Constantinople's Cherry

IV - 45. Hakikat

Serkan looked at the sky, it was clear and full of stars for a rare occasion in the middle of this parisian winter. He had taken a blanket and was sitting on the rooftop of their building, with Eda's picture in his hands. He looked at the shining stars, eyes glossy.

He used to find refuge like this on the roof whenever he missed her too much, and gaze at the stars, exactly like he used to when they were teenagers, but with her.

"You'd be so happy and proud if you were here Eda, she's wonderful. She's bright and intelligent, she's had a good childhood and has a lot of friends, an entire life here." Serkan spoke to the picture, gazing at the sky. 

He didn't speak in over two decades, but now that he could, he liked speaking to Eda and telling her things, specially about Kiraz. 

Still thinking her dead, Serkan had been brought peace and acceptance by the coming back of his daughter. He still missed Eda as much but her loss was perhaps a little more acceptable, it had a purpose and a legacy in Kiraz. It eased off a bit of the immense weight on his chest to see parts of Eda living throught Kiraz. 

"She is as stubborn as you thought..." Serkan chuckled and sniffed. "About everything. But she's so good, she has your heart, she helps out everyone and is engaged in a dozen causes." Serkan smiled sadly.

He sniffed, shedding a couple of tears. "There's many promises to you that I didn't fulfill, but you asked me to give some love on your behalf to her ? I do Eda." Serkan inhaled. "Every time I hug her or kiss her forehead, I add a little extra affection from your side." He let out.

"But there's no one to give me your side of love, and I don't think I can ever replace you, that I can't do, I am sorry." He sniffed and looked up at the shiny sky. "I miss you." He breathed tearily.

-

Sayeda Dada sat on the beach at night, staring at the sky full of stars. Orphan children that reminded her of Kiraz were the main thing that made her pick this covent to settle down. But another thing was its proximity with the sea. Eda loved the calming sound of the waves softly crashing against the sand.

The moonlight reflected brightly in the water and the fresh breeze soothed her senses. She looked up at the bright stars and her heart ached. Wasn't that exactly how their love story had started. 

An innocent, naive sixteen years old had fallen in love with a pure young boy, and they had never given up being loyal to each other, till death tore them apart.

Eda envisionned her life as a long journey of patience, patience and grace she'd have to do untill she could die and be with her Serkan and Kiraz again. She missed them everyday. 

Serkan was her doomed love, and in this world full of hate and monstruosity, he had a heart of gold and had shown her love in its purest and most beautiful form. She cherished that man to her heart, he was unreal. 

And Kiraz, her tiny little infant. She was an angel that returned to the world of angels. Eda hoped her baby didn't blame her too much, that she didn't suffer too much for the little while she was with them. It hurt a lot to think she had raised so many babies but couldn't protect her own. 

"Affetmek kizim benim..." Sayeda Dada let out, tears dropping from her eyes as she looked at the stary sky.

....

Eda heard cries, loud cries piercing the sky. A baby's. A baby that she was trying to reach but couldn't see. The darkness was suddenly lit by fire that set everything around her ablaze.

She coughed, smelling the rancid smoke as she strained to hear the crying baby. "Kiraz!" She cried out, she needed to find her, save her. "Kiraz !!" She called out again.