Next Station

Chapter 4

Kaan's large-size men's sneakers sat quietly in the corner of Maral's shoe rack, evoking memories of the previous evening. She remembered how, at Sinan's party, Erfan's inappropriate behavior had put her in an uncomfortable position. His words had no place in that gathering, and she felt cornered. But at that same moment, Kaan's image appeared in her mind — how he had stepped in without hesitation and helped her. That night, Maral had felt a sense of warmth deep inside.

The shoes in the corner of the room seemed to tell a story of support and reassurance. As she looked at them, she smiled, a smile that carried a sense of calm and security, reflecting the help Kaan had offered. She realized she could no longer view Erfan the way she once did. He was just a figure from her childhood, someone present because of familial ties and childhood games. Now, Maral knew that Erfan no longer had a place in her life. What filled her heart at that moment was gratitude, an appreciation for Kaan's support.

The shoes were no longer just simple objects; they had become a symbol of the moment when Kaan stood by her without question, when she needed help the most. The shoes in Maral's mind were a reminder of the power of a small but impactful gesture.

Maral knew she had to return the shoes out of respect and thank Kaan. With these thoughts in mind, she picked up her phone and dialed Kaan's number, which she had gotten from Sinan. After a few rings, Kaan answered the phone.

"Hello, Maral," Kaan's voice came through the line.

After a brief pause, Maral replied, "Hi Kaan, I hope you're doing well. I wanted to thank you for your help last night at Sinan's party and for the shoes you gave me. I wanted to return them."

Upon hearing Maral's voice, Kaan joked, "Ah, I guess you're calling to invite me to dinner to thank me for rescuing you from Erfan, huh?"

Maral quickly responded with a smile, "Yes, you're right. If you don't mind, I wanted to invite you to dinner to thank you for everything."

Kaan paused for a moment, then said with a playful tone, "No, I can't. I'm just kidding. But whenever you're free, there's a café by the sea, one of the beautiful beaches of Istanbul. I'll see you there."

Maral, slightly surprised but smiling, replied, "Alright, that sounds good. I'll wait for you."

The café by the sea was no accident for Kaan. He always chose quiet, private places for his meetings, preferring calm over the noise of the world. For him, these places were sanctuaries, away from prying eyes. Kaan had always preferred to meet friends in secluded spots for security reasons. Little did he know this spot where he was meeting Maral would become a special place in his memory forever. It would be the place where their first meeting took place, marking a significant moment that would be etched in his mind for years to come.

The Kadıköy Beach, Café

On the beautiful Kadıköy beach, where the gentle sea breeze danced through the air and the sound of the waves gently lapped at the shore, there was a cozy café by the sea. The café, with its simple wooden décor and soft lighting, exuded an atmosphere of calm and poetry. Comfortable wooden chairs and small tables by the large windows offered guests the perfect view of the sea and the distant horizon. The soft murmurs of conversation and the soothing background music transformed the space into a welcoming and peaceful haven.

Maral, in her casual, simple outfit, appeared surprisingly beautiful amidst this atmosphere. Her simple, blush-colored dress and jeans gave her a natural and pleasant look. In her simplicity, her beauty shone in a unique way. Her eyes shined brighter than ever in the sunlight, and her gentle, captivating smile warmed the entire space. It seemed that nothing could take her away from this peaceful moment. She walked calmly towards the table and saw Kaan sitting by the window.

Kaan, as always, looked incredibly handsome and well-groomed. His black blazer and formal trousers fit him perfectly. His penetrating green eyes, which always carried a sense of mystery, were now solely focused on Maral. He smiled and followed her with his gaze, as though, at that moment, he saw her as vast as the entire sea and sky. No words were needed; they both knew this meeting was as special as the vastness of the sea in front of them.

Maral sat beside the table, her gaze fixed on the sea. The sound of the waves hitting the shore swirled in the air like a romantic melody. Kaan gently placed his hand on the table and shifted his gaze from the sea to Maral. At that moment, everything came together naturally and without words. It was as if two souls were walking together in their own world.

Maral smiled softly and said, "This place is so relaxing."

Kaan nodded gently and said, "Yes, it is."

At that moment, their gazes met, and unspoken emotions flowed more and more between them. By the sea, in this cozy café, they shared timeless moments in their own world. However, unwanted thoughts couldn't easily let this peace last forever. Kaan knew he shouldn't develop feelings for Maral; it was a firm rule in his life to keep a distance from emotional and romantic relationships. He knew it wasn't beneficial for either him or anyone else. So, he tried to control his behavior and movements, so no impression would form in Maral's mind.

Maral, being intelligent, quickly realized that Kaan had set boundaries in their relationship. She understood that Kaan was trying to keep his emotions under control and maintain a distance. Maral, too, tried to manage the atmosphere carefully and wisely, keeping it friendly and rational. Even though she could sense the inner storm in Kaan, she chose to master her emotions and not let anything disrupt this peaceful space. This unspoken interaction between them seemed to turn everything into a clever game, where both of them were trying to keep things natural without any revelations.

The song by Sezen Aksu, playing from the gramophone in the café, seemed to capture the essence of the moment between Kaan and Maral. It felt as though the singer understood their inner turmoil and was singing for them, reflecting the unspoken complexities between them.

"Sende Benim Gibi Gerçekleri Görüyorsun"

(You see the truths just like I do)

Sende benim kadar gerçekleri görüyorsun

(You see the truths just like I do)

Beraber olamayız, benim gibi biliyorsun

(We can't be together, you know, just like I do)

Bir başka dünyanın insanısın yavrucağım

(You're from another world, my dear)

Sen kendi dünyanda, ben kendi dünyamda

(You're in your own world, and I'm in mine)

Her şeyin farkındayız, hala susuyoruz

(We're aware of everything, yet we remain silent)

Her şeyin farkındayız, hala susuyoruz

(We're aware of everything, yet we remain silent)

Kaan and Maral walked together along the shoreline for a few moments, in a silence where every unspoken word seemed louder than any conversation. The gentle waves of the sea quietly lapped at the shore, and both of them knew that it was time to say goodbye. Kaan, with eyes full of inner emotions, tried his best not to let them show.

Maral looked into his green eyes. She extended her hand, as one would for a friend, and said, "Thank you for helping me more than anyone else since I arrived in Istanbul. From the story of that immigrant woman who needed money for surgery, and couldn't afford it until you helped, to helping Sinan find a job and get his life back on track. And that night at the party, when you made Erfan understand, he should leave and let me be alone."

Kaan's eyes, filled with a storm of emotions, paused for a moment. The smile that Maral gave him was full of beauty and simplicity. At that moment, Maral playfully added, "And most importantly, these shoes... these shoes." Maral had placed Kaan's shoes in a beautiful bag and brought them to return to him.

Standing in front of Kaan, Maral smiled, and it was a smile that Kaan would never forget. His heart, filled with turbulence, felt the unspoken emotions between them rising to their peak. It felt like a goodbye forever. Kaan didn't want it to be that way. Maral gently, with that special look she always had, said, "Goodbye."