Asin
I had to do it.
She will understand and... I bet she'll even learn to love it.
At dinner, my silence was noticed, but to be fair, she was in a strange mood as well.
Ayshe saw me looking and mouthed UPSET STOMACH.
That explains why she kept her hand on her stomach.
I leaned over and placed my hand on hers. "Drink some... lemony water. For this..."
She furrowed her eyebrows but nodded anyway.
Even something small as this made my guilt lessen.
Stop torturing yourself over this.
But Oliver still looked worried. It made me more nervous the more I caught his eyes filled with concern.
"Son... Are you playing with your food? Do you want something else?"
I looked at my mother. Maybe she loves me enough to take the blame...
No... that's crazy. Or is it, though?
"My... we ate with..." I looked up—Oliver, getting seconds. "...I ate alone. At the cafeteria today."
I pushed the plate away.
"Oh... you heard about the project?"
She was searching for Dede, but he shook his head. I gave my silent thanks to him. I had asked him to keep it a secret.
After dinner, Oliver said his goodbye and ran from the look Ayshe had been giving him all night.
This time, I had a plan to keep her busy and away from us.
"...A ticket?"
"A one-woman show, called Single Doctor! It's supposed to be empowerin'..." I tapped her shoulder.
She looked up with narrowed eyes.
"...One ticket?" She asked again.
Does she not own a dictionary?
"No offense to folks there... but I doubt this show is made for women... in couples' relationships."
Ayshe's eyes filled with ancient rage women had since the first fool trying to poke them millions of years ago.
"You want some alone time with my sister. You can just ask, you know?"
"Yet... I did this."
I had hoped she understood my underlying meaning.
She kicked me in the shin after getting up and stomping away.
Ayshe did get my meaning.
~
I asked the maid for some champagne and strawberries as well. Found my wife sitting on the couch.
Deep in thought. I can use that.
"Marie... I want to talk to you about something important... are you okay?"
She was so lost in her thoughts that I had to shake her a little.
"I'm here... I'm okay. You wanted to talk?"
Maybe this is a bad time?
No... just get it over with.
"We have a bit of a situation... Dede made me an offer today."
She looked horrified for some reason.
"...It's about a new life..."
"I need to go to the bathroom!"
She jumped up, hitting my chin with her shoulder, and ran away.
This is so bad... she's already this nervous about something, and once I ask her... she will most likely end my life.
I rubbed my chin and needed to lay down.
Oliver was right, but who writes last wills and testaments at 18?
---
Marie
I'm going crazy.
Damn my mother and her insidious mind.
Asin was suspicious all day. Talked to his grandfather, played with my stomach, and I know the whole lemon water thing was some sort of health test.
His grandfather told him to either get on with it... or get rid of me.
It's either a new life for the both of us... or no life.
It's not like I was against the idea... over time. We were so very young... already married. Does he love me? I...
"Marie? You... looked sickly. Is your stomach alright?"
He can't stop talking about my stomach!
"One minute..."
I need to tell him what I really think. Tell him we shouldn't plan these things... just let it happen, like the rest of our relationship.
I found him in bed!
What are you doing to me, my young husband?
Somehow, that thought made me burn up. I made my way to the bed and sat down next to him.
"Marie... I want you..."
"Please wait..." I covered his mouth. "Asin, listen. I think... we shouldn't have kids just to make our parents happy!"
He acted confused since it had gone that way.
"I beg of you please don't think nonsense... we should relax and let it happen naturally."
I took my hand away and replaced it with my lips. I wanted to convey all the feelings I had for him... without actually having the courage to say it out loud.
After I let him go, I was happy to see him grinning... but it quickly changed into a sad expression.
He pulled away and sat with his back turned.
"...I'm not going to lie. It hurts, Marie."
Was he actually crying?
"Asin..."
He put his hand up and let out all he felt.
"I figured... a baby will somehow chain you to my family... and me. But I was wrong to push..."
I felt bad... he wanted the baby not to make them happy but to make sure I never leave him?
"But maybe..." He turned around, wiping away his tears. "...maybe we can do it... in different ways. What do you think?"
"I promised to stay by your side... whatever it is, I'm sure it'll only help us get closer. Tell it."
---
Ayshe
I was in a bad place mentally.
Asin's single ticket was still in eyesight, so I decided to burn it.
Although... maybe I should go, get used to it. Buy cats or birds...
Oliver was... fine.
He smiled and acted as he always did. Did seem preoccupied with something. Obviously... he was probably swimming in work and solving problems.
I was afraid Marie and I would be left in the dark after we came back from Mardin... and it happened immediately.
Me... I understand. But my sister as well? That annoyed me.
