GHOST LOVER

The Center

That night, Selin didn’t sleep. Kerem was in the adjacent room. Selin had locked her door, but she knew this meant nothing to Murat. She sat at the edge of the bed, counting her breaths. Murat was silent. This silence had now become a show of power.

“I’m going to end this,” Selin said to the darkness. “I won’t live this way.”

Murat’s voice came slowly. “Ending me,” he said, “is denying yourself.”

Selin stood up. “You’re not my reality,” she said. “You’re… a held memory.”

Murat laughed. This laugh made Selin shiver. “Then why do you still hear me?” he asked.

Selin didn’t answer. She picked up her phone. Searched online. “Post-traumatic attachment… grief hallucinations…” What she read didn’t comfort her, but she noticed something: she wasn’t alone. There were people experiencing this. And those who got help…

A knock on the door. Selin flinched. Kerem’s voice came. “Selin? Are you okay?”

Selin opened the door. Kerem entered. His face was tense. “The front desk just called,” he said. “Someone was seen outside your room.”

Selin’s throat knotted. “Who?” she asked.

Kerem shook his head. “They couldn’t describe anyone. They just said… they felt cold.”

Murat appeared between them. This time he didn’t hide. Selin felt him become clearer than ever before. This froze Selin inside. “I’m here now,” Murat said. “By running, you made me grow.”

Kerem noticed Selin freeze. “Do you see something?” he asked.

Selin looked at Kerem. Her eyes were filled with tears. “Yes,” she said. This time she didn’t run away. “I see someone.”

Kerem’s face changed. But there was no fear. Just concern. “Okay,” he said. “Tell me.”

Murat became angry. The room turned cold for a moment. The curtains moved slightly. “Don’t do this,” Murat said. “Don’t share me with him.”

Selin took a deep breath. “I’m going to share now,” she said. “Because this is my life.”

This sentence pushed Murat back. For a moment, his silhouette dispersed. But he didn’t disappear. He just… went into waiting mode.

Kerem came to Selin’s side. “Tomorrow,” he said, “let’s go back. And let’s get help together. I’m here.”

Selin nodded. Tears fell from her eyes. This tear was something new for Murat. It wasn’t born of fear, but of decision.

Murat whispered:

“You’re pushing me out of the center.”

And for the first time, he sounded afraid.