CHAPTER 3: LANTERNS AND POLAROIDS
The evening sky was still holding onto the last traces of sunlight when Liora stepped out of the train station, camera already hanging from her neck.
The city looked different at night.
Streetlights flickered on one by one, glowing like scattered stars. Shop signs lit up in soft neon colors, and the air carried the scent of grilled food drifting from the street market nearby.
Behind her, Evren adjusted the strap of his backpack and sighed.
"You know," he said, "normal people usually go home after classes."
Liora didn't even turn around.
"Normal people don't find good lighting at home."
Evren rolled his eyes but followed her anyway.
They had barely taken ten steps before Liora suddenly stopped in the middle of the sidewalk.
Evren almost walked straight into her.
"What—"
Click.
The Polaroid camera flashed.
A small white photo slid out of the top of the camera.
Evren stared at her.
"You just took a picture of the sidewalk."
Liora examined the photo as it slowly developed.
"Correction," she said calmly, "I took a picture of the sunset reflection on wet pavement."
Evren leaned closer to look.
The image slowly appeared—soft pink clouds mirrored in the rainwater on the street.
He blinked.
"…Okay, that actually looks cool."
Liora grinned like she had just won an award.
"I know."
She slipped the Polaroid into the side pocket of her bag and started walking again.
"Come on," she said.
"Where are we going exactly?"
"The night market."
Evren groaned.
"Why do I feel like I'm about to become unpaid labor again?"
"You volunteered."
"I absolutely did not."
"You followed me."
"That's not the same thing."
Liora laughed as they turned down a lively street.
The night market had already begun.
Lanterns hung overhead in long glowing lines, swaying gently in the evening breeze. The warm golden light made everything look softer—people, buildings, even the pavement beneath their feet.
Music from a nearby stall floated through the air.
Somewhere, someone was laughing loudly.
Liora's eyes lit up instantly.
"Oh my god."
Evren knew that tone.
That tone meant trouble.
Before he could say anything, Liora grabbed his sleeve and pulled him toward the nearest stall.
"Look at the lanterns!"
Evren glanced up.
Dozens of lanterns floated above the street, glowing in shades of orange and red.
"…They're lanterns," he said.
"Yes, Evren," Liora said patiently, "that is the point."
She lifted her camera again.
Click.
Click.
Click.
Evren leaned against a nearby railing while she moved around like an excited tourist.
"You realize you've taken about thirty photos already," he said.
"Thirty-two."
"That doesn't make it better."
A small printer stall nearby was offering instant photo prints.
Liora walked over immediately.
Evren followed.
The stall owner handed her a fresh Polaroid frame.
Liora turned toward Evren suddenly.
"Stand there."
"Why?"
"Just stand there."
Evren sighed but stepped under the lanterns.
The warm light reflected softly against his dark hair.
Liora lifted the camera.
For a second, she paused.
Through the camera lens, Evren looked different somehow.
The lantern light created soft shadows across his face. His expression was calm, slightly amused, like he was used to her random photography sessions.
It felt like one of those quiet moments she wanted to remember forever.
Click.
The flash went off.
The photo slowly slid out.
Evren walked over.
"Let me see."
"Wait," Liora said, gently waving the Polaroid in the air. "It's still developing."
They stood there for a moment, watching the image appear.
Evren's face slowly came into view beneath the lanterns.
The picture looked surprisingly cinematic.
Evren raised an eyebrow.
"…I look like I'm in a drama poster."
"That's because you are," Liora said.
He stared at her.
"What?"
"You're the emotionally unavailable second lead."
Evren laughed.
"Oh really?"
"Tragic backstory. Quiet personality. Secret feelings."
Evren folded his arms.
"And what are you?"
Liora thought for a moment.
"The chaotic main character."
"That checks out."
The Polaroid finished developing.
Liora pulled a pen from her bag and wrote something on the white border.
Evren tried to peek.
"What did you write?"
"Nothing."
"You definitely wrote something."
She held the photo away from him.
"Confidential."
"Liora."
"Evren."
He reached for the photo.
She dodged him.
"Hey!"
They accidentally bumped into a small table nearby.
A stack of paper lantern decorations fell onto the ground.
Both of them froze.
The stall owner glanced over.
Evren quickly bent down and started picking them up.
"Sorry!" he said.
Liora helped too, trying not to laugh.
When everything was back in place, they quickly escaped down the street.
A few seconds later, Liora burst out laughing.
Evren shook his head.
"You're unbelievable."
"You're the one who attacked me for the photo."
"You wrote something suspicious."
"I wrote the truth."
"Oh really?"
She smiled mischievously.
"You'll find out someday."
They walked deeper into the night market.
The crowd grew thicker.
Food stalls lined both sides of the street, steam rising from hot grills.
The smell of dumplings filled the air.
Liora immediately stopped again.
"Food break."
Evren didn't argue this time.
They ordered two plates and sat on a wooden bench near the edge of the market.
For a while, they just ate quietly.
The city hummed softly around them.
After finishing her food, Liora leaned back and looked up at the lanterns again.
"Today was nice."
Evren nodded.
"Yