The Betrayal’s Cold Breath
427 Words
What Selin didn’t know was that her rejection of Kerem’s advances had consequences beyond hurt feelings. In his confusion and concern, Kerem had made a decision that would change everything.
He called Dr. Levent.
“Doctor, this is Kerem Yılmaz. I’m Selin Demir’s neighbor. We’ve spoken before about my concerns.”
“Yes, I remember. What’s happened?”
“She’s getting worse. Last night at a family dinner, she basically told everyone she’s still in a relationship with Murat. Her dead fiancé. And this morning, she texted me that she’s ‘exactly where she needs to be.’ Doctor, I think she needs more intensive help than these weekly sessions.”
Dr. Levent was quiet for a moment. “Did she seem distressed? Agitated?”
“No, that’s the thing. She seemed calm. Certain. Like she really believes he’s still there.”
“I see. Thank you for calling, Kerem. I’ll handle this from here.”
After hanging up, Dr. Levent immediately called Gönül Hanım. “We need to talk about Selin. I think it’s time we considered more aggressive intervention.”
In her apartment, unaware of the phone calls being made about her, Selin sat with Murat, talking about nothing and everything, existing in their impossible bubble.
“Do you think we can keep doing this forever?” she asked.
“Forever is a long time.”
“I know. But… do you think it’s possible?”
“I think,” Murat said carefully, “that nothing about us is possible. And yet we’re here. So maybe impossible things can last forever too.”
“That’s not an answer.”
“I know. But it’s all I have.”
Selin leaned back against the couch. “What if they try to separate us? My family, the doctors, everyone?”
“Then we fight.”
“How? You’re a ghost. I’m one bad evaluation away from being institutionalized.”
“Then we’ll be smart. Careful. We’ll play their game when we have to.”
“I’m tired of playing games, Murat.”
“I know. But sometimes survival requires performance.”
“Is that what we’re doing? Surviving?”
“Aren’t we?”
She didn’t have an answer for that. Because the truth was, she didn’t know anymore if what they were doing was living or just elaborate denial of death.
All she knew was that she wasn’t ready to stop. Whatever this was—love, madness, or some combination of both—she wasn’t ready to let it go.
Even if the whole world thought she should.
- Writer
