Eda & Serkan knew each other as children, but life drifted them apart. Once best friends, they fall back into their usual rapport when Serkan comes home. Yet, Eda isn't as transparent as she used to be. And what she keeps to herself might be more th...
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The look on Kiraz's face scared Serkan; the child seemed utterly puzzled.
Was it his impression that Kiraz was apprehensive?
He didn't dare approach her or speak for fear of an imminent rejection.
"Anne?" Kiraz repeated. Eda walked toward the child and away from the paralyzed Serkan to take the sketchbook from Kiraz's hand. "What's going on? Why won't anyone say anything?"
Melo entered the living room in a rush, excusing herself. "I left her for a minute. She asked for a toy she'd left up on the terrace... and when I returned, she was gone," Melo blurted out.
"It's fine, sweetie," Mustafa soothed.
Kiraz gazed at her parents, who seemed distraught. Then she turned to Eda and Serkan. Eda looked guilty, and Serkan seemed overwhelmed.
She walked toward her father, "Baba, can you tuck me in, and you read me a story?"
"Of course, my princess," Mustafa responded. "What would you like to read today?"
"Fairy Tales," the child quickly answered, walking with Mustafa hand-in-hand up the stairs.
"Didn't you say you were too old for Fairy Tales last time?" Eda could hear her father probing.
"Na-uh. I'm not. I'm still your baby," Kiraz chuckled, side-hugging him.
"Do you think she heard anything?" Serkan enquired, concerned.
Ayfer responded, "It doesn't seem like she did. However, I do think she realized something was up with Eda or Mustafa. Kiraz is quite susceptible and picks up on everyone's emotions." Observing her daughter, she added, "Canim, you need to breathe. You look devastated."
"I can't help it, Anne," she mumbled.
"Would you like me to make you some tea?" Ayfer offered.
"Honestly, I just want to go home," Eda confessed, paining Ayfer further.
Realizing what her sister's phrase meant to their mother, Melo softly said, "You are home, Eda."
"Will you take Kiraz with you?" Ayfer wondered in fright. While she was asking Eda, the florist looked directly at Serkan.
"And uproot my Kiraz from her home, from whom she believes are her parents? I'm not that impervious to my daughter's feelings," she spat, causing Serkan to pull on her arm.
"Maybe it is a good idea for us to go. Come back tomorrow when everyone... has cooled off," Serkan suggested.
"I'm going to my home. You're going to yours," Eda punctuated.
"That's fine," Serkan agreed without a fight. "Is it okay if I say goodbye to Kiraz?" Serkan asked Ayfer.
