Radio Alwan

-4- Istanbul mon amour

Leyla and Dina decided to have dinner together and they met on Saturday evening in Bebek. one of the most beautiful and iconic places in Istanbul. 

Leyla put on her black leather jacket and it almost blended with her curly dark hair. She decided that she is not in a mood to wear a lot of make up- she is never in the mood- and wore red lipstick then put some of it on her cheeks to have a healthier look. She checked her phone and find a message from Dina. 

Dina: Habibi I am in Bebek now. I will order a coffee before you come. Yallah, come. 

Leyla took a taxi but regretted her decision as soon as they reached Beşiktaş, after 6 years in Istanbul and at this time of the night and on a Saturday. She should have known better. 

Dina is her best friend and one of the people she trusts the most in life besides her family. She is a 26 years old young Palestinian girl with amazing brown eyes and so clever that it intimidated her sometimes.

Dina was also a student in journalism at Istanbul University, she had a successful career as a reporter for a Saudi channel which allowed her to travel to many cities in Turkey. But she always wanted to be a Radio DJ like her father and Ali knew him well and knew her too so he offered her the job which she took immediately. 

Leyla left the taxi and walked through the narrow street enjoying the Fresh air that announces her approaching the seaside. She found Dina sitting in their usual spot talking on the phone very passionately in Turkish. It is probably her fiancé, a young Turkish man she met in university. 

They left the coffee shop and went to Banyan restaurant, Leyla's favorite restaurant in Bebek because it has the most gorgeous view of the Bosphorous. They ordered dinner and were chatting about Leyla's last episode of Stories & Stories and how it made the program even more famous. Dina was passionately talking about a new music band from Jordan that she discovered lately and how it can be a great addition to her music lists. She took a long pause and said to Leyla: 

D: Do you remember my cousin Ahmed who got accepted for a Ph.D. in Sociology in Koç university?  I think I mentioned him to you before. 

L: I think so, yes I remember something like that. I think he is the one having difficulty leaving Gazza since last summer right? 

D: Yes it is him. He is finally here for a few weeks and he called me yesterday...and...he wants to meet you. 

L: Blushing. Meet me? Why? I mean how? Omg, how old is he? 

D: He is thirty but I already told him about your age and he is totally okay with it. I mean not that there is a problem with your age...you know what I mean. 

L: Dina dear you don't need to get stressed I know you mean well. But let's say that I meet him but it doesn't go well, you know how bad I am at dating. I am afraid it will affect our friendship. 

D: I was born here and I saw him twice in my life. He is my cousin, yes but I know you more than him. But I know he is a decent guy, otherwise, I wouldn't dare ask you. I don't want you to hate me either. And what if things work out? We may be more than friends but family too. 

L: Blushing. I can't believe I am blushing at my age. I am supposed to be an independent woman in her thirties and I blush before my 26 years old friend. I am a mess. 

D: A hot mess. Let's order some dessert to celebrate your date with my cousin. She winked to Leyla. 

...Leyla was exhausted, she quickly changed her clothes and prepared herself to go to bed. She lays in bed and felt filled with gratitude. She had a nice family, she has amazing friends, and lives in one of the greatest cities in the world. She prays for Allah and thanks him for all the blessings.