Anything Could Happen

All Too Soon

Chapter 11.

Delnaz's POV

After saying goodbye to a good friend, after watching him/her drive away, we all have that empty feeling that settles upon us. That feeling wraps around us and threatens to squeeze the happiness out of us, like squeezing the juice out of a lemon.

That's how it felt when Yıldız left the next day. I turned around after waving till Yıldız's father's car disappeared down the street, my droopy shoulders somehow making it difficult to move forward.

"Delnaz!"

"Yes, Mother?" I called back. The smell of chicken curry drifted down the street and drew me towards the house. I wish Yıldız could've stayed for lunch.

"Delnaz?" My mother called again.

"What?" This time I was louder as I hurriedly entered the house. I poked my head into the kitchen. My mother had Ismet in one arm and was stirring the curry with her other hand. "What is it, Mother?"

"Oh, Delnaz. Come here and take Ismet from me. Keep him busy for a while."

"Alright. Where's Aunt Hamida?" Aunty usually did the cooking since mother was almost always busy with Ismet.

"She and Uncle Reşit went to pick Hamid up from the airport."

I turned around to leave but stopped in my tracks when what Mother said had fully sunken in. "What?"

My mother faced me, shaking her head as she did so. "I guess your cousin Hamid is back in the picture. Apparently he has something important to let us all know."

"Hamid was never close to us. I wonder what he needs to tell us..."

"If you think about it, we are the closest family he's got after his parents and sister."

"Oh yes, how's Farida doing?"

"She's fine. Hamida called her a few days ago. She said that it's getting really cold. She couldn't speak for long because it was so early and her husband was asleep next to her."

"Celal?"

"Yes. He's such a good man. Farida said he offered to fly us over."

The only time I had ever seen Farida's little girl, Safia, was when they came over for Hamid's wedding. Yes, my high class, overly proud cousin got married in Turkey. He originally wanted to get married in Thailand but I guess he saw the light and decided that his country was important to him.

"Wow. Celal must be rich."

"I guess so."

"So Hamid is staying with us?"

"Hmm yes. He says he misses all of us."

"He seems to have changed."

"I guess we'll have to wait and see."

3:16pm - Hamid is home.

Everyone rushed to the door. My mother momentarily forgot about the feast she was preparing for Hamid's arrival and rushed to the door. My father, however, was the first person at the door. I anxiously trailed behind my parents with Ismet in my arms.

Our front door opened to reveal a tall, somewhat handsome man. Hamid wore a lumber jacket and expensive-looking suede lace-ups. His jeans were neat and he had a bit of stubble on his face. Despite my expectations of a snotty cousin, Hamid had a bright smile on his face. A smile that you could see was sincere.

My little brother giggled when he saw Hamid. Birds of a feather flock together I guess.

Hamid greeted my parents and walked over to me, taking Ismet from my arms and saying sweet things to him. "Hello, Delnaz."