Wooden House

He looked nervous.

-I... I am.... just...

He held out the red roses.

- Thank you for your help and I'm so sorry for what I've done.

I got the bouquet.

-It's okay, Arslan. Would you like to come inside?

He stood there for a while, indecisive. I grabbed his arm and pulled him inside.

We went into the hall. I offered cookies and tea. The tension was still not over.

- I don't understand how you can forgive me.

I didn't know that either. Despite what he had done, I was able to forgive him.

- I don't know either, but...

- But?

He was looking at me. It was pretty close as we sat next to each other, his face.

- Don't treat me like that again.

He averted his eyes.

- I am sorry.

We sat in silence for a while.

- I suppose you have stopped asking questions now?

I looked at him. He took one of the cookies.

-Yes. If you want to tell me, I'll listen, but I won't ask again.

He spoke after a while.

- Why did you move here?

- My father remarried. His new wife is a doctor here. My father also transferred to the hospital where he was located.

-I see. So how is she?

- Who?

- Get it. Your new mom. How is she with you?

- First, she is not my mother. The second is fine.

His brown eyes lit up with curiosity. He scanned my face.

- I hope that's true. What about your mother?

- They broke up when I was one year old. I never knew her.

- I understand. What about your friends? Do you miss them?

I didn't hesitate. Rüzgar came to my mind. His warm green eyes… Those eyes... Then I remembered the fact that I had decided to forget about him. So how would I do this?

At that moment, his hand reached out to my face. And wiped my tears that I was not aware of.

Then he turned back.

I just tried to get out of that mood.

-I miss it, but after a while...

He cut me off.

- You forget. It may be difficult now, but one gets used to it after a while.

No Deniz, you will not ask questions.

His phone rang.

-Yes?

- Now?

- All right, I'll be right there.

He hung up the phone.

- Thanks. I have to go now.

- All right. Thank you for the roses.

He just looked. But his gaze seemed to be telling something. His facial expression was not as stern as usual.

He went out. I stood at the door. When he got out, he turned to me. He waved, and I waved to him.

When I came in, I heard the ringing of my phone that I forgot in the kitchen. It was Umut. I did, unwillingly.

- Yeah?

- Deniz?

- Yes Umut?

- Well, I was just wondering about you. I didn't see you at school today?

- I didn't want to come. That's it.

-I see. I was going to say something. If you don't have anything to do tomorrow, shall we meet?

- Sorry.

-Uhh...Okay. So another time.

There was silence for a couple of minutes.

- Well then... See you later.

- Good evening.

It was rude to act that way, I know. But I don't want to give him the wrong message, okay? So if I were in his place, we are no different from each other; I don't want to be unnecessarily hopeful.

I called Peri. Her mother answered again and said she was sleeping.

I was very worried about this girl. I decided to visit her tomorrow.

I got a message on my way to my room. From Rüzgar!

'How are you doing?'

'I'm doing good. You?'

'I'm fine. How was your day?'

'It's okay. How was yours?'

'It was not bad.'

Half an hour passed while I waited for him to text. He called instead of texting.

-Deniz, are you free to talk?

- Yes.

- I don't like texting though. So how did you adapt there?

- Yes. I'm just getting used to it.

- It's nice. So, does that woman treat you well?

- Yes, of course.

- Please don't hesitate to call if you have a problem.

- All right. I will.

-You never leave my mind.

What was that? Why did he start talking like that? It was as if he knew that I had decided to forget him... It was as if he was trying to reconnect him... What had changed?

- You too, my friend.

I said when I was yawning.

It was very difficult to call him my friend. My heartbeat quickened.

- Sweet dreams, my cookie.

My cookie? He used this nickname when we were in middle school. We were such close friends back then! I remember those days. The trips we went to, the movies we watched, the concerts we went...

And that red-haired girl who drove us away! Rüzgar's first girlfriend. She was so jealous of our intimacy that she eventually slandered me about trying to separate them. And the saddest part was that Rüzgar doubted it, even though he didn't say it openly. Instead of trusting his friend for many years, he believed her. After a two-year relationship, the girl left and never called Rüzgar again.

That's in the past, I reminded myself. It was childish things, and how many times did Rüzgar apologize, I said to myself.

-Good night, Rüzgar.

- Goodnight Deniz.

I lay on my bed. I had a very tiring day today.

It was past eleven when I got up in the morning. I immediately got ready and looked outside. I stopped by one of the bakeries and bought cookies for Peri.

My cookie! Whispered my inner voice. What the hell was that weird conversation yesterday?!

Her mother opened the door. And we went to Peri's room. Her mother sat with us for a while, then she went downstairs.

- How are you, Peri?

- How can I be?

