Well, she was about to say the exact sentence, but his stern tone silenced her for good.

So she has a loving husband who treats her like a kid. And she can understand why she would have married him. Because he makes her feel as if she is the centre of his universe, that she truly is.

•••

Ziya woke up when she felt a soft peck on her lips. As she opend her eyes, Vansh sighed. He didn't want to disturb her, but he did. He knew she is a light sleeper, but he just couldn't resist pecking her. But now when she was already awake he didn't hesitate to give her deep and long kiss. Ziya simply let him kiss her, but she didn't had enough energy to reciprocate it. After long minutes Vansh ended what he had started.

"Good morning, Ziya." He smiled.

"Good morning." She gave a small smile.

"I have already prepared a bath for you. Get ready and come outside for breakfast. Alright?"

She nodded and Vansh left the room, but not before pecking her lips again.

Ziya felt guilty for being a mess. Her husband was trying hard to take care of everything and her state was only increasing his burden. But what she could do? How she could forget that she is somehow responsible for Zuri's this condition? If she had trusted Advay for once things could have turned so differently. Only if she could trust him. But unfortunately she didn't.

With these thoughts in her mind she got up to start yet another gloomy day.

Only if she knew who was coming to meet her.

•••

The doorbell rung around seven in the morning. Vansh wondered who would be there this early. They hardly had visiters, because Ziya and him, both didn't like to make friends. It was only them and their solitude, which somehow was enough.

As he opened the door, for once he thought he was assuming the scene in front of him.

A smiling Advay and a curious Zuri.

His eyes widened, he was truly dreaming. Zuri was in coma then how she could be standing in front of him, that too with a crutch in her right hand. However, he was proven wrong when he heard Ziya.

"Zuri..." Ziya was equally shocked as him. But she knew she wasn't dreaming, or maybe she didn't want it to be a dream. Before Zuri could fade away from her sight like all the other times she ran to hug her. She could touch her, she could feel her warmth. Her eyes welled up.

Zuri let her cry while hugging her. Even if she didn't remember her, she could feel a strong bond with the woman hugging her.

Zee, right?

Should she call her Zee, or Ziya, or Didi?

"Don't cry, please." It was tough to decide so she avoided using her name or nickname or any kind of endearment.

"Ziya, Zuri has lost her memory. She doesn't remember any of us." Advay's words came as a shock to the couple.

But deep inside they were relieved that she don't remember the trauma she suffered. Or it would ruin her already ruined life.

Advay held her gently, supporting her in standing when Ziya ended the hug.

"At least, Zuri is awake. About memories, they can be made again." Vansh pointed out the positive aspect of the situation. That was his best quality, he was a positive person.

"Let's go inside and have breakfast together." Ziya said enthusiastically while holding Zuri's hand. Advay let go Zuri's hold. And both the sisters went inside.

Advay keenly looked at Vansh. He had dark circles beneath his eyes. It seemed like he hasn't slept in eternity. Now he felt guilty, in his own misery he put all the burden on his brother.

"Sorry." He said.

"For what?" Vansh was baffled. Advay wasn't someone to apologise. He will accept his mistake, but will never say sorry. Especially when it comes to him, he will never apologize even if he did something terrible. But that was a year ago. Now there relation has changed for better.

"For burdening you with all responsibilities."

Vansh never received a compliment from Advay.

Never ever.

And now he didn't know how to respond to it. A simple 'It's okay' won't be enough. He wanted to say that he cared for Advay, but it was too awkward. Advay was not just his elder brother. He played the role of a strict father as well when their biological father was busy with his many girlfriends. Maybe that strictness was the reason he had a sour impression of Advay. But that strictness was also the reason he remained a disciplined guy all his youth. Vansh had far better breeding than the spoilt rich guys in their social circle. Advay made him even better than his own self and he was proud of this.

"It was nothing... Bhai." Vansh had his eyes down while saying the last word. He was feeling shy to call him 'Bhai' when he always called him by his name.

And Advay had his eyes wide opened. Did he just called him Bhai?

"Vansh, I have a request."

"What is it?"

"Why don't you and Ziya move to my bungalow? It would be good for Zuri and Ziya's health. And both of us could also spend time together." Now it was Advay's turn to downcast his eyes.

Vansh smiled, it was hard to hold back smiling. His brother simply wanted to grow a bond with him, something both of them missed in their lives.

Their relation was not as simple as normal siblings have. Usually siblings will argue, fight, slap each other, but at the end of the day they will be laughing and gossiping about their relatives together. However, Advay and Vansh, as I said before, were more like father-son rather than brothers. And we all are well-aware that father-son has a very awkward bond. They love each other but never say it out loud.

But there are times when they show it through their actions. Advay and Vansh also showed it through their actions.

•••

Updates will be slow for next week or two. I have exams.