𝑅𝑒𝑚𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑠 𝑂𝑓 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑃𝑎𝑠𝑡 | ( 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐝 )

24

The operation had started. Ekim was sitting outside. She had switched off her and Kanat's phones. They both came out of the house early in the morning. They also had breakfast outside. From Kanat's favourite restaurant. Ekim let out a deep breath and drifted back into memories. When she had a heart attack listening to Melissa, she promised herself that she would never see Kanat's face again. A tear fell from her right eye. 
 

7 years ago

It's the thief of time,
Who won't let you be mine.
Keeps stealing you away.
For most of everyday.

Why do our moments go so fast,
When all I want is them to last.
Must be thief of time,
Who won't let you be mine.

Hooria Iftikhar

Ekim was sitting in her wheelchair and writing this poem when she heard the knock on the door. She thought it was Kanat; she closed her diary and corrected her hair. She started moving her wheelchair towards the door and opened it. But it was her mom. Her smile faded, and she left the room. She was going again to her studio when her mother called out, “baby, will you go to your therapy today?” She asked with hope. “Mom I'm not in the mood.” She said it sadly. Nese's smile faded. “But I know it's at 5:00 pm; I'll go alone today.” You should cook my favourite food for me. Ekim turned and smiled while continuing her sentence. That was the last day Ekim waited for Kanat. 

Present

Ekim opened her eyes and looked here and there. Nobody was in the corridor. Surgery was still going on. Ekim still remembers that poem. She repeated it slowly under her breath. She doesn't know how many hours passed when the doctor came towards her. “The surgery was successful.” Doctor said. And he said something more too, but Ekim didn't reply to anything. When the doctor passed by her, she turned on her phone, and there were so many messages and calls from almost everyone. She ignored all of them and called Hazal back. “Hello, Ekim!!! Where are you both? We are so stressed here; your phones are turned off, and you didn't tell anyone anything!” Hazal shouted from the other side. “Hazal,” Ekim said slowly. “Ekim, what happened? Why is your voice so heavy? Did you cry? Where is Kanat?” Hazal asked with fear. Orginal and Aziz were standing near her, their ears fixed on her phone. “I'm at the city hospital. Kanat's surgery is almost done... You guys should come here; his room is 19.” She said that and cut the call. “What happened to Kanat?” Aziz asked with concern. “I don't know; she didn't say anything.” Hazal replied. They were all waiting for Ekim and Kanat to return home since afternoon. When Ekim reached home, no one was there except Nese and Ciçek. “What happened, Ekim?” Nese said it with worry. Ekim looked at her. “Where is Ciçek?” She asked slowly. “She is sleeping. She doesn't know anything yet.” Nese replied. “Hmm.” Ekim replied with a hmm while nodding her head. She headed toward the stairs. “Wait!” Nese held her arm. “Mom, he had a tumor,  and he told me that last night.” Ekim said it with irritation and rushed towards the stairs. Nese looked at her back. Ekim wasn't looking fine at all. Ekim threw her bag and phone on the bed and then went to wash her face. The past began to occupy her mind again, so she took out a sleeping pill and, after swallowing it with water, laid down to sleep. When Nese knocked on the door, Ekim did not answer. Nese opened the door and entered. She had a tray of food in her hand, but Ekim was fast asleep. Nese exhaled deeply and then went back. She knew that Ekim had taken sleeping pills, and she also knew why Ekim had taken sleeping pills. But she couldn't do anything about it. 

Fifteen days later

Kanat was to return from the hospital today. But instead of staying at home, Ekim went to the office today. It was six o'clock in the evening when she returned home. Kanat was sitting on the lounge sofa, talking with his daughter. Ekim's mother was cooking. Ekim walked towards the stairs in silence. Çiçek had not seen her yet. When Kanat saw Ekim, he smiled, but Ekim did not smile. She went straight up. Kanat came up behind her. Ekim never went to the hospital again. “Ekim!” Kanat called from behind. “Yes?” Ekim said softly. “Are you alright?” Kanat approached her and said, His eyes were on Ekim, and his hand was on her abdomen. “Yeah, I'm!” Ekim and turned around. “How was your appointment? Did you go for a checkup again? How is our baby?” Kanat asked excitedly. “All was well.” Ekim replied and then entered the bathroom. Kanat was standing there, dumb.....

Kanat was sitting and taking his medicine, and Ekim was working on his table chair. Kanat glanced at her and then at the door. The door to the room was closed. He lay down on the bed to sleep. Ekim was busy. “Ekim!” Kanat raised his head and looked at him. “What happened?” Ekim said this without looking up. “Do you forgive me?” Ekim spoke before Kanat's sentence was finished. “No, I can't forgive you!” Ekim's tone was stern and restrained. Kanat watched her for a few moments. “Why?” He asked softly. “Because whatever you did to me and the suffering I had to endure because of you, I will never forget!” She replied sternly. “Ekim, don't forget that you hurt me first!” Kanat argued back. Ekim got even more angry. “What did I do to hurt you, Kanat?” Ekim asked angrily. She left her work and stood up, came to the middle of the room, and started asking. Kanat also got up and stood in front of her. “You recorded my voice...” Kanat also spoke a little angrily. He didn't want to fight Ekim in this condition. “Well, so that's it?” Ekim said it angrily. She picked up her phone from the table and then played Kanat a recording that Kanat listened to in shock. He looked at Ekim in shock. That recording was of Police Officer Seljuk. In which Ekim was telling him that he has proof of Kanat's innocence and that he is not at fault in this accident. “You know what, Kanat? The court never punishes Aziz for ordering a mask. And neither you, because you were just friends with Melissa and Ozan. Punishment was to be given only to the original right holders. But what did you do? You can't even control yourself. Well, I did wrong by recording your voice, but I don't need your forgiveness for that, Kanat.... Forgive me; I'm doing all this to save you and your brother from the police! You have no reason to apologize! You did everything that came to your mind! Well yeah I did wrong but you did more wrong than me” Ekim took one look at him and then left the room. Ekim had spoken a little too much. She entered Çiçek's room and then locked the door. Kanat exhaled deeply and looked around. The room was empty. Ekim had gone. Ekim had said everything that was on his mind. Kanat had come to know the truth today as to why Ekim had actually recorded his voice.