Constantinople's Cherry

I - 7. Aşk itirafı

The violon version of Le Temps des Cerises can be interpreted as the sad counterpart track of this story.

Happy reading :)

.....

Late August 1914, province of Mardin.

As Serkan walked inside the Yıldız mansion, all he saw was a couple of maids, running in a direction with a sheet, not paying attention to him which was odd, they were always so curteous with guests.

And when he walked in further, his heart shattered at the sound of Eda's unmistakable loud sobs.

A rush he didn't even realise possessed him guided his legs to the sound of her cries, that pulled his heart's strings in more painful amplitutude that he had ever imagined or expected.

Serkan's eyes fell on Eda's figure, kneeling on the marble floor of Semiha Yıldız's mansion, sobbing as two maids wrapped Semiha's body in white sheets and took her.

"Babanne!" Eda cried extanding a hand towards the big intricate doors when her eyes fell to Serkan's shocked face as he watched Semiha Yıldız's body be taken right from beside him, her face rasiating a strange sense of serenity and peace even in death.

Serkan's eyes fell back on Eda, her angelic face marred by tears.

"Oh Eda.." He was quick to be by her side, sinking on the floor with her and held her shoulders, pulling her to him as she grabbed onto his shirt and sobbed.

"She was like my mother! My only mother. I can't say bye to her this soon!" Eda cried and Serkan stroked her soft hair.

"Shh, Eda...sweetheart, she wouldn't want you to cry." Serkan soothed, rubbing Eda's back

"She was fine just yesterday Serkan! How can she leave me like this ? Babannem.." Eda sobbed against his arms.

Serkan didn't expect it, how much his heart clenched and hurt at her tears. "I am so sorry for your loss, don't cry, please.." Serkan soothed with emotion in his tone and eyes.

Eda burried her face into his chest, finding confort like she hadn't expected in his arms. "This isn't fair, I didn't even kiss her hands enough, learn from enough." She wept in small sniffs against his chest and Serkan soothed her.

"Ssshh.." He lovingly kissed the top of her head before he could think it through and his heart skipped a bit as she froze at that.

But too taken in her grief, she didn't react to it and just cried more.

Maids came and went by offering Eda water and telling her about funeral rites, about a informing letter that was already on its way to her father to Constantinople. The burrial would have to be done the day that followed, with a proper funeral rite organised a week later, too late to keep the body. Eda was the only family membre present.

Serkan sympathised with her as she was given instructions, he felt bad that a sixteen years old shoulders' would have to bear all that. He felt her vulnerabilty as she just refused to let go of him and eat.

Eventually, she tired herself out from crying and Serkan moved her to the nearest couch, still holding her in his arms as she wouldn't let go.

With a pained heart, he wiped her cheeks and she snuggled closer into his chest. He rocked her like one would a child, to ease her back into slumber.

-

Serkan woke to the first rays of dawn, his neck sore from the position, Eda in his arms.

He watched her angelic face, she looked so pure in her sleep. She was restless though, mumbling things as her head rested against his shoulder.