The music thumped loudly through the walls, creating a rhythmic pulse that seemed to vibrate through Kenan Yıldız's entire body. He stood on the outskirts of the crowded living room, taking in the scene. It was Ali's idea to throw a party to celebrate their latest victory, and he had managed to gather a sizable crowd of friends, teammates, and acquaintances. Kenan had always preferred the quieter celebrations, but Ali's enthusiasm was infectious, and it was hard to say no to his best friend.
Kenan nursed his drink, glancing around the room. Ali had really gone all out with the decorations: streamers hung from the ceiling, balloons floated in clusters, and a makeshift dance floor had been cleared in the center of the living room. The atmosphere was lively, with people laughing, dancing, and generally enjoying themselves. Kenan couldn't help but smile at the sight. Ali knew how to throw a party, that was for sure.
"Kenan! There you are!" Ali's voice boomed over the music as he approached, a grin plastered on his face. He clapped Kenan on the shoulder, nearly making him spill his drink. "Having a good time?"
"Yeah, it's great," Kenan replied, though his voice lacked the same enthusiasm. "You really outdid yourself."
Ali beamed. "Thanks, man. It's all for the team, you know? We deserve to celebrate after that win."
Kenan nodded, his eyes scanning the room once more. As he did, his gaze landed on a girl standing by the snack table. She was talking to a couple of other guests, but there was something about her that caught his attention. Her long, dark hair fell in loose waves around her shoulders, and she wore a simple yet elegant dress that accentuated her graceful figure. She seemed to exude a quiet confidence, a calmness amidst the chaos of the party.
"Kenan, are you even listening to me?" Ali's voice snapped Kenan back to reality.
"Sorry, what?" Kenan asked, tearing his eyes away from the girl.
Ali laughed, shaking his head. "I was saying that we should start the next round of drinks. You in?"
"Yeah, sure," Kenan replied, though his mind was still on the girl by the snack table. He watched as she laughed at something one of her friends said, her smile lighting up her entire face. She looked so familiar, but he couldn't quite place where he had seen her before.
As Ali led him to the kitchen to grab more drinks, Kenan found himself glancing back at the girl. She turned slightly, her eyes scanning the room, and for a brief moment, their gazes locked. Kenan felt a jolt of electricity run through him. Her eyes were a striking shade of hazel, and in that fleeting moment, it felt as though the rest of the room had faded away. She looked away quickly, but the connection lingered in the air, leaving Kenan feeling both intrigued and confused.
"Kenan, seriously, what's up with you tonight?" Ali asked, handing him a beer.
"Nothing, just... thinking," Kenan replied, trying to sound casual. He took a sip of the beer, hoping it would calm his racing thoughts.
Ali raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. "Thinking about what? Or should I say, who?"
Kenan felt his cheeks heat up. "It's nothing, really."
Ali shrugged, deciding to let it go. "Alright, man. Just relax and have a good time. That's what tonight's all about."
Kenan nodded, but as the night wore on, he found it increasingly difficult to focus on anything other than the girl. He saw her a few more times, always from a distance, and each time their eyes met, it felt like a silent conversation was taking place. He couldn't understand why he felt such a strong pull towards her, but there was no denying the attraction.
As the party continued, Kenan found himself mingling with different groups of people, but his mind kept drifting back to the girl. Who was she? Why did she seem so familiar? And why did he feel this intense need to talk to her?
Finally, as the party began to wind down, Kenan found himself standing alone near the back of the room, lost in thought. He glanced around, hoping to catch one last glimpse of the girl before the night ended. To his surprise, she was standing just a few feet away, looking out the window at the night sky.
Summoning his courage, Kenan walked over to her. "Hey," he said softly.
She turned to face him, a surprised but pleasant smile on her face. "Hi."
"I'm Kenan," he said, feeling a bit awkward but determined to start a conversation. "I don't think we've met."
She smiled, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "I'm Leyla. Ali's sister."
Kenan's eyes widened in shock. "Ali's sister? I... I didn't realize."
Leyla laughed lightly. "It's okay. We haven't seen each other in a long time. I guess I've changed a bit."
Kenan shook his head, still processing the revelation. "Yeah, I guess so. I just... didn't expect to see you here."
"Ali insisted I come," Leyla explained. "He said it would be good for me to get out and socialize more."
Kenan nodded, feeling a mix of emotions. He was captivated by her beauty and presence, but he also felt a pang of guilt. Ali was his best friend, and Leyla was off-limits. But as they stood there, holding each other's gaze, Kenan couldn't help but feel drawn to her.
"So, are you enjoying the party?" Kenan asked, trying to keep the conversation light.
"It's been fun," Leyla replied. "A bit overwhelming, but fun. It's nice to see Ali so happy."
"Yeah, he really knows how to throw a party," Kenan agreed, smiling.
They stood there for a moment, the silence between them comfortable but charged with unspoken tension. Kenan wanted to say more, to ask her about herself, but he knew it wasn't the right time or place. Instead, he just enjoyed the moment, grateful for the unexpected encounter.
"I should probably find Ali and say goodbye," Leyla said finally, breaking the silence.
Kenan nodded, his heart sinking a little. "Yeah, of course."
"It was nice meeting you, Kenan," Leyla said, her smile warm and genuine.
"Nice meeting you too, Leyla," Kenan replied, watching as she walked away.
