Constantinople's Cherry

I - 4. Tuzlu kahve

Septembre 1945, province of Mardin.

Kiraz finally arrived at the adresse. Eda Yıldız's grandmother's mansion. It was an anatolian architecture big house, much more modest than the palace of Istanbul but still one of the most impressing structure of the village.

It looked in ruins and abandonned, Kiraz opened the door and stepped in, fear in her throat. She hadn't felt as scared hiding in tunnel from Nazi soldiers as she felt each step she made in this strange ghost village.

She coughed at the dust and inspected inside, it was richly decorated too, thought the decor was less researched and also less European inspired, it was more traditional. And so, more foreign and scary to Kiraz.

She walked into what seemed to be a main hall, and looked at a table, where among crushed and broken dishes, a few set of tea and coffee remained intact.

Kiraz picked up one of the china cup, tracing the beautiful design. She was desperately after traces of her parents, oblivious that this china set had once witnessed the foreshadowing of their union.

****

Early July 1914, province of Mardin.

Serkan played with his fingers nervously, sitting in the Yıldız house, at Eda's grandmother's and looking around.

He had listened to Naïri and one of these days, decided to pay a visit to Eda's grandmother out of courtesy.

"Merhaba." He abruptly stood up at the sigh of the old woman coming downstairs.

She smiled at him, wearing a traditionneal dress and a veil on her head. She was so graceful, Serkan instantly felt his anxiety wear off at how warm she seemed.

"Good morning, you're the Baltayan's boy right ?" She asked making a sign for him to sit as she sat herself.

"Yes. I was early to meet Eda so I thought of paying a visit to you." Serkan smiled politely and Semiha nodded, he was such a polite boy.

"Tamam, I haven't seen you around since a year.." Semiha noted.

"I was in Paris, I study at the Sorbonne University over there, I am back for summer." Serkan explained.

"That's great, you're ambitious. What do you want to become ?" Semiha conversed.

"Maybe a professor ? I want to share everything I've learnt, share knowledge, combat ignorance. And I love the academia in Europe, I can see myself there." Serkan let out.

Semiha nodded impressed. "Eda wants to study too, she's still young but maybe she'll be joining some European University too, who knows ?"

"She's very bright and curious. If she is dedicated enough I'm sure she can." Serkan smiled and Semiha observed him.

"You find her bright ? Allah-Allah, Eda's a brat. I hope she doesn't give you too much trouble, she's here from summer, she is from Constantinople. She had only been here in the village when she was around six years old if I recall. Her father spoils her, she's the only girl." Semiha explained.

"Yes, Eda told me about her mother. She can be a bit arrogant but she is sweet." Serkan let out and Semiha watched his eyes.

Eda made her apparition then, dressed as always and Semiha raised an eyebrow.

"It's been a while he's been waiting for you, is that a way to treat a friend ?" She scolded her grand daughter.

"Babanne..." Eda mumbled embarassed and Serkan laughed.

"Don't worry, I wanted to visit your grandmother anyway." Serkan took her side and Eda was about to sit when Semiha held het arm.

"I asked Meryem to make us coffee, go see if she is finished and bring it from the kitchen." Semiha instructed to Eda.