Next Station

Continuation of Chapter 2

Maral's Apartment – A New Beginning

Maral moved into a small apartment after leaving the student dorms. It was nothing like the cramped, shared spaces she had grown used to. The new place was hers—private, small, but full of potential. As she moved her books and belongings around, she felt the weight of independence settling in. This was the first time she was truly on her own.

She carefully unpacked her medical books, the familiar weight of them grounding her in this new chapter. She organized them neatly on a wooden shelf, her fingers grazing the spines as memories of sleepless nights and hard work flooded her mind.

In the corner of the room, an old, large box caught her eye. She hesitated for a moment before walking over to it. With a soft grunt, she opened the box, revealing a black, metallic sword. Its steel gleamed in the dim light, its edges sharp and unforgiving. Maral paused, running her hand over the cool metal. It wasn't just a sword; it was a part of her history, a reminder of the discipline she had trained in.

She picked it up slowly, examining its craft skills. Then, without hesitation, she stood tall and began to perform a few professional moves she had learned in the past. The sword sliced through the air with precision, a fluid dance of sharp angles and controlled force.

It wasn't just the sword she had mastered; it was the discipline behind it that had always fascinated her. She had first developed an interest in this martial art when she moved to Korea. The discipline, focus, and control it required to be had drawn her in, and she had trained tirelessly.

"Someday," she thought, "I need to get back into practice."

As she swung the sword through the air again, her mind began to drift. "The sword and the surgical scalpel," she mused, "both must obey me". As I aim to become one of the greatest surgeons, the precision and finesse required with a sword can help me in the operating room. "

Her hand tightened around the hilt, and she closed her eyes for a moment. "In surgery, whether it's heart surgery or handling a scalpel, it's all about mastery and focus. The sword taught me that. And I'll apply it in the operating room."

She set the sword down gently, placing it against the wall. Her gaze lingered on it for a few moments. This wasn't just a weapon. It was a symbol of her past, her discipline, and, ultimately, her future.

With a soft sigh, she turned her attention to her phone. The screen lit up with Kenan's number. She hesitated for a moment before answering.

Kenan (calmly):

"Hey, Maral. I just wanted to let you know that the patient—the woman with cancer—is doing well. She's in recovery now. The surgery went smoothly."

Maral felt a quiet relief, but didn't let her voice betray it. She stayed silent for a moment, processing the news.

Kenan (continuing):

Professor Osman is pleased with the results. The patient owes her recovery to you.

Maral remained quiet, her eyes still on the sword in the corner. She exhaled slowly, trying to keep her emotions in check.

Maral (softly):

"It was your doing. You got my friends involved."

Kenan (gently):

"I'm sorry, I just wanted to make sure you didn't get into trouble. I informed Sinan. What happened after that... I don't know."

Maral (calm but firm):

"I know who encouraged the charity to cover the costs. That's what matters to me. The rest doesn't matter."

Kenan's voice shifted slightly, his tone laced with frustration.

Kenan (with concern):

"Are you upset with me?"

Maral paused. A long moment of silence passed between them. Her thoughts scattered, but then she replied, her voice steady.

Maral (softly):

"No, I'm not upset. You've been a good friend and colleague."

SPECIAL FORCES SHOOTING RANGE

Kaan stood at the shooting range. The sound of gunshots and the precise movements and concentration of the people around him created a heavy atmosphere in the field. Several male and female operatives were training, and the attention of many of the female agents was drawn to Kaan. Their admiring looks seemed to reflect their astonishment at his power and accuracy. Kaan, without paying attention to the glances, continued his training.

Tarik stood beside him, shooting with precision. As both of them focused on their targets, a conversation started between them.

Tarik (as he adjusted his weapon):

"I heard that with the special operations team, you discovered and confiscated the hidden weapons of the mafia group before they could reach ISIS."

Kaan simply nodded in acknowledgment and fired a bullet that hit the center of the target with perfect accuracy. A few seconds of silence passed as Tarik observed Kan's precise move.

Tarik (respectfully):

"Honestly, no one can match your precision. "These weapons could be a serious threat to the country's security.

The sound of gunshots continued to echo in the field.

Janan's Newsroom

Janan's newsroom is located in the heart of Istanbul, in a new and modern building. This building, with its advanced architecture and sleek design, seamlessly integrates with the surrounding urban environment. The tall glass walls offer an unparalleled view of the city, with natural light flooding into the space, creating a bright and pleasant atmosphere.

Inside the office, an open and energetic space is maintained. Workstations are neatly arranged, with employees meticulously reviewing news and writing reports. The walls are decorated with news photos from various events and images of journalism awards, clearly representing Janan and her team's professional achievements. In one corner of the room, there is a large table for meetings and consultations, where Janan often engages in deep and strategic discussions with reporters and colleagues.

In this fast-paced environment, Janan continues to pursue the discovery of truths and new narratives about the world. Her office is not only a place for producing news but also a hub of inspiration for ideas and innovations aimed at presenting a clear image of the world around them.

Janan's Newsroom – Conference Room

In the conference room of Janan's newsroom, a team of reporters and analysts are gathered with focus and determination. Every face is serious, and each team member is reviewing their journalistic reports. The atmosphere in the room is filled with stress and concern as the topic under discussion today is of significant sensitivity and importance.

Janan sits at the end of the conference table, carefully examining the papers and reports in front of her. All eyes are on her, as she consistently brings strength and confidence to such meetings. Today, they are dealing with a new challenge, one that has dominated the headlines of Turkey's newspapers: chain suicides.

With a calm and assured voice, Janan begins to speak:

Janan: "As you all know, these days we are witnessing a disturbing trend across the country. A series of suicides, particularly among teenage girls, have been occurring. None of these cases seem to be accidental. The evidence that the police have gathered from their investigations suggests that there is someone behind these incidents. Someone who is intentionally encouraging these teenagers to commit suicide through social media."

She briefly stands up from behind the desk and looks out the window. She reflects again on the collection of documents and her ongoing investigations. She feels the weight of pressure upon her shoulders. But, as always, when faced with challenges in her life, she is determined to move forward with precision and responsibility.

Janan: "Most of the reports we've obtained show that these suicides have been deliberately orchestrated, and there are individuals or one individual behind this. However, the police have not been able to uncover the truth over the past few months. I doubt that we can easily uncover this truth, but we must start. First, we need to approach the families of these teenagers. "We need to talk to them directly and try to understand what could have led these girls to make such decisions in their homes and lives."

She pauses for a moment before continuing:

Janan: "Our most important goal is to raise awareness among families and provide them with the necessary warnings to protect their children. This issue needs to become a social mission."

Zeynep, Janan's close friend who is sitting among the reporters, looks at her with concern and then curiously says:

Zeynep: "But Janan, the police have explicitly asked the media not to report on this issue. "Don't you think that if we get involved in this, we might get into trouble?"

Janan, with determination and seriousness in her demeanor, responds more firmly:

Janan: "We are doing our duty by informing the public. Perhaps we can prevent the death of another teenager. If we stay silent, someone else might fall into this trap. While there is a risk, our job is to speak the truth."

Janan's Newsroom

Now that everyone had left the conference room, only Zeynep and Janan remained. A calming silence filled the space. The only sound was the quiet tapping of keys as Janan typed on her keyboard. Zeynab, still concerned about Janan's well-being, paused for a moment and then spoke with worry in her voice:

Zeynep (in a gentle tone):

"You're really burying yourself at work, you seem so tired and frazzled."

Janan slowly stood up from behind her desk and took a deep breath. She looked away from the screen and met Zeynab's gaze.

Janan (softly):

"Yeah, you're right. Well, this is my job, and unfortunately, I get too caught up in it. I can't help myself."

Zeynep, who knew Janan well and understood her deep attachment to her work, tried to change the atmosphere. She smiled mischievously and said:

Zeynep:

"Let's put the topic of the chain suicides aside and think about tonight's dinner at Sinan's father's house with Maral. What's your plan?"

Janan suddenly brightened, her eyes sparkling. She stood up, excited, and replied:

Janan:

"Yeah, you're right! Let's think about tonight—what to wear, what to do! Like we used to when we were younger, like today's teens and young adults!"

Zeynep grinned playfully and continued:

Zeynep:

"Ah, see? "That sounds better already!" She paused for a moment, then added with a mischievous look:

Especially from tonight, everyone will be there. Sinan's father wants to thank everyone who helped him find a job, those who made a fresh start possible for him. "

Janan replied with joy:

Janan:

"That's wonderful! I'm especially happy because I'll see the king of my heart tonight!"

Suddenly, Janan grew slightly anxious and looked at Zeynab.

Janan (with concern):

"Are you sure Kaan is coming? What if he doesn't?"

Zeynep, always trying to soothe Janan, smiled and said:

Zeynep:

"About your king, I can't say for sure, but let's hope he comes." And with a wink, she added:

"I told Tarik to make sure he was convinced."

Janan, now more focused on the upcoming party, continued to daydream about the evening:

Janan (thinking to herself):

"Maybe tonight will be different. Maybe Kaan will say something new and exciting to me. How much I need to feel noticed by him."

Her emotions were mixed at that moment; on one hand, excitement and hope for the evening ahead filled her heart, but on the other hand, a quiet worry lingered—that this night, like many others, might pass without anything significant happening.

Kaan's Construction Company Office – Kaan's Office

Tarik and Kaan were sitting in Kaan's office, reviewing plans for a new road. Tarik stared at the plans for a few minutes, then set them aside and said with a teasing tone:

Tarik:

"Put that map aside. You absolutely have to come tonight; this night is the perfect chance for a change of pace!"

Tarik continued:

"You're someone who also needs a break. From your company to tough security missions, from security matters to accident scenes, from construction roads to shooting range practice, and the pressure... This amount of work would wear anyone out. You need to come to the party tonight."

Kaan, looking serious, responded:

"I'm swamped. I have a lot of work to do. You go, and apologize to me."

Tarik, with a somewhat demanding and playful tone, said:

"No, no, no! Don't even bring it up! You have to come. A father who is happy about his son's success wants to thank you for helping his son find a job. "Don't you think it would be rude not to come?"

Kaan narrowed his eyes and gave Tarik a look, as if saying, "You can't fool me." Then, plainly, he said:

"Do you think I don't know why you want to go to this party? You want to get more out of the situation with Dr. maral."

Tarik replied:

"For whatever reason I want to go to this party, you have to come too."

Kaan quietly responded:

"But I don't like the type of people in that family. They're strange."

He said this, but something else was running through his mind. He thought to himself: "Why do I feel like this? Why can't I say for sure that I'm not going? Normally, I would avoid going to these kinds of parties for various reasons, but this time, I'm conflicted. Deep down, I want to go."

Tarik, noticing Kaan's hesitation, curiously asked:

"So, what's it going to be? Are you coming?"

Kaan gave him a smile in return.

Hospital

Maral was in the hospital locker room, getting changed and preparing to leave. Today was supposed to be different. With excitement and haste, she took off her medical scrubs and put on her regular clothes. She glanced at herself in the mirror for a moment, reflecting on various thoughts, but today, she had to head to her sword-fighting practice. She had found a place in Istanbul for continued training. It was a club dedicated to this martial art, owned by Chinese people.

As she was finishing up, Kenan walked into the room and smiled. "Are you in a hurry? Are you heading out?"

Maral, still gathering her things, turned toward him and responded enthusiastically, "Yes, today I'm going to sword-fighting practice. I found a great place in Istanbul, specifically for this martial art, and it's run by Chinese people. I'm really excited to continue there."

Kenan grinned and, glancing at his watch, said, "We were planning to grab dinner with the guys. I wanted to see if you'd like to join us."

Maral paused for a moment, then replied, "Sorry, I have to go to my father's house because he arranged a dinner for Sinan starting his new job. They're celebrating."

Kenan, aware of Maral's family situation, looked down for a moment and said, "Why 'have to'? Just don't go."

Maral bent down to grab her bag, glanced at Kenan, and said, "No, I can't. It's about Sinan. I promised him I would go to this dinner, so I'm going."

Kenan remained silent for a moment, watching her. Maral, with a smile that seemed more like a commitment, walked toward the door. Just as she was about to open it, she turned around for one last look at Kenan, offering a quick "Good luck" as she left.

Kenan stood still, his hands in his pockets, watching Maral leave. Something in his chest stirred as he gazed after her, a feeling he couldn't easily shake.

Maral's Family Home – The Dinner Party

The house Maral had grown up in was a beautiful blend of modern and classical architecture, standing tall and proud even though time had taken its toll. Built many years ago, it was once among the finest and most elegant homes in Istanbul, radiating the charm and affluence of a bygone era. The walls, while weathered and worn, still held whispers of past grandeur. It had been a lively place, filled with the sounds of laughter, busy footsteps, and the smell of good food. Yet, now, it felt more like a relic of what it once was, a stark reminder of the financial ruin that had befallen her family. The house, though still standing strong, seemed to carry the weight of its past—a place of both pride and sorrow.

Maral sat at her father's dinner party, but her mind was elsewhere. She glanced around, thinking about her relationships with her family, especially with her parents. She was angry with her family, particularly with the poor decisions her parents had made that had caused problems for Sinan. However, she had come to this party for Sinan, determined to momentarily put aside the tension for his sake.

Her father, Serhat, sat at the end of the table, his eyes soft and distant. He seemed older than Maral remembered, the weight of years and unspoken regrets etched on his face. But today, in his voice and tone, there was a hint of pride, as if something had changed in the atmosphere of the house, as if something was different that night.

Although her heart was heavy, Maral's gaze drifted towards her brother, Sinan. His look was different from usual, as if, for the first time, there was a spark of hope and joy in his eyes. This gave Maral a sense of relief. The guests had arrived: Kaan, Janan, Tarik, and Zeynep. Maral's sister and her husband were also around the dinner table.

Her father, Serhat, spoke softly, "I'm glad Sinan has found a job. "I hope he continues to progress. "I wanted to thank all of you. "I thought I should arrange this dinner to show my gratitude and to get to know you all better."

Before dinner was served, the doorbell rang. Maral's mother, Nermin, who seemed to be expecting someone, stood up and walked out of the living room to greet another guest. When Nermin and the new guest entered the living room, Maral was shocked. Even Sinan and her father were surprised. The person who entered was Erfan.

Erfan, Maral's childhood friend and playmate, was now a handsome young man. He apologized for being late, saying, "Sorry, traffic in Istanbul, you know how it is."

Maral's mother, Nermin, warmly and trying to maintain control of the situation, introduced him: "This is my cousin, Erfan, one of the most successful civil engineers and construction specialists in Turkey."

After the introduction, Nermin made sure to seat Erfan directly across from Maral. Maral tried to keep herself composed and not show her anger, but inside, she was unsettled. She couldn't digest this sudden change at the party and felt uncomfortable with Erfan's gaze fixed on her. It was clear that Nermin had invited Erfan without consulting the rest of the family, and this unexpected move complicated things for Maral.

Neither her father nor Sinan knew about the invitation, and her father wondered why Nermin, as the mother of the family, always made the wrong decisions. He had been trying to mend his relationship with Maral, but now Nermin's invitation of the persistent suitor Maral didn't want to see had made the situation worse. Maral was angry with her mother about this move, feeling that it would only push her further away from her family. Kaan and the other guests noticed the tension but chose to remain silent.

At that moment, Zeynep tried to break the heavy atmosphere at the party and change the mood. With a soft smile, she turned to Maral and said:

"By the way, Dr., you didn't tell us what happened to that woman with cancer, the Iraqi woman. How is she now? Is she better?"

Maral, whose mind was in turmoil, composed herself. She didn't want to lose face among all these strangers. With calmness, she responded: "Yes, she's better and has returned to her country. I also wanted to thank you for helping save a life so quickly and quickly."

Janan, who was still carefully observing the situation, added: "I think we should thank Kaan most of all."

Maral glanced at Kaan. His gaze reflected confusion and the chaos within him. Kaan, too, noticed Maral's gaze. This silent exchange stirred something deep inside him. He found himself involved in Maral's situation. It was as if his chest tightened, and he couldn't shake off the feeling.

Maral looked into Kaan's green eyes and said: "Yes, I'm very grateful to you for helping me and that sick Iraqi woman."

Maral's mother, Nermin, who was trying to regain control of the situation, turned to Erfan and began explaining the case of the illegal immigrant woman that she had heard from Sinan: "It's about an illegal immigrant woman with stomach cancer who needed immediate surgery. Maral tried to help her illegally and perform the surgery herself, but her friends helped her to avoid getting into trouble and saved that woman's life. What rare friends! "I really don't understand what kind of audacity my daughter has."

Kaan noticed the heavy gaze Erfan was directing at Maral. These looks bothered him. He didn't know why, but he couldn't shake the feeling. Why didn't he like this young man? Why was everything so complicated and unclear to him?

Maral, like a volcano ready to erupt, was furious with her mother, and as her gaze fell on Sinan, she saw the plea in his eyes. She knew she had to remain silent for Sinan's sake and maintain her composure. For Sinan, his friends mattered. Zeynab mattered, and she didn't want her family to argue in front of them. She chose silence. Sinan had become important to her, and what others thought no longer mattered as much as the sense of pride and honor she felt for her brother.

Kaan left his food half-eaten and stood up from the table. As he stood, the rest of his friends followed suit, rising one by one, and slowly the gathering shifted direction. As Kaan moved away from the group, the surrounding atmosphere changed noticeably. Something was stirring inside him, but he couldn't understand where these emotions were coming from.

At the party, while the guests were scattered and engaged in various conversations, Kaan's attention was drawn to the family photos on the wall of the living room. He was quietly observing them when Sinan and Janan stood beside him, with Sinan explaining the photos to them. Among the pictures, one in particular caught Kaan's eye and triggered his detective instincts.

It was a large photograph showing Maral holding a real black, metallic sword, performing an intense sword-fighting move. Sinan explained that Maral had been practicing sword fighting for years, starting when she was in Korea, and that it was one of her passions. This image sharply activated Kaan's investigative instincts, and instead of feeling sympathy for Maral, a new sensation emerged. He started to think about how strange this family was and, more importantly, how strange Maral herself seemed.

Even amidst the mingling conversations, Kaan noticed that Maral's older sister and her husband appeared to be opportunistic and profit-driven individuals. Their probing questions about Kaan's profession, income, and investments made it seem like they were trying to gather information about him. For Kaan, who had always been like a closed book, these types of questions felt invasive, and he didn't want any personal information getting out. These questions bothered him deeply, making him feel uneasy and angry.

But still, when he saw that Erfan was getting closer to Maral in every way to talk to her and establish a connection, it felt like a hand was squeezing his heart. He wasn't happy to hear that Maral and Erfan were talking. He overheard Erfan say to Maral, "I'm glad you're back home," and saw Maral nodding and giving a small smile. Kaan thought to himself, "Does Erfan really not understand that his presence is making Maral uncomfortable?"

The party that was supposed to be filled with joyful moments and pleasant events ended in a way that no one had anticipated. Life, much like the night, rarely unfolds the way we plan it; expectations often collide with reality, and in the end, it's the unpredictability that defines our journey.

Kaan's Construction Company Office – Kaan's Office

A month had passed since the night of the dinner at Maral's father's house. In Kaan's office, he and Tarik were reviewing documents and new plans for the company. The meeting had ended, and two people had left the room. When Tarik was about to leave his chair, Kaan gestured to him not to go.

With a serious look, Kaan said, "I have a mission for you, and it needs to be done discreetly. I want you to investigate Maral."

Tarik, a bit surprised, asked with a questioning look, "Are you sure?"

Kaan replied, "Keep an eye on her. Contact both the police and security in Turkey and Korea for information about her."

Tarik seemed reluctant to accept and responded cautiously, "Is it really necessary?"

Kaan answered calmly, "Don't get emotional. Why would a fifth-year medical student suddenly leave a prestigious university in Seoul and return to Turkey? The girl with a high IQ. Do you remember that night during the intelligence competition? She could easily answer the toughest questions. Girls like her are great for espionage and security operations. ... She even tried to help an illegal Iraqi immigrant... I've followed her a few times. Do you know where she rushed off to after leaving the hospital?"

Tarik asked with surprise, "Where?"

Kaan continued, "She goes to a special place for Chinese people. She practices sword fighting there. And she's very skilled."

Tarik, still processing this information, replied, "So what? What's wrong with that?"

Kaan, now with a more serious tone, said, "I have a feeling about this girl. I suspect something. You don't believe me?"

Tarik, unsure of what to say, remained silent. Seeing this silence as an opportunity, Kaan added, "You don't believe me? Let's go, you'll see with your own eyes."

Kaan and Tarik got into the car and headed toward Maral's training location. They quietly parked nearby, out of sight of Maral, and began observing her training from a distance.

Maral gets out of the taxi and quickly enters the building and the martial arts club. Tarik is lost in thought, considering Maral as an innocent, serious, and hardworking girl. However, he can't understand why Kaan has become suspicious of her. This isn't the first time Kaan has been suspicious of someone, and his hunches about people are usually right. Tarik silently hopes that Kaan's feelings about Maral are wrong. What's even stranger is that Kaan himself wished he was wrong this time.

Maral entered the training hall dressed in her fencing gear. Her long, dark hair was tied in a ponytail. Dressed in a white tunic with wide sleeves and black pants in the style of samurai and Japanese warriors, she looked ready to immerse herself completely in her world. At that moment, Tarik realized that Maral had another side to her. Not only was she skilled and sharp at fencing, but her martial arts movements also revealed that she was a woman who, beyond her appearance, was different, attractive, and layered with complexity.

Unbeknownst to Maral, Kaan and Tarik, observing her from a distance, were watching through cameras installed in the training hall. The footage was connected to a special monitoring system in the car, which Kaan had set up with security tricks to secretly watch her.