Mermaids in Turkey

Chapter Nineteen

The look of shear horror in Nehir and Selma's face as she hobbled up the drive way, her aunts hand flew up to her mouth. Her disheveled hair flew around her madly, while her eyelashes were clumped together and crusted with the salt of her tears. She was in a catatonic state not even bothering to wrap the jacket firmly to protect her modesty. Twigs and stones stabbed the soles of her bare feet but she felt nothing for it paled in comparison to the ache in her chest. 

Once in the quiet sanctuary of her room away from prying eyes she collapsed into the comforting doughy arms of her aunt. Waves of emotions rolled out of her like a rogue sea as she sobbed her chest heaving. The pain in her heart was crippling and she felt as if she was going to die. 

Hours later when the sobs had subsided and the tears were dried, her aunt wrapped a grey scarf around her as she sat out on the balcony watching the waves. 

It was not long after that her father showed up to the hotel no doubt filled in by Charles and the press as to what had transpired at the otel Hezen. He exchanged cold pleasantries with Selma before she exited the room to give them their privacy. 

"What can I do to make this pain go away darling?" 

She grabbed his hand "Send me somewhere far away where I can disappear and forget about this horrible place" 

He stroke his chin pensively as he shook his head expressing his thoughts out loud "There is somewhere but I don't know if that is the best place for you" 

"I will go anywhere" 

"There will be a film shoot in a remote location in Iceland. When I say remote, I mean as in no internet or phone service. We have been having difficulty filling the positions because quite frankly its extremely isolated and a very long project. Coincidentally however, Charles just agreed to star in it" he said as he turned to look at her "The crew leaves next week." 

She shook her head. 

"No, I want to leave tomorrow" her eyes lining with silver as she got on her knees before him, wringing her hands in agony "Please, I will take any of the open positions" she begged as she wept openly in front of him. 

His brow furrowed at the desperation that coated her words, like an oil spill on the surface of the sea. He had never seen her in this state not even when her mother left, and it terrified him to his core. 

He patted her hand gently and helped her get back on her feet "Very well tomorrow then. I will have the jet prepared" 

She thanked him as she wrapped the pashmina around herself to shield herself from the evening ocean breeze "Can you do one more thing for me?" 

"What is it?" 

She would later find out that her father had kept his word and had the best transport that money could buy take her grandmother to the finest hospital in Istanbul. He had his assistant find and purchase a beautiful apartment for her aunt Selma and Nehir that was close to the hospital so that they could visit her grandmother often. 

That night felt like an eternity as if the sun would never rise to herald the new day. But when it eventually did she was one of the first to rise and pack for her journey. She looked at her grandfathers leather journal and debated taking it with her but decided against it. It belonged here with the hotel and it would remain here. 

Ayça stood like a shell of her former self as she observed the guests who were merrily eating breakfast and chatting with their loved ones. She knew her mother and grandfather would be proud of the work that she, Selma, and Nehir had done. It hurt her to have to give up this last remaining connection to her now deceased loved ones, the only tether that remained between this time and theirs.