I wave goodbye and see my mother and sister behind me, watching and waving too.
"Who is that woman who looks like a model, Aylla?" Mom asks curiously.
"That's Polen, Jan's girlfriend. They've been together for years," Deniz answers with a smile.
I haven't had time to tell Deniz yet that Jan is single.
"Mashallah to the couple; they are both beautiful and well-matched."
"Allah, Allah! They are just friends! Yes, they used to date, but they broke up. Allah, Allah, if you're going to gossip, at least gossip correctly!"
I go inside fuming. I'm certainly not going to let Polen have the birthday she planned. I quickly message Layla, telling her it's Polen's birthday and that Jan invited everyone to celebrate at his house. "Great. The plan is in motion, the seed is planted. Now everyone is heading to Jan's house, and I'm going to cook—and this time, it's going to work."
I decide to make Tahinli Kek and Mercimek. Mom and Deniz watch me, curious.
"Aylla, what are you doing?" Deniz asks.
"Cooking, can't you see?"
"But you don't know how—" Deniz touches my shoulder as if to comfort me.
"Allah, Allah, Deniz! Don't envy my dish. I just wanted to give him a gift since Jan is such a good boss."
"You must really hate him to decide to cook," Deniz jokes, joining Mom in the living room. Both are eating sunflower seeds.
I eventually convinced Deniz to forget about Emre since he hadn't said anything since asking her out, but she's still trying not to get her hopes up. Ezgi, after I told her what I was doing, insisted on dressing me. She designed a white flared skirt reaching the knees with two black stripes at the hem, a satin tank top with lace details near the chest, and a dark denim jacket. She wanted to add scarves, hats, and bracelets, but since those aren't my style, she just tied my hair in a half-pony with a black scarf and picked out black block-heel sandals—the kind tango dancers wear. Since I always prioritize comfort, they were perfect. How can you not love a friend like that?
Since Deniz was hurt by Emre, I asked Ezgi to pick a special dress for her—one that would highlight her eyes and reflect her soul.
"Deniz, I asked Ezgi to make this dress for you." Deniz looks at it in wonder. It's a turquoise blue knee-length dress, with a braided tie-up top and a gold belt. Ezgi paired it with gold gladiator-style sandals covered in rhinestones and high stilettos. Only Deniz could walk elegantly in those. She changes quickly.
"Oh, Aylla, you are the best sister in the world!" Deniz hugs me happily.
When we arrive at Jan's house, I leave Deniz to greet our friends and go looking for Jan, who, as I suspected, was with Polen.
"Ah, Aylla, I see you came to the party. Strange, since neither he nor I planned anything."
"Really? I could have sworn you planned a party! That's why I made sure to help you out and invite people," I smile naturally. Jan looks on, smiling at the situation.
"Jan bey, could I speak with you privately? It's something about work."
"Of course. If you'll excuse us."
I take Jan to the kitchen and hand him what I cooked.
"What is this?" Jan asks, curious.
"I cooked for you. Your gift." Jan eats the Mercimek and starts coughing.
"It's... spicy." I start to smile clumsily.
"I think I put too much cayenne pepper. You don't have to eat it if you don't want to."
"No, you made it with such care. I'm going to eat it." I start laughing.
"One time I tried to make hard-boiled eggs and I burned the egg."
"How did you manage to do that, Aylla?"
"I forgot it on the stove! The water dried up and the egg turned completely brown."
I say this laughing. The Tahinli wasn't exactly delicious either—it was flat, hard, and dry—but Jan ate it anyway without complaining.
"Next time, Aylla, I'll cook, okay?"
"Okay." Jan uses his hand to brush a crumb away from my mouth. He leaves his hand there for a long time, staring at me, until Zeki appears, looking at us in surprise.
"Zeki?" I look at Jan.
"Thanks! Since I'm so clumsy, I got messy and Jan pointed it out. Shall we go to the party?" Zeki nods. I look at Jan, who has an indecipherable but amused expression. "
Zeki, if you tell anyone what you saw, I'll tell Ezgi you fantasize about marrying her," I whisper. Zeki looks at me, stunned.
"But I never said I wanted to marry her!"
"I can exaggerate a little." I cross my arms, raising the stakes.
"Fine, fine! Just be less clumsy; the office loves to stir up trouble."
Jan was smiling while talking to Emre. I was talking to Deniz, and Polen to Layla. I think I managed to destroy the lunch. Then, a woman of about 45 appeared—short curly hair the color of Jan's, and the same eyes as Emre. Jan's expression changed completely. He looked at her sternly.
"What are you doing here?" "I couldn't miss celebrating my favorite daughter-in-law's birthday. Merhaba, Polen." Jan closes his eyes, turns away, and leaves the house. I run after him.
"Jan! Jan! What happened?"
"My mother happened, Aylla!" Jan says irritably.
He then grabs my hand and leads me toward the car.
"But why are you so angry at your mother?"
"She abandoned me, okay? I don't want to talk about it. Let's get out of here."
"Where are we going?"
"Can I take you to a secret place?" Jan asks, still upset. I nod.
Jan took me to a high hill full of rocks near the sea. He grabbed two glass bottles, paper, and a pen from his car.
"I used to come here as a child to escape my parents' fights. I would write what I wanted to achieve on a paper, put it in a bottle, and throw it into the sea so my dream would come true."
"And did it?"
"Yes, it did. I became a great photographer and traveled the world. Now it's your turn." He says it a bit bitterly. Perhaps his true dream didn't come true and he uses this as a shield.
I won't force him. I hide the paper from him and write: "I wish Jan was the Albatross." I put it quickly in the bottle and get ready to throw it.
"What did you write, Aylla?"
"If I tell you, it won't come true. And you?"
"Secret," Jan smiles. He swings his arm back, shows me how to do it, and we throw them into the sea, hoping it answers our requests.
Jan looks at his phone; he received a message. "It's Polen. The party is over and she's leaving today to catch her flight."
"And your mother? Is she staying?"
"I don't know. She should leave with her. I'm staying at the cabin. Want to eat something first?" "Yes, I'm famished. I didn't even get to eat at the party, and my food wasn't that good."
"It was great," Jan says, kissing my hand.
Jan and I walk in the park, eat kebab, ride bikes together, go skating, and have tea. At the start of the evening, he takes me home.
"Aylla, thank you for everything. For being you. I could look at you all day."
"Jan..." I'm going to confess. Maybe now is the time.
"You're right, I crossed the line. But before I go—" he kisses my cheek.
My heart races. I can't speak, not after this kiss. I smile at Jan, a foolish, glowing smile. Jan smiles back. Sometimes there are things that don't need to be said, just enjoyed.
When I get to my room, Deniz is already there.
"Aylla, I was waiting for you! Emre confessed!"
"What?" I look at her, surprised.
"He kissed me, Aylla! He said I make him want to be a better man. I don't know where he got that because to me, he's a prince."
"Deniz, I'm so happy for you!" I hug her joyfully.
"How did it happen?"
"He said that before taking me out properly, he had to properly end an old relationship. He said she was very toxic and might not accept the breakup, and she might retaliate against him or me."
"Wow, I wonder who it could be?"
"I'm not sure, he kept it a secret and I won't force him. Just knowing it's mutual is enough for me."
I hug Deniz, so happy for her. Maybe I'll follow this wave of love in the air and do the same. Confess to Jan. What would be the most appropriate thing to say?