Next Station

Chapter 3

Emergency Room – Hospital

The emergency room of the hospital was bustling with activity. The constant ringing of phones and the rapid adjustments of oxygen tanks filled the air. Doctors and nurses moved swiftly and efficiently, each attending to their critical tasks. An ambulance, sirens blaring, pulled into the hospital grounds. At that moment, the ambulance door swung open, and a teenage girl, semi-conscious, was lying on a stretcher.

The paramedic quickly helped the girl, who had overdosed on pills, out of the ambulance and handed her over to the emergency room doctor, providing a report:

"Suicide attempt by overdose." The girl was rushed into the ER.

Dr. Sardar, the emergency physician, issued immediate orders for fluids and medication to be administered, aiming to stabilize her condition.

Dr. Sardar (calling out loudly to Maral, who was attending to another patient):

"Maral! Get over here. We need to start working on this immediately."

Maral quickly rushed to the patient's bed and carefully assessed the teenage girl's condition. Her face was pale, and her breathing came in labored gasps. The paramedic was still standing by her side, his hands trembling. He knew time was of the essence. Without hesitation, Maral followed the doctor's orders. In coordination with the nurses, she swiftly administered the necessary fluids and medications to the teenage girl. A few minutes later, the patient's condition began to improve.

The emergency doctor, Dr. Sardar, looked at Maral thoughtfully and said,

" You did a good job. " I hope this girl won't need any more help.

Maral, still focused on the girl, replied,

"I just hope she survives." After a few more minutes, the teenage girl regained consciousness and began to breathe normally. Dr. Sardar, relieved by the progress, looked at Maral and smiled.

Dr. Sardar:

"We need to keep an eye on her. This girl still requires a lot of care."

Maral nodded, smiling back at him.

"Definitely. We need to check on her every moment."

Kenan stood in a corner of the emergency room, observing Maral closely. His gaze was filled with admiration and respect. Maral's skills at treating patients without pause continuously amazed him. To Kenan, Maral was an exceptional doctor, someone whose name would one day shine among the best in Turkey. But there was something Kenan couldn't figure out—how to express his feelings for her. How could he show the affection he felt inside, and more importantly, what kind of response would he receive from Maral?

Kenan was afraid of expressing his emotions to Maral. He knew she had a strong and independent personality, and that kind of personality always reacted coldly to emotions and displays of affection. This trait of hers confused and unsettled Kenan, because the more he tried to get closer to her, the more he realized that for Maral, these things seemed simpler than they had become complicated for him.

Kenan found himself wondering: Would Maral ever notice his feelings? Would she allow him to express himself? Or would she always stand like a tall wall against him? While his mind grappled with these questions, Maral continued to attend to her patient, completely unaware of Kenan's gaze.

Maral was immersed in her world. She didn't even notice Kenan's looks. For her, the most important thing was saving lives and helping others. That was the core purpose that had drawn her to the medical profession, and nothing could distract her from this path.

Kenan, watching Maral from a distance, thought that maybe he would have to work harder to get closer to her. But the fear of rejection and silence loomed over his mind like a heavy shadow.

The Rooftop of the Hospital

On the hospital's rooftop, Maral stood, a place she often came to for a breath of fresh air and a moment of peace. The height of the building and the vast view of the city beneath her feet gave her a sense of comfort; perhaps a sense of power, or perhaps a reminder that life went on, especially when she saw the hustle and bustle of people in the streets. This was her space, where she could escape from the mental and emotional pressures and feel her mind free from the worries and concerns of daily life. She gazed at the city, at the life that continued on, and it brought her peace.

At that moment, nothing could ease her like this space and silence. Sometimes, when she felt the world was rapidly progressing, and she had to stand against it, being here reminded her that life always moves forward, and moments must pass, whether good or bad.

Kenan, who had been observing her from afar, approached with two large cups of coffee. He silently joined her, standing next to her without exchanging many words. He handed one of the coffees to Maral, who took it wordlessly. Together, they watched the unfolding life of the city, with all its challenges and complexities. These moments, though brief, seemed to offer both of them a chance to rebuild and breathe in a world full of noise and everyday pressure.

Maral's moment of silence and pleasure didn't last long, as her brother Sinan called her. The sound of the phone broke the stillness. Sinan, with his distinct tone that always signaled he wanted something when he called, spoke:

"The company I recently joined for work is hosting a celebration of its success and profitability. They've invited all the employees and their families, and I wanted to proudly ask you, as a member of our family, to come to this celebration and party."



The Night of Sinan's Corporate Celebration

That night, the celebration and company party for the construction materials and engineering firm that Sinan works for took place.

The company, which Sinan recently joined, is one of the largest in Turkey, specializing in the supply and distribution of construction materials, road construction materials, and civil engineering equipment and machinery. It plays a significant role in providing raw materials such as concrete, steel, cement, asphalt, gravel, sand, and specialized materials for road and infrastructure construction. Additionally, the company acts as an intermediary between suppliers and contractors in commercial and residential construction projects, participating in numerous projects across the country.

At the party, executives from construction, engineering, and urban planning companies were present, offering an opportunity for professionals and experts in the industry to come together. Kaan, who was friends with the company's director, Ferhat Demir, was also invited to the celebration. Furthermore, Erfan attended the event on behalf of his own construction company.

Everyone had gathered in the company's celebration and party hall. Kaan was standing next to his friend, Ferhat Demir, engaged in conversation. Erfan, in another corner of the hall, was talking with a few others. Sinan, who had distanced himself a little from the hustle and bustle of the event, was talking to Erfan when suddenly his attention was drawn to the entrance door.

At the threshold of the door, Maral entered. She was wearing a beautiful dress—an alluring black gown that fit her figure perfectly. Her long hair was elegantly gathered at the top of her head, with a few strands carefully draped over her shoulders. Her black high-heeled shoes made each of her steps exude confidence and unique style.

When Sinan looked at Maral, a smile spread across his face. He felt a deep sense of pride and honor that his sister, with all her beauty and charm, had gone above and beyond for him. Maral entered, as if she had lit up the world for Sinan. He felt as though she had shown him how much she cared, especially on such a special night.

Maral made her way step by step toward Sinan and Erfan. Sinan, completely captivated by Maral's presence, looked at her with eyes full of love and pride. Maral smiled as she approached him, and in that moment, Sinan felt deep in his heart that his sister had done everything she could to make him happy and proud. This night was special for Sinan—one where his sister's unwavering love and support filled his heart with joy.

Erfan couldn't take his eyes off Maral. His heart was racing, and his gaze was unconsciously drawn to her. His childhood friend, who had now transformed into a beautiful, unique, and captivating woman. Maral's refined and attractive appearance, with a face that held a special beauty even without makeup, caught everyone's attention. She was not only captivating to Sinan but to anyone who looked at her.

Even Kaan, who was standing in a corner of the hall engaged in conversation with Ferhat Demir, couldn't look away from Maral. His gaze was involuntarily drawn towards her. From a distance, he watched her carefully, and something stirred inside him. Maral's presence, with all of her natural beauty and charm, strangely captivated everyone around her. Kaan, who always paid attention to the details of his personal and security matters, snapped back to reality and looked away from Maral. Yet, the feelings she had stirred in him were undeniable. There was something in Maral's gaze and presence that made him become entangled in this new emotion.

Ferhat Demir, the company's director, stood up with a warm smile and a friendly expression. The hall was filled with guests who eagerly looked at him. He took the microphone and began his speech in a loud voice:

"Good evening and welcome to all our dear guests. Tonight, we gathered not only to celebrate the company's successes but also to express our gratitude for the hard work of our wonderful employees. Without you, none of these achievements would have been possible. Each of you has played a role in this great journey, and today, we are here to honor you.

Tonight is also an opportunity to thank the dear journalists and photographers from major construction industry media who have joined us. Your presence is invaluable to us, as it helps reflect our achievements in the community and shows the trust and respect we have for our team.

This celebration is a chance to recognize our shared efforts and successes. To all of you who have stood by our side, congratulations, and I hope that with our continued collaboration, we will achieve even greater success. "

Ferhat's words were met with a warm round of applause from the guests. He smiled and continued:

"I wish all of you success. Let's make the most of this night with joy and wonderful memories. Cheers!"

After his speech, Ferhat returned to his seat, and the crowd enthusiastically continued the celebration.

As the guests were chatting and mingling with one another, the orchestra group was playing in a corner of the hall. The sound of the piano, violin, and other instruments harmonized perfectly, filling the air with a soft and soothing melody. The colorful, gentle lights on stage cast a dreamy glow, making the night feel even more enchanting.

Amidst the calming music, the female singer began to sing with her soft, melodious voice. Her voice drifted through the hall like a gentle breeze, and everyone fell into a special silence to enjoy these musical moments. The song was slow and emotional, with words that touched the heart.

The silence in the hall reflected the deep impact the music had on the guests, each person retreating into their own corner, listening intently to the beautiful moments. The atmosphere in the hall was filled with emotions, and the sound of music continued to resonate through the night, with no one wanting to break away from these dream-like moments.

Maral didn't feel comfortable with Erfan's presence. An uneasy feeling lingered in her heart, one she couldn't ignore.

Erfan walked toward Maral. As he got closer, he smiled and said,

"You look beautiful..."

Maral, flustered by the compliment, lowered her head and quietly replied,

"Thank you."

However, Erfan's strange gaze and his continuous questions persisted. With a slightly softer voice, he asked,

"Why are you avoiding me?"

Maral, embarrassed by the question, remained silent.

Erfan, sensing that he needed to explain further, continued,

"When I heard you came back to Turkey... I was in London, but I came back too. "Why don't you give me a chance?"

Maral, unable to tolerate the situation any longer, replied with a more serious tone,

"This isn't the right place for this conversation, please..."

And then, she made an excuse to leave the hall. She quickly exited the room, but Erfan followed her.

Maral walked into the garden-like courtyard outside the party. As she walked, she could feel her heart racing. The sound of Erfan's footsteps reached her ears from behind, and she stopped in her tracks.

Erfan, catching up with her, said quietly,

"If you told me you hated me, it would be better than running away from me..."

Maral, tired of his words, responded in a calm but firm voice,

"You're my childhood friend. That's all."

Erfan, seeming unwilling to leave it at that, replied,

"We made a promise to each other."

Maral glared at him angrily and said,

"I never made any promises to you. Please go back to your life and forget about me."

Maral tried to walk away, but she felt Erfan's hand gripping her wrist tightly. He pulled her towards him and said,

"You can't tell me to go..."

Now fully angry, Maral shouted,

"What are you doing?"

A struggle began between them, both of them now in a tense confrontation, the air thick with anger and tension.

At that moment, Kaan, who seemed to have been following them, witnessed the scene from a distance. He quickly walked over to them, grabbed Erfan's hand, and pulled him aside.

Kaan, with a firm voice, said,

"Let go of her, don't you hear? She says go..."

Erfan, now furious, shouted back,

"It's none of your business!"

Seeing that the situation was escalating, Maral turned to Kaan and said,

"Don't interfere. I'll handle it myself. Please, go back to the hall... I don't want Sinan to know."

Erfan, still trying to talk to Maral, said,

"I don't want to hurt you."

Maral, having reached her breaking point, said firmly,

"Please, both of you go back to the hall... please."

She walked quickly out of the courtyard. After Maral left, a heavy silence fell over the space. Kaan gave Erfan a look, one filled with confusion and perhaps anger, then, after a brief pause, turned and headed back toward the hall, his mind still preoccupied with the scene.

Maral took each step with difficulty in her high heels. With every step she took, the loud, decisive sound of her shoes broke the silence of the night. Sometimes her foot twisted, but ignoring the pain, she kept walking. It seemed as if she didn't care how exhausted her body was. Halfway through, she suddenly stopped and took off her shoes. Without them, she walked more comfortably. Her feet hit the asphalt and the cobblestones of the street, occasionally stepping on a small stone or sharp object that stung her slightly.

At that moment, the sound of Kaan's car engine reached her ears. A car sped toward her and stopped right in front of her. Kaan opened the car door and, in a calm yet determined tone, said to Maral,

"Get in, Maral."

Maral glanced at him and, with indifference, replied,

"No, I don't want to."

Kaan, unwilling to let Maral continue alone in this state, got out of the car. His gaze fell on the shoes Maral was holding and then shifted to her bare feet. He wanted to say something, but instead, he parked the car, got out, and quickly walked toward his car's trunk. From there, he pulled out a pair of large men's sneakers he always kept in the car for running.

He placed the shoes in front of Maral and said,

"Put these on. Your feet will get hurt..."

Surprised by this unexpected gesture, Maral smiled and glanced at the shoes and their size. Kaan, with a voice that was almost playful, said,

"Put them on, your feet will get hurt... Dr. Maral..."

"And I think it's better if you go back to the party."

But Maral, deep down, didn't want to return to the party. She spoke quietly,

"No, I don't feel like it. I'll call Sinan and tell him that something came up at the hospital and I need to go."

Without saying a word, Kaan took his phone, called a taxi for Maral, and helped her into the car. He stood by, waiting until the taxi started moving. As the taxi drove away, Kaan's gaze met Maral's. She had turned back and was looking at him. The look in her eyes unsettled him, but he mentally told himself to pull it together and go back to the party.

In the taxi, Maral stared out the window. The turmoil and tangled emotions in her mind swirled. Yet, she felt strangely calm. Just a few moments ago, in Kaan's presence, she had felt an unusual peace. It was as though he was someone who could be a savior.

Kaan returned to the party hall, and as soon as he entered, he ran into Erfan. Erfan's face showed anger and frustration, as if he had been defeated. In a calm voice, but full of rage, he said,

"You shouldn't have interfered... You don't know anything about us."

At that moment, Sinan approached and said gently,

"Maral's gone... unfortunately... she called and said something came up."

Kaan decided not to continue talking to Erfan and walked toward his group of friends.

Erfan, still angry, looked at Sinan and asked,

"Is there something going on between Maral and Kaan?"

Sinan, with a mocking laugh, replied,

" Of course not. "What are you talking about, bro?"

Just then, Erfan, turning his face, noticed that Kaan was in the middle of the hall, dancing with a young, beautiful girl.