Better Together

Moment of truth

"Abi, how r u?" Ebru hugged her cousin, who meant more than a brother for her. She spent more time with him than her own brother.

"Happy birthday Ebru!!" Ozgur showered his love on his darling sister, handing her a box of her favourite chocolates.

"This would do for starters, but I hope you got me a proper gift." She helped herself to a chocolate while Ozgur loaded her bags into the car.

"Patience dear... let's get you home first." They got into the car and he drove out.

"So, how's married life treating you? I hope you're taking care of my best friend" Ebru teased him.

"Let me remind you in case you forgot that I'm your brother. Your concern should be towards me." He pretended to be annoyed with her.

"Like I don't know how much you annoyed her when we were kids" She mocked him.

"Traitor" He teased her as she always teamed with Ezgi.

"I miss you guys" Ebru met her husband during med school and moved back to Istanbul with him as he wanted to work in his family hospital.

"We miss you too. Ezgi might visit you soon as her cousin is getting married in Gocek. Maybe we can plan a holiday after the wedding if Karim's free" He suggested a plan knowing it would be nice to spend some time together.

They discussed the potential destinations they could visit in Turkey and she told him what some of their other cousins were up to.

"I thought you said we're going home. Why are we here?" She asked him as he pulled into the driveway.

"It's your birthday and you're back home, we need to celebrate" He opened the door for her.

"You didn't mention it when I called you yesterday." Ebru frowned as she wanted a quiet birthday dinner with just her family.

"I didn't know about it then. Ezgi kept me in the dark too. Yusuf amca and your Abi wanted to throw a party for you" Ozgur was unable to figure out why she was upset.

"I just wanted a quiet family dinner as I wanted to tell you all something important." She sighed preparing herself to greet the crowd knowing her father and brother.

"Happy birthday Ebru" Ezgi hugged her friend as she walked in through the door and entered the garden.

A table was laid out in the garden and she could only see her family and a few close friends.

"Thanks Ezgi. Did you arrange all this?" Ebru asked her as they pulled out and she noticed her favourite flowers displayed on the table.

"I hope you like it. I got special instructions from your husband though" Ezgi got instructions from Karim to just organise a dinner with just family and she had to convince Yusuf to change his plans.

Ozgur admired the bond his wife and his sister shared. Ezgi looked so pretty in her summer dress that he could not take his eyes off her even though he was miffed with her. She barely acknowledged him and was busy pampering Ebru. She finally cast him a glance and smiled shyly.

He went to greet his parents and Sevjen hala, Ebru's mother. After chatting with them, he just acknowledged Tolga's presence with a nod as Yesim was next to him and greeted his uncle. Ebru joined him as well and thanked her father for the surprise. Her happiness was evident on her face. Ezgi walked to Ozgur as Ebru went to freshen up.

"Thanks Ezgi... She seemed happy with the surprise" Yusuf thanked Ezgi for her arrangements though he wanted to throw a big party. He then asked Ozgur about his business.