DAY DREAM (Gülçin Özbek Kuyumcu-GÜNDÜZ DÜŞÜ)

- 7 -

Chapter 7; Changing Plans...

That night, I had been consumed by myself until morning, but once again I managed to wake up with acceptance. Mourning my losses would not serve any purpose for the past, nor would it hold me back from my plans. After all, I had no moments to lose by lamenting. If I had accepted from the beginning that I had no future, then pretending that it meant something to me now was unnecessary. The path I had embarked on to honor the past would be determined by the consequences of the steps I would take towards the future.

After what I witnessed, it was quickly proven that I had not been wrong about one of my suspicions. I was not the only one playing a role in this house. While I thought I had calculated everything, the tiny details that I missed were now mocking me in my mind. I had not been able to catch the breadcrumbs that Hikmet had been leaving in front of me all this time.

Hikmet's obsessions and fear of losing were triggered by the unexpected developments with his sister. Almost every day, he was involving me in his work by claiming that he needed help with some excuse. For now, it was only company affairs, but I knew it wouldn't be limited to that. I was working with an "I don't mind, it's money in my pocket" attitude because it was also what I wanted, but the reality was right in front of my eyes.

For months, he wanted me to be like a doll by his side while he worked, he would take me to his office without any invitation, he would leave files open on his desk or screen pretending not to care, and I would overhear phone conversations under the pretext of getting a massage... He was sure that I wasn't interested in any of these things, but his attempts to win me over had not stopped. Now, I was being pulled in rapidly.

Nothing had happened by chance until now. She believed that the more I became involved in her life, the more attached I would become. Perhaps in her twisted fantasies, we were Michel and Patricia*, Mickey and Mallory**, or Bonny and Clyde. We had to be together in love and in crime, even in our last breaths. With a sick mindset, she claimed that the excuse she put forward was very innocent, but the truth was that she had no one left to trust but me in her life.

The rapidly evolving innovations continued to bring changes to Hikmet as well. It was not possible for a man like Hikmet to trust anyone so quickly, even if it was me. I could see that he had something on his mind but he didn't give away the slightest hint. Every time I tried to hold him back, I was met with his commanding attitude. Although we didn't fight like cats and dogs, we started to argue frequently. Of course, at the end of these arguments, Hikmet seemed to either take a step back or try to find a middle ground. The truth was that he was guiding me sweetly and lovingly to get me to where he wanted me to be. At least, that's what he thought.

I returned from the walk I took with the "newcomer," who still remained nameless, and went downstairs for dinner, only to find a strange silence in the house. Hikmet would be home in no more than half an hour, and someone should have been preparing dinner, yet there was no one in the house but me. The dark and empty house was illuminated only by a dim light in the dining room.

As soon as I understood the reason for my solitude, I headed towards the light without waiting. I found Hikmet trying to choose one of his favorite records while listening to music. Apparently, since I was skeptical of any surprise that would happen outside, he found a solution in preparing a surprise at home. I wondered if there was a purpose behind this surprise, or if he had done it just because he felt like it. I stood at the entrance of the room and waited.

When he adjusted the music and turned around, he noticed my presence. He smiled and walked over to me, giving me a kiss on the cheeks. "Sweetheart, why did you stay at the door? Come in."