Let's dive right in.
Chapter 38: Old Stains
Janu POV:
I tightened my grip on the collar of my bathrobe as a shiver went down my spine.
Aahh am sick.
I slowly walked back to my room. And as I did so, my phone vibrated indicating a message just came in. I walked over to my dresser.
"Wear something warm and cute. I did my part of informing you."
I rolled my eyes at my screen, before I smiled at the message sender's name, Nikola.
I threw my phone on the bed before walking over to my cabinet to pick out something cute.
*
Niko POV:
I juggled my keys through the keyhole before pushing the door open and stepping inside.
I looked around my abandoned apartment. I haven't been in here for almost a year and a half.
The place didn't change at all, it still held that ambience like it always did. It was icy cold in here and deprived from all sort of life.
How did I even manage to live in here?!
I walked to one of the brown packed boxes, then pulled out a thin black sweater to change into. How lucky am I that it is colder now and sweaters don't wrinkle easily.
I let out a deep sigh as I removed one sweater, before putting on the black one.
*
I finally pulled over at Janu's place. I stepped out of the car and with my back to her apartment building. I slid my hands into my pockets and faced the ocean. I closed my eyes as everything washed over me. The sound of the cars passing by, the honking, the impatient drivers. A random stranger brushed against me as he argued with his wife on the phone, the shrieks of the birds soaring into the sunset, and the angry ocean in the background.
I stood in the middle of that hustle feeling out of place.
How lone……..
"Niko"
I smiled to myself as I turned around to face "Niko" I imitated her in a high-pitched nasally voice.
She rolled her eyes at me.
I went quite as it hit me.
I lightly bit down on my lip as I admired the scene, as I admired her. A long-sleeved emerald green wrap dress hugging her fair skin and the light breeze blew into her hair.
"Guzel"
I only realized that I said it out loud, when she looked down shyly.
My smile widened at that.
"Let me get the door for you." I offered trying to shake off awkwardness that settled between us.
I drove in silence, sneaking a few secret gazes in her direction. But then I got caught, Janu turned her head away avoiding my stare.
But even when she did, I could still see her reflection on the car's window.
Janu was hiding a red shy face and an adorable smile.
As I entered the old neighbourhood Janu asked "Where are you taking me?!"
"You finally came back to your senses and started investigating." I said teasingly.
She opened her mouth to object but I interrupted her "Patience."
I stopped by the old house, unfastened my seatbelt then turned to her "I thought you could use a homecooked meal." I said softly with a weak smile.
The expression my statement left on her was beautiful. It was a mixture of amusement, awe, and sadness.
"Hadi." I said with a weak smile before pressing down on her buckle to unfasten her own seat.
I grabbed the cake box then lead the way up the front door.
"Hos geldin." I welcomed her as soon as we stepped inside.
"Niko, where have you...……. ?!" she started investigating me before appearing in the little hallway.
"Affendim Hayat annem, I was working and I did have my lunch." I started answering before she emerged from the kitchen.
"What is that?!" she asked as soon as she saw me, pointing at the cake box.
"A cake for our lovers." I said with a wicked smile.
Up to that point she wasn't aware that Janu was there, as she was obstructed from her view by me.
"Hayat annem.' I turned sideways to introduce Janu 'This is my friend Janu, we are working on a case together. I hope you don't mind having her as my guest for the night."
"Why didn't you tell me beforehand silly boy?! Hos geldin kizim." she pulled my by the sleeve then pushed me aside.
She outstretched her hand to Janu then gave her a little hug.
"Hos geldin teyza." Janu beamed before hugging her back.
"Ooh Hayat annem you forgot all about me as soon as you saw her."
"Niko." she sneered at me.
"Ama you just pushed me aside." I responded back with a little pout.
"Gel gel kizim, just ignore him." Hayat annem said before leading the way.
"You look so nice when you are shy and quite." I teased Janu.
"Shut up Niko." she said pushing me aside and following in after Hayat annem.
I smiled to myself before I went into the kitchen to hide the cake in the fridge.
Janu POV:
I walked into the living room following Hayat teyza.
And as I did, the room went silent.
There on the couch sat Nur and Luka.
Oh great what a great homecooked meal I will be having today.
"SEN" Nur said standing up to her feet.
"Nur" Luka tugged at her sleeve.
"Ne Nur?! Wasn't it enough all the damage that she have caused?!"
I let out a breath "Tamam, she is right. I wronged Niko and ozur dilerim."
I turned to Hayat teyza grabbing her by the hands "Affet beni. I hurt someone you all love and care about."
"Tamam kizim, whatever happened is in the past. And the fact that Niko brought you home himself just means that he forgave you. Let the past be in the past." she said with a little smile.
I turned to face Luka "Ozur dilerim."
"You are forgiven ama you are under the radar in my case." Luka said firmly.
"I understand and I respect you more for that." I replied with a little nod.
"But I don't forgive her." Nur declared with a disgusted expression.
"Nur yeter." Luka said turning her towards him.
"Hayat annem aren't we eating, I am starving." Niko called from the hallway.
"Evet we are. Bedaka you just told me you ate. You lied to me." Hayat teyza scolded Niko.
I sat at the dinning table, as Nur and Luka set the table. Nur threw a dirty look at me whenever she could.
Ouuuffff ya
Niko walked into the little room holding an extra plate. He outstretched his hand to give it to me.
As the tips of my fingers touched the plate, he pulled it back.
"Nikooo." I said half pissed.
He smiled back at me "Stop sulking. Gel' he tilted his head to the side 'help me."
As I walked behind him I heard Nur ask "Did she just call him Niko?! Isn't that name only preserved to you and Hayat annem?!"
I stopped in my tracks.
"That's exactly why you must forgive her." Luka stated.
Niko POV:
"Janu take this bowl." I pointed at the bowl next to the two plates that I picked up.
I tuned around and saw Janu by the entrance is a dazed state.
"Janu what is wrong?!' I asked approaching her. 'Is it Nur?! Is she giving you a hard time?! I will talk to her and set things clear."
"Hayir hayir.' I said pulling him back by the arm. 'Am sick you know and I."
"You didn't take you medicine did you?!"
Janu smacked my lips together.
"Janu I told you to take it."
She fixated her eyes on the tile attempting to avoid my gaze.
"Niko" Hayat annem summoned me, which made Janu walk around me and into the kitchen.
"Oglum ne bu?!" she asked holding a buttoned shirt.
"A shirt." I said mockingly.
"Oh thank you for telling me. I mean this black spot.' she pointed at the black smudge from yesterday 'I give you Dettol wipes to avoid such incidents."
While Hayat annem closely examined the shirt, I looked over at Janu.
She looked at the shirt then at me, confused.
"Will this ever be washed off?!" Hayat annem wondered loudly.
"That would depend if it was waterproof or not." I replied smirking at Janu.
She swallowed hard and looked away. I kept watching her nervously tapping her nails on the bowl as she realized that she was the one who stained it. It was the very same shirt that she cried on yesterday.
The end for now.
No comments:
Post a Comment