After the cool drinks were finished, the atmosphere at the table changed slightly. After Hasan's friends exchanged glances, they turned to him with a clear, shared intention. š
"Hey, broā¦ since we met after a long time, shall we have a little drink?" asked Jaden. His voice held both jest and encouragement.
Before replying immediately, Hasan looked at Anisa. That look carried an expectation of her approval. Upon seeing that look, a certain weight settled in Anisa's heart. She leaned closer to his ear and spoke softly. š
"Hasan, pleaseā¦ not today. I'm a bit scared, you knowā¦ and we still have to go back," she said gently, very calmly.
Although Hasan heard those words, his next words made it clear he hadn't taken their weight to heart. He also leaned close to her, speaking in a low voice laden with what seemed like affection. š
"Oh, darlingā¦ just one. Be my good wife," he said, hiding her helplessness under the guise of affection.
At that very moment,
"If the couple's talk is done,let us know the decision too,"
Jaden said in a voice heavy with jest. š
From then on, Hasan had no more room to think.
"Alright,broā¦ no problem. You order," he said simply.
But those words fell heavily on Anisa's heart. š
A little while later, several bottles of alcohol were brought to the table. Except for Anisa, the other five began drinking. Hasan initially said,
"Just one glass,"
but as time passed,there was no control left in those words.
Anisa tried to stop him several times. Though she placed her hand on his, gave him meaningful looks with her eyes, he paid no attention to any of it. Laughing, his voice growing louder, his words becoming unclear, Hasan was heading toward a state of intoxication. š„
Finally, when the gathering ended and everyone came out of the restaurant, the time was close to midnight. The night breeze flowing through the streetlights sent a chill through Anisa's body.
Through the bodycon dress she was wearing, that cold felt even more intense. But more than that cold, there was an unclear fear about the future within her heart.
Though Hasan stood right beside her, at that moment, Anisa felt as if she were standing alone. š„