Strangers

Chapter 2

POV Eda

So here I am, the third time in the same week, buying a coffee and a pastry from Melo's place... and having a little chat with her too. It's nice to have someone to talk to. And what's wrong with that? It's not like we're besties. And if I leave this town, I don't think I'll miss her. It's not a friendship, it's more like an employee-customer thing.

She seemed pretty busy today with a lot of flowers around her. She didn't even notice me when I came in.

"Here's your order, dear. I'm sorry for the mess," she says handing me the paper bag with my order.

"That's fine, thank you, Melo!" I say and watch her coming back to the flowers.

"Well, I'm so lost with these flowers! Usually, my mom does all of this but she's sick so here I am..."

"Oh, so sorry to hear about your mom. Hope she feels better soon," I tell her.

"Thanks, Eda!"

She keeps looking at the flowers and she is definitely struggling.

"You should put the tulips in the jar on the counter, next to where people pay. And then a variety of roses, gladiolus, and gerberas with plumosus and leather leaf. The green will look good in the middle of so many colors of the flowers," I tell her.

"I... what... how..." she manages to say something but she seems shocked. "How do you know the name of the flowers? How did you just say it like it was a normal thing?"

"I like flowers. And they're not as difficult as you think they are. Flowers are flowers, you put them together and they will look great because they are."

"But I would never thought about putting them together the way you did! That was amazing, fabulous! You just saved my day, you my hero, Eda."

I laugh. This girl exhales energy. For real.

"Would you mind helping me, please?" She asks me.

"What? Oh sorry, Melo but I can't... and you can do it!" I tell her.

"Pretty please?" She gives me what I think are her puppy eyes.

"But my coffee..."

"I'll give you another one, a hot one, I promise. Please!"

I have two options here: leave or stay.

I should leave and go home. At least there I know I'm safe.

Or I can stay and help Melo. And get to do something different for once. Not hiding from anything or anyone. Being normal.

"Okay, but only for a few minutes," I tell her.

"You're the best!"

🦋🦋🦋

Melo and I were having a coffee after we finished with the flowers. It was fun, I had a great time with her. And the place was even more beautiful with all the colorful flowers.

It's strange but I really like this moment around the flowers. And talk to someone who's not me.

"Oh my god," Melo says very quickly and quietly. "He's coming, act normal!"

"Who's..." I look at the door and there he is.

The man with a photography camera. Serkan.

Why would she demand me to act normal? What the f-!

"Hello, ladies," he says as he approaches.

"Hi, Serkan!" Melo says getting up from the chair. "Will you have the usual?"