Asin's grin from earlier floated in my mind... pfft Single Doctor my ass... I'm not some lonely career-minded cat lady... yet he did give it to me.
I was horrified by the thought of Oliver laughing when he saw it... maybe thought it was perfect for someone like me.
Ayshe, get it together!
Since when does your entire personality revolve around a guy and what he thinks?
And yet...
The life they lived was infinitely more interesting than I thought originally. Full of danger and action...
If only that night, I didn't let my worries slip me up like that. We were so close...
I decided to go for a walk when I got my sister's text.
Come up.
I thought Asin made plans for them... he just wanted to poke fun at me with that silly show?
His antics will one day get his ass kicked by me.
As I thought, I found her alone... and dancing to the song they made with Oliver.
"What's happening? Drunk again?"
She took me by the hands, and we were spinning. It was great fun, and we even managed to land safely on their giant bed.
"We should celebrate tonight. I not only saved my marriage with the man of my dreams... but also got a new job."
I shot up. "What job!?"
"Sister, you're looking at the new head of Elgemen-Martell cosmetics. Starting next week!"
She was so over the top, happy, I had to push her down to keep her still.
"Explain..."
"...So we agreed to wait with the baby question and just enjoy our time, then he offered me a steady flow of my own money and some experience."
"...So music is truly behind you?" I asked.
"I can still be a musician, a successful business woman, the perfect wife, and a mother all at the same time."
"How would that possibly work!?"
"I mean... we are rich." She shrugged.
Hmm. Asin's influence on her was seen more by the day.
"Still, sis... what do you know about business or marketing... or running a company?"
"I'll just hire an assistant... and Asin said it's basically just being there and signing things. I mean, read them first..." She added.
"Asin?" I asked.
She wiped her smile away, sitting down.
"He said he needed some time... to let our new ideas take root. He said he would be somewhere in the desert tonight..."
She looked touched, for some reason.
"What desert?" I asked.
"For feelings, Ayshe, a desert for feelings... he didn't mean an actual trip to the sands." She smiled, patting my head.
Whatever... they were the strangest of couples.
I had my concerns about her new job... she was so excited, and I was thinking about taking a year off...
"Marie... listen..."
---
Oliver
How does he come up with these? Is it luck? More than that?
I didn't expect his call, let alone him showing up driving his V12 alone.
We were heading for the desert.
"...What happens if she finds out?"
He shrugged. "I'm just glad I pulled it off. Her misunderstanding helped a lot. She is CEO now..."
Unbelievable.
I thought he would have to spend a few nights on the couch... or in the garden.
He did convince his grandfather about his supposed greater ambition than a small sector of what he called... "woman's stuff."
"Why was she so worried?" I asked.
"No idea... she just confessed, she thinks it's fast for us to have a baby... and we should do it for us... not our parents. She actually had some pretty good points."
He switched to HTY for the sand, and I let a drone up to see the place ahead.
We were off the highway and soon into the open desert.
Boy, I missed these rides.
The open, unending terrain of ancient times. I checked the view of the drone, and the headlights were like two tiny flashlights in the endless darkness.
"Put some tune in."
I smiled and clicked my playlist.
"To the Hand?" I checked ahead.
"Absolutely. I packed the toys and we got the food."
"What does Marie think you're doing?"
"...Soul searching?" He shrugged.
The things he gets away with.
Still... I appreciated that he stayed close, so I couldn't spend time torturing myself with Ayshe.
Most people get a few beers. We have done things a little differently.
---
Marie
Around 1 a.m., I got a text message from Asin.
He was close.
I hoped he had time to think and came back with the same positive attitude he left.
Twelve minutes after his text, the door popped open, and he walked inside... and smiled.
My relief was instant and I quickly got up, walking into his arms.
"Are you okay?" I asked his chest.
"...I will be. As long as you're happy."
I helped him out of his clothes.
"Is... is that sand? Were you in an actual desert?"
"Must be from the beach... walked around before I came up. How was the talk with your sister?" He asked.
That's just it... should I tell him I hired my sister before I saw the inside of the company?
"It went fine... she was supportive."
Maybe a little too early. I understood her worries, but taking a year off like that for me? I hope she had other reasons as well... like Oliver.
We got under the cover, and I spooned him.
"I think this you getting a job thing will bring out the best not just from you, but me."
"How so?" I rested my head on top of his.
"I worry less... I know where to find you. Plus, it helps you gain important life experiences."
He was so thoughtful... surely he won't mind my nepotism.
"My love? You know I was thinking about looking for an assistant like you guys have Leyla..."
"I think it's great..."
I climbed over to see his face... but all I saw was my husband halfway into a comatose sleep.
"...Darling? I was thinking we should join a cooking class? Thoughts?"
