The Wedding Night...

Dying of boredom...

"He is dead." Baran thought he heard his friend wrong. "What did you just say?" He listened to Okhan move in the background, followed by a grunting noise. "He is dead. Hassan is dead... The SUV he was in crashed against the rail on the road." Baran was skeptical. "Okhan, did you see him with your own eyes? Did you check for a pulse yourself?" After everything Baran had experienced lately, he needed to be sure. "Trust me, I saw the body myself, and yes, I checked for a pulse." Baran closed his eyes, taking in the news. The man was related to him by blood, but he felt nothing but relief. Even in jail, Baran knew he would always have to keep an eye on him. This was the best outcome. He was sorry for his cousin and his grandmother, but that was it. "And you? Are you alright? We heard crashing noises." He had neglected to ask his friend. "Trying to avoid the vehicle, we crashed into the mountain. I'm a little sore here and there, but nothing a few days off won't fix... Baran! There is something else you need to know." Baran frowned expectantly. "Derya... Derya was also in the SUV with Hassan." Derya? Firat had told him she was helping him financially, but that was it. What was she doing there? "Is she also..." His friend didn't give him time to finish the question. "No, she survived, but barely. She is in the hospital in critical condition." Baran thought about his recent conversation with Dilan. "Okhan... If she survives... I'm prepared to use the evidence we had on hold." His friend replied. "I'm glad you finally decided to. It was long overdue." Baran lifted his eyes and saw Firat approaching. "Yes, it is. Okhan, thank you for calling. I hope you recover in no time. I will visit you when I'm back in the city."

Baran didn't know how the news would affect his cousin. If he considered everything, Firat, like him, had to deal with many bad things in a short period. He turned to Mr. Hikmet. "Would you stay with Dilan for a few minutes?" The man nodded and entered the room. "Firat, can we talk outside?" His cousin was visibly confused by the situation. Baran walked him to the park in the back of the hospital. "Firat, I need to tell you something..." He was hesitant, which made his cousin impatient. "Is it that woman? Did she die?" Baran quickly denied it with his head. "Is your dad... Firat, Hassan died while being chased by the police..." Firat stumbled back. Baran grabbed him fast and prevented him from falling to the ground. He located a bench near them and led his cousin in that direction, after which he helped him sit. "Firat, I will call my secretary. You need to be back in Istanbul. She will make the necessary arrangements." Firat was staring into nothing. No word came out of his mouth, nor was there any sign that he understood what Baran had told him. His cousin was in shock. Baran grabbed him by the shoulders and shook him. "Firat!... Firat!..." His eyes landed on him. He seemed lost. "Firat, do you understand what I just said?" His cousin stood, took a couple of steps, and turned. A tear was falling on his face. "I'm sorry. I know I should not be crying, after everything he has done... did.. but..." Baran went to him. "No, Firat. He was your father. It's understandable for you to feel like this. No one will reproach you that." After Baran's words, Firat fell on his knees and sobbed like a child. He realized that his cousin never stopped being that child who craved his father's love, and now he knows he will never get it. Baran kneeled beside him and held him in silence.

Dilan woke up in a room with no Baran in it. She looked around and found Mr. Hikmet instead. "Where is Baran?" She was confused. Before she fell asleep, she was sure Mr. Hikmet had said he was leaving. Why was he still there, and where was her husband? "Baran is outside talking on the phone. He will return shortly." Dilan was not convinced. She had a bad feeling about this. Before she could dwell more on the subject, Baran entered the room. "Dilan!" Something was off with her husband. It was written all over his face. "I'll leave you alone." Baran nodded and Mr. Hikmet left. "Where were you?" He sat by her side on the bed and grabbed her hand. "I was making a few phone calls." No, he was hiding something. "Baran, where were you?" He put one hand over her belly, caressing her. "Like I said, I was on the phone. Why?" She studied his face. "Who were you talking to?" He grabbed her hand and kissed it. "Okhan." She tried to sit. "Dilan, please. What are you doing?" Baran ended up helping her. "Is he caught?" She was searching his eyes. "He won't be bothering us ever again." She could tell he was not lying. Dilan exhaled. She was happy. She and her family would be safe from now on. However, it didn't escape her that Baran's words were not a direct answer to her question. "Is there something else?" He indicated no with his head. "How are you two feeling?" She smiled widely and put her hand on her belly with his. "We are fine and looking forward to tomorrow so we can leave this hospital." Baran took out his phone. "Who are you texting?" He replied while he typed. "The company that arranged our trip. I need them to find us a house where we can stay until it is safe for you to travel. I don't feel comfortable staying for that long in a hotel."