Can and Sanem sat at the back of the sleek black car that had picked them up from the airport, refamiliarising themselves with the sights, sounds and smells of Istanbul. Their hands interlocked, their wedding bands glinting.
"Can you believe we're back?" Sanem's voice was a soft melody laced with nostalgia, her eyes reflecting the bittersweet end of their honeymoon.
"Back to our beginning," Can whispered, pressing his lips to her temple, "but only to start anew." His gaze, brimming with adoration, skimmed over her face—a face he had memorised every curve and contour of during their trip.
"Remember the night market in Marrakech?" she asked, a giggle escaping her lips as she recalled their adventurous escapades, "You trying to haggle in broken Arabic was the highlight of my life."
"Ah, but your laughter, my love," Can countered playfully, "that's the soundtrack of my every day." He squeezed her hand, grounding her in the moment, the memory of their shared joy vivid in his mind.
Sanem's attention shifted, as the car pulled up, and her breath caught at the sight before her. The house stood proudly, its façade lovingly restored. She knew this place: the house Can had grown up in. The house where he'd confessed he'd fallen in love with her for the first time.
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"Can, what are we doing here?" She was genuinely puzzled, her confusion manifesting in the wide-eyed wonder that danced across her features.
"We're home," he replied with a modest shrug, the corner of his mouth lifting into a knowing smile.
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Her heart fluttered as she took in the meticulous craftsmanship, the fresh paint that seemed to whisper secrets of a future written together. Each window pane, each shingle, felt like a testament to their love, a personal touch from the man who had captured her heart entirely.
"Oh my goodness!" Sanem exclaimed, stepping forward to reverently brush her fingers against the tender blooms of rose, lavender, honeysuckle, jasmine, violet, peony, and gardenias. The delicate fragrances wafted up to greet her, a sensory embrace that melded with the warmth of Can's presence behind her.
"Your favourites," he confirmed, pride evident in his tone. "Planted them myself before we left, so they'd be ready to welcome us home."
"Home," she echoed, savouring the word, the concept, as it wrapped around her like a promise. Her mind teemed with thoughts of the chapters they would fill this space with, stories only they could tell. "Aww, Can!" She cried as leapt into his arms, holding him in a tight embrace for a few moments, showing him her love and gratitude .