"Yeah, absolutely we should..."
I pressed my lips together, not letting a sound escape. He was out of it.
What had he done that made him so tired?
Oh, my one and only... like you did for me, I will make your sleep comfortably.
So I kept my mouth shut, and we fell asleep as we were.
~
The next morning, I let him sleep and went straight for my sister.
"...Do you think I can get away with this?"
She was twirling around in a super mini skirt.
"No one can... burn it." I closed the door behind me.
The TV was on. The news was reporting on vandalism.
"...the iconic structure named the Hand was once again vandalized by graffiti artists. Some phrases and pictures were too graphic to show the public..."
I turned it off.
"Disgraceful... who would draw penises on a rock like that?" I asked.
"I know... our generation doesn't care for historical artifacts and non-monetary value..."
"Ayshe, I don't care, really. I will tell Asin about your decision but wanted to ask for the last time, are you sure about this?"
She wasn't rash. Never was, but all the same, I needed her not to blame me if she fell hopelessly behind.
"Please, if you can be a mother, businesswoman, and musician? I can do two more and get a hobby."
I ignored the thinly veiled insults and closed the topic in my head. She is her own woman, plus she is a bit of a brat since the Oliver thing.
"Very well... but you need to let our parents know. I hope dad won't be disappointed." I tried to tease her.
"Come now... he has been so preoccupied with following successful business advice that Mother rarely sees him anymore. I have a feeling he'll be fine."
Yes, Mother, after putting the devil inside my ear with that talk, did mention my father's renewed interest in investments.
I just hope he doesn't listen to bad advice.
Grandfather, however, was living his best days working for a large company. He actually felt uncomfortable in normal clothes again.
All this time, Asin's family has been nothing but supportive. The amount of money they must have spent was sickening to think about.
"Where did Asin go last night?" Ayshe asked.
"Didn't tell... he mentioned the beach, he was dirty. But he also just dropped in the bed and fell asleep immediately... I wondered..."
"What tired him?" Ayshe took my hand, settling for a more appropriate outfit. "Yeah, there is always one too many questions with your husband. We are late for breakfast."
"How are you feeling? I mean with... you know."
She was acting fine, but... Oliver also seemed normal yesterday. I was lost as what to do and decided to leave their romance to Asin.
I'm about to start working.
Ayshe clutched my hand with a small smile.
"I'm better... he is better... clearly. But yes! It's time for adventures of our own."
I wasn't sure what kind of adventure she expected in the daily lives of cosmetics, but I took the win and kept it to myself.
At the table, only my mother-in-law and sister Zerile were present.
I saw the line of maids behind them.
First, I found it uncomfortable and a little weird when they tried to do everything for you during meals, but I got used to their presence now.
"Morning darlings."
"Marie, Ayshe... Good morning."
We greeted them and took our seats.
"My son just texted me. You accepted his offer. I did mention to his father that cosmetics are not manly enough, but it fixed itself."
I nodded furiously with what I heard. Asin and cosmetics just didn't match. I'm obviously the better choice.
"I remember my first company. You will hate it at first... busy busy... but it's very rewarding at the end of the day."
"What was the business, and what happened to it, sister Zerile?" I asked.
"Oh... it's a handbag thing. manufactured and sales. There is a lot involved running a company. I slowly learned. Ended up giving it over to others... so Yary and I can start concentrating on starting a family."
I almost choked on my orange juice. Last night came back all too real.
"You okay, sis?"
I took the napkin the maid offered and nodded to Ayshe.
"Anyway... that sounds amazing. Starting a family should take priority. Don't you agree, Marie?"
I cursed the day when I allowed my sister to live here. Plus, she knows how much I despise when people end their sentences with... don't you agree?... tasteless.
"Ohh, stop teasing my new daughter." Mother Seline came to my rescue. "A young woman should venture out on her own. Our family circumstances allow us to experiment a little before family."
I was immensely grateful for those words that coincidentally mirrored my own thoughts.
"Asin and I are both on the same page about our future. Thankfully... he is supportive of everything I do."
I made sure to look directly at my lonely, husbandless sister, while saying it.
She went back to eat like the angry squirrel she was.
"I can't tell you what a relief seeing you two so happy." Mother Seline touched my hand. "It's a great comfort seeing you so committed to my boy. I've been extremely lucky on that front."
She reached over and took sister Zerile's hand as well.
"I wish your happiness only grow with time."
As someone who didn't have any daughters, she was the ideal mother for one.
I got a little emotional seeing her happy tears.
If she only knew how committed I truly was.
I was in love with her son.
Now, all that's left is finding the right time to say it to him as well and hope he feels the same.
Although I had a pretty good feeling about it.