CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

The next day I wake up early, pray, eat breakfast, and get ready for a day full of meetings. I get dressed for the meeting in a black jumpsuit with a collarless coat, black heels, a black clutch, a black hajib, and my black sunglasses. Everything I am wearing is black, today. As I go to meet Ismail, I try not to think about my feelings for him. As my Mum said, I will know with time if he likes me the same way. I will act like nothing has changed between us. But now I realize the depth of my feelings for him, I will never see Ismail as just my ‘brother-in-law’ again.

“Aha! Umit, did someone die?” Ismail chuckles as I walk toward him.

“Is the black too much?” I ask, wondering if instead of looking professional I look like I am going to a funeral.

“A bit, but you look beautiful as always.”

“Thank you,” I say trying to hide my smile. Maybe everyone is right, and Ismail does really like me, but I won’t know for sure yet.

“You are welcome,” he says leading me out.