Made For Me

Chapter 7

I had an enjoyable evening at the bar with Ferit last Thursday. After confessing our feelings, Ferit took my hand and introduced me to his friends. When Demir noticed me holding hands with Ferit, I felt the urge to disappear. Oh man do I wish a shark would eat me alive right now! I'm sure Demir saw my entire face turn red. Then, I saw Fatos and Engin flirting with each other. All I heard was Fatos asked Engin if his blazer was Italian wool and two seconds later I see them sucking face in a secluded corner of the bar. I wonder if Fatos will remember his name?

The atmosphere shifted when Ferit's cousin arrived at the bar, causing a noticeable change in the mood. The men around us appeared more serious. I sensed Ferit gripping my hand a little tighter. "Ferit, you're holding on too tightly," I whispered in his ear. His eyes flickered, as if he had suddenly snapped out of a trance.

"Hakan" I hear Ferit say angrily. 

"I'd thought I stop by. Hangout with the guys!" Hakan said sarcastically as he signaled the bartender for a beer. "Who's this little cutie you've got here, Ferit?" Hakan inquired, eyeing me up. Feeling uncomfortable under his gaze, I take a step back. 

"None of your business, Hakan," Ferit interjected, turning to me. "Do you want to go home?" I nod. "Let's go." As I moved to approach Fatos, I noticed she was content leaving with Engin. I went to approach Fatos but she was okay with leaving with Engin. Dam they still have their mouths stuck to each other, have they broken the world record? 

Ferit and I exit the bar walking side by side in easy silence, and about two minutes later we arrive at his car. Ferit parks the car in front of my apartment, he runs his hands down my arm sending shivers through me. "Good night Nazli. I'm glad we talked and cleared the air." He takes my hand and kisses it. 

"Me too" I decide to give him a kiss on the cheek and then go inside. 

----***----

"Oh look at you with that nude glossy lip." Fatos playfully whistles as I walk towards her.

"What do you think?"

"If he doesn't kiss you before the end of the night then he is an idiot. You look good girl."I smile. 

For my first date with Ferit, hopefully not the last... I'm wearing a square dark green knit dress with heels and a long denim jacket. My hair is down with curled ends. Fatos styled me because she saw my panic face when I had to plan an outfit. I sit on the couch next to Fatos to wait for Ferit "so... Engin?" I ask wiggling my eyebrows at her. 

"I know," she blushes. It's the first time I've seen Fatos so shy. I lift one of my eyebrows at her and playfully waving my index finger at her. She sighs, "Okay. I really like him. Since Thursday night, we've been texting, and we have so much in common. He's so cute twigs!"

"I'm happy for you Fatos" I lean my head on her shoulder. 

"Look at us." 

"Yeah, look at us" we laugh. 

I receive a text from Ferit that he is downstairs and I wave goodbye to Fatos. I hop in the car and shyly say 'hello' to my prince charming in his blue suit. 

Ferit took us to a nice restaurant, it wasn't super over the top which I really appreciated. It was a charming mom and pop restaurant and I loved it. Throughout our date we talked about friends, life, our family dynamic. "My mother has been a difficult woman, she focuses on social norms while Zeynep and I don't care. She has to constantly correct us because she cares so much about her pristine reputation."

I bite my lip and sadly agree. "I can see that. Zeynep's party showed how much status matters. I appreciate that you are different." I reach over to hold his hand.