- I don't know what to say.

- There's nothing left to say, anyway.

- Do you want me to talk to him?

- No. I don't want him to know that I love him, anymore.

I sat on her bed and hugged her tightly.

- Don't worry about it. I think everything will be fine.

- I hope so, Deniz.

- I brought you cookies.

- Chocolate ones?!

- Yes!

Three hours later

-I'll go now.

- All right, my dear.

- Thanks, but I'm waiting for you at school.

- OK. I will come again.

- All right. Take care.

-You too.

It was past three o'clock when I went out. This meant that Derya had come home. She would work half a day today. And my father would come a little late today.

That's why I didn't want to go home, ever.

I started walking not knowing where I was going. Then I found myself in a cafe. I went to one of the tables outside. I was looking around while drinking hot chocolate. And I saw Umut. He was coming towards me.

- Hello there.

He said and sat across from me.

-Hello?

- I saw you and thought I'd ask how you are. You look very tired.

- I'm pretty fine.

- Deniz?

- Yes?

- Actually, I want to talk to you about something.

-Umut...

He cut me off.

- Please. Just listen.

- Look. Since the first time, I saw you... I like you a lot.

No. Do not do this! Don't look at me with those beautiful, hopeful eyes!

-Umut... I'm sorry.

He looked surprised.

- How so? I thought you liked me too?

- I'm so sorry.

- Why did you help me then? Why did you oppose Arslan and protect me? And why did you treat me so well? You should be honest!

- You don't have to be in love to be nice, Umut! You are being silly now!

-Anyway. That doesn't change how I feel.

- What does that mean?

- It means I'm not stopping loving you.

Maybe Arslan wasn't the only psychopath?!

I finished my chocolate. I stood up.

- I must go.

- I'll drop you home.

- No. I'll go. It's not dark, as you can see.

- I know. But I wanna be your company.

But I don't want to! This man was killing me!

I took a deep breath and let it out.

We left the cafe. We started walking slowly.

- Look, I'm not going home anyway. You don't need to be friends.

- Where are you going?

There was something in his voice that bothered me. What was that? Jealousy?

I was supposed to get rid of him, but how?

- Please Umut. I want to be alone.

-But I don't want? I don't know when, but you'll love me too.

- Umut, please. That's not true, you know.

I took a deep breath. I realized that people are not what they seem. First that witch Derya, now Umut. Who was next, Arslan? I was sure he was what he seemed. No matter how good he tried to be, he couldn't do it; he was again that hard-eyed, heartless Arslan. This was pretty obvious from the way he first told me he was sorry and then walked over to me.

-Anyway. I need to go now. I'll find you later.

What happened to this kid? Arslan had escaped into it, I suppose?

I continued on my way. Where should I go? When I looked ahead, the forest caught my eye. The weather was nice and dark, yet. That meant I could do some walking.

It was beautiful. The green of the trees was partly divided by colorful flowers.

About an hour later, I came across a wooden house. Curious, I approached the window. There was no one in sight. It was dark inside. At that moment, two cars approached in front of the house. I hid immediately, next to the house. Two men got off the burgundy one. They were well dressed. Instead of the black car, the big bald man I had seen before in front of the cafe got out. Arslan came out from the back. Some scars and band-aids on his face caught my attention. He had a bag in his hand.

The oldest man among them spoke.

- What happened?

Arslan was far from where they were, but standing close to me. His back was turned towards me.

The men talked among themselves for a while. Then they called Arslan to their side. He took the bag from his big hand and handed Arslan two bills. The old man spoke.

- Good job. I didn't think you could make it. You deserved this.

- Thank you, sir.

-You can go.

- Have a good day Sir.

Three men entered the house.

Arslan put the money in his pocket. And he turned his back. His eyes widened. He came to me right away and covered my mouth with his hand and pulled me away. We proceeded towards the forest. After a while, he stopped. And looked at me angrily.

-What are you doing here?!!

He shouted so loud that I jumped up and my heart started beating so fast I thought it would burst.

- Damn Deniz!!! Why did you come here?!! You'll get in trouble! Are you aware?!

My heart was beating so fast. I couldn't even speak out of fear.

He started wandering around.

- I just...

- You're just so stupid!!!

He walked around a little more and stopped right in front of me.

-Did anyone see you?

- I...I am...

I was in shock. I couldn't speak.

His angry state that I had seen before would have remained zero on the left besides this. He kicked the tree I was leaning against.

His eyes were burning. Was it because I came here that made him so angry? I couldn't understand.

Then all of a sudden I thought of what that old man said; I didn't think you could make it, you deserved it...

What did all this mean?

I remembered what Peri said; He is said to be working for the gang...

Gang?!!