There are days when Istanbul truly makes you believe you're safe, and others when the past hits you with a sharp blow to remind you that the monster you fled is still alive and is turning the world upside down to find you.
On Saturday afternoon, the bookstore was chaotic. With the cold outside, people came in seeking the warmth of the coffee, and I hadn't stopped for a second: serving tea, ringing up books, cleaning tables... My feet were killing me, and my back ached terribly, but I preferred the movement; it kept my mind occupied.
"Gia, can you turn on the small TV in the corner?" Mr. Malik asked from behind the counter. "Kerem wants to see if they're saying anything about the snowstorm coming up from the north."
"Tamam (Okay), right away," I replied, placing a tray on the counter.
I
