With Love, Nuri [1] ✅

20. After effects

[•Nuri's POV•]

I slowly turned the knob and peeped out, Ferit bey was standing outside. On seeing him I was so relieved that it wasn't the lady, "She's not here!" I said to myself and took a deep breath, "Were you expecting someone?" he asked, "Why would I expect for some madwoman at my door?"

"Huh? No!" I half yelled, Ferit bey gave me a very weird stare as if I was the madwoman here, "I mean... Not like that... Uh... I was just thinking something else... But Ferit bey what are you doing here? Would you like to come in?" I asked, knowing I would feel braver in his company, but he denied me. "No thank you. Idris sent me, he said that he had called you but then he heard a loud sound or something?" said Ferit bey. "Ah! It was him..." I mumbled, Ferit bey gave me an even uncertain look, and it was clear from his expression, "You are really sick, aren't you?"

"Uh... Why did he call me?" I asked, "He is sick now, and he said that he wanted to see you, but I told him that you were feeling worse, so he took my phone and called you secretly" "Is he sick?" I asked worriedly and Ferit bey nodded. "By the way... Aren't you feeling ill now?" he asked. "I feel way better than yesterday, but my body hurts a bit, that's all" I said and smiled. "Is he really very sick?" I asked again. "The doctor said, its lung infection but it's nothing to worry about" said Ferit bey. "So will you come?" he asked and I nodded. "Let me just get my scarf... and I will be down in a moment" I said. "Tamam... In that case, I will wait down" he said.

I thought Bashir might have brought him or at least Idris might be in the car, but Ferit bey came alone. When I got in at the back seat, Ferit bey grinned to himsef, as if he was sure I would do that.I leaned a bit forward and asked him, "Why didn't Idris come?" "He fell asleep after drinking his medicine. Çıhan is with him now" "Oh..." I mumbled as he started the car.

"He loves you a lot" said Ferit bey and smiled at me from the rear view mirror. I never expected him to say that and I leaned back front, "Of course! Even I love him so much. He is so talented and sweet, anybody will love him!" I said and chuckled. Suddenly that day came to my mind when Idris was reluctant to talk about his parents, the question of Demir Fariz also bothered me, so I fell silent suddenly.

"What happened?" asked Ferit bey, still smiling and looked at me from the rear view mirror. "Ferit bey can I ask you something?" I said, "Is there something wrong? he asked, changing his expression, "Where are Idris's parents?" I asked straight and he looked away from the rear view mirror. "They died almost a year back in a helicopter accident" he said and sighed.

I was shocked.

The child lost his parents at such a young age, well, like me, but still.. I don't even remember mine and I am sure Idris remembers every detail about his' "So... you are his... uh..." "Idris is my cousin's son, Özgür's nephew... After the accident, the court gave his custody to my father so he lives with us" said Ferit bey. I nodded trying to digest what I'd heard.

"But why does he call you 'abi'?" I asked, "He thinks of me as his big brother... Moreover he has heard Oznür call me that" he said and smiled sadly at the road. I was confused again so he made it clear, "Oznür is Idris's mother" said Ferit bey, "Oh... I am sorry" I said and he gave me a small nod.

I didn't ask him more as he was already depressed, so the rest of the ride was passed in silence.

×××

We reached the house and I saw Çihan sitting on the couch with the newspaper. "Selam! Good evening" he said when he saw me and shook my hand, "Good evening" I replied and smiled. "Idris is still asleep in his room, Nazmiya hanim called me, the people from the other company have come and we have to be there" said Çihan, "Tamam, I'll just see Idris and then leave Nuri back home" said Ferit bey and lead me to the boy's room upstairs.