Price of Passion

Chapter 7: It's Complicated

Kemal smiles as Ayhan's bullet shot through the bullseye. Slinging the rifle over his back, he made his way towards her booth. He knew her since they were undergraduate students at the Istanbul University - she was a Law student whereas he was in the Faculty of Business and Economics. The two of them discovered their shared passion for range shooting when they met over a couple of drinks and snacks at a Club Event. Since then, they became the best of friends.

"Helal olsun," he said. "That was a fast score."

"It all comes down to skills and timing, Kemal," Ayhan smiled. "You're coming for lunch, right?"

"Not today, I'm afraid," he said. "I've got an appointment."

Ayhan laughed. "An appointment, you say?" She said. "Who's the lucky one, acaba?"

Kemal groaned. "A kiddo that got out alive from a traffic accident," he said. "He wanted to have physiotherapy exercises after being discharged from the hospital. Vallah, it was nothing short of miraculous, I must say. And don't forget I need to be there for the kids' basketball training."

"Which one's the bigger miracle," she smirked. "The patient or the paycheck?"

"Both," he said with a smile. "The boy's father is Mehmet Yaman, the billionaire CEO of Yaman Corporations."

Ayhan perked up at the name. "Mehmet Yaman mı?"

"Evet," Kemal continued. "And the boy would have been dead if it wasn't for the operating surgeon that did the surgery."

"Aslı Çinar Aslan," Ayhan said, taking Kemal by surprise.

"Nasıl biliyorsun?" Kemal said. "You know Doktor Aslı too?"

Ayhan shrugged her shoulders. "It's a small world, Kemal."

*****************************************************************

*Flashback*

"Aslı Abla," Özge said, her eyes full of shame and guilt. "You must hate me, biliyorum."

"How can you say that, Özgecim?" Aslı said gently. "I don't hate you, canım. I'm not even the least bit angry at you. It's not your fault."

"Bu yalan, değil mı?" Özge said. "You're trying to make me feel better. "

"Yalan yok, Özge," Aslı said. "Bana bak, bir şey söyleyicam sana. Ferhat or Cüneyt - it doesn't matter. What matters most is who you are."

Özge fell silent for a long while before she spoke. "Ama I don't want to go back home," she said. "Can I stay with you for now?"

"Özgecim," Aslı said. "Canım benim. I think it's best to talk things out with your Anne."

"Istemiyorum. Olmaz."

"I'll be with you," Aslı continued. "Merak etme. Nothing will happen, güven bana."

*End of Flashback*

Handan frowned as Vildan downed her umpteenth shot of vodka. Disgusted with her daughter's drunkenness, she took the bottle from her as Vildan slumped onto the table.

"Tövbe tövbe," Handan cackled. "Yazıklar olsun seni! You and your drinking, it never ends! How can you not even know that your daughter left the house?! Çok yazık!"

"Anne," Vildan groaned. "Lütfen sus, tamam mı? Now give me back my bottle."

Handan was about to yell at Vildan when she spotted a familiar shade of blonde following the tall woman she knew to be more noble and respectable than her own daughter. "Özgecim?" she perked up at the sight of her granddaughter. "Çok şükür! Where have you been? We're worried sick looking for you!"