A Cinderella Story - ZeyBar

Chapter Twenty-five

Zeynep.

I hear the sound of the engine and I know what's next. I am standing in front of my grandmother's house, where I loved spending time as a child. It was the most peaceful place in the world. Especially after another scandal at home, after which mom would hold my hand and we would come to grandma's for a few days.

Now I'm sitting in the car and I'm afraid to open the door to get out. I've never had this feeling. I can't even describe it. Mom and I have fought many times, but always over something unimportant and stupid. I've never had it this hard. I'm ashamed. Maybe that's what bothers me the most. I don't know how I'm going to look her in the eyes after everything I've done to her. I am a terrible daughter raised by a wonderful mother.

A hand on my shoulder brings me back to reality. "Come on, Zeynep," Emine whispers to me from the back seat, and I raise my hand to wipe the tears from my face.

I look at the man next to me and he gives me a reassuring smile. I nod. It's about time. I'm pretty sure Mom must be inside. I can't think of anyone else she could go to. I was the closest person to her and that brings another tear to my eye.

I press the bell button and realize how unprepared I feel. I don't know how or what to tell her. Barış squeezes my other hand and it reminds me that I'm not alone. Mom too, and I'll make her forgive me...

The door finally opens and Grandma stands in front of me with a soft smile. I hug her tightly and without asking her if mom is here, I see the answer in her eyes. When we part, Emine and Barış greet her with a slight nod, and she moves away from the door to invite us inside. I take the first step through the threshold of her home and stop to turn around and wait for Barısh. I can't do it alone. He intertwines our fingers and we step forward together, looking around for Mom.

We find her in the living room, apparently already aware of the fact who has come. Silently and slowly, her eyes look up at us, then they settle on our hands before locking into mine. We look at each other for like hours. Neither does she speak, nor do I know how to begin this.

Barış releases his hand from mine and quietly whispers to me that he will leave us alone, but he will wait for me in the corridor. I nod and in seconds it's just the two of us in the room. I step forward slowly, still hoping she'll say something. Damn stubbornness, I obviously inherited it from her.

"Mom?" I whisper. She closes her eyes, shifting her gaze to the window. "Can we talk?" - I add.

"Did you think of that now, Zeynep?" - she says calmly, slowly turning her head towards me. - "Did you remember now that you have a mother you can talk to?"

The next moment she is already walking towards me, passes me and leaves. This is going to be harder than I thought. She is hurt.

"Mom, stop!" - I run after her, and she has already left the house and is walking away with quick steps. - "Wait! Mom, please!" - I decide not to give up. I'll talk to her no matter what I hear, no matter what.

"Leave me alone, Zeynep" - she does not stop walking down the street even for a moment.

"Mom, let's talk, please!" - I start running towards her, and at the same time my heart breaks, and the cold outside releases my tears with ease. - "Mom, stop, I can explain everything!!"

"Can you, Zeynep?!" - she turns around so suddenly that I startle. Her eyes have increased in size, her anger finally unleashed to stop her from running away. "How are you going to explain to me everything you made me go through? That shame? What explanation can you have for all the ugly lies?! I am listening, Zeynep??" - her voice echoes the whole street and, together with the cold, makes me shiver.