GHOST LOVER

nexxt

Scene: Face to Face

When Selin opened the door, she expected to see the girls, but the scene before her was entirely different. Boxes were being carried out of the opposite apartment’s open door. At that moment, a man holding a lamp—about 28-30 years old, athletically dressed, quite handsome and energetic—came face to face with Selin.

“Ah, hello! Sorry, we’ve blocked the hallway a bit, but I’m just moving in,” the man said, his face breaking into that naturally charming smile. His eyes lingered on Selin for just a second too long. “I’m Kerem. Your new neighbor across the hall.”

Selin hesitated for a moment. She felt Murat instantly drop the hallway’s temperature. Murat was now standing right behind her.

“Selin. Welcome,” Selin said politely but distantly.

“Thanks, Selin Hanım. Once the moving chaos is over, I might come by for that coffee, or knock on your door if I need anything. I hope that’s not a problem,” Kerem said confidently.

Just then, Melis and Pelin emerged from the elevator with bags in their hands. When they saw Kerem, both their eyes lit up. “Ooo, Selin… Your choice in neighbors is excellent!” Pelin whispered, loud enough for Kerem to hear.

As Kerem greeted the girls and went into his apartment, Selin ushered them inside and closed the door. Murat stood frozen at the door, looking through the peephole at the opposite apartment. “I don’t like that guy at all, Selin. He smiles too much, showing all his teeth. And what does ‘if I need anything’ mean? He can go to the store!”

Selin thought to herself, “Calm down, my jealous ghost.”

Scene: Pajama Party and Confessions

As the night progressed, the living room filled with popcorn, wine glasses, and pajama sets. The girls were delighted that no trace remained of Selin’s silent state from the funeral. Music played at full volume as they discussed old memories, new fashion trends, and of course, Kerem from across the hall.

“Girl, that man was literally flirting with you out there!” Melis said, sipping her wine. “Look, Selin, we know you’ll never forget Murat, but life goes on. Kerem seems totally your type. What do you think?”

Selin’s smile froze for a moment. She could see how Murat, sitting in the empty chair beside her, glared with hatred at the glass in Melis’s hand. As Murat’s fingers approached the glass’s stem, Selin quickly interjected.

“Girls, don’t be ridiculous. We just met today. Besides, I’m… I’m not ready for something like that yet, you know.”

“You don’t have to be ready, it’s just coffee,” Pelin said. “Look, you’ve locked yourself in this house for two months. Today’s the first time you’ve been this cheerful. We’ve missed that old, stormy version of you.”

As Selin looked at her friends, she thought about what a massive lie she was living. They thought Selin was healing, when in reality she’d simply doubled her world. She laughed with her friends, gossiped with them, but her heart beat alongside that invisible block of ice beside her—with Murat.

When the girls finally dozed off late that night, Selin quietly rose. Murat stood by the balcony door, looking out at the Bosphorus lights. Selin walked over to him.

“See, they’re convinced I’m returning to normal,” Selin said quietly. “Now they’ll leave us alone.”

Murat turned, the moonlight making his face look as melancholy and noble as always. “They’ll leave you alone, Selin… But that ‘coffee enthusiast’ across the hall… He’s not going to. Just so you know, if he shows up at your door, I won’t stop at just a glass this time.”

Selin leaned her head against Murat’s arm (or rather, that concentrated presence in the air). “Jealous?”

“Territorial,” Murat corrected. “There’s a difference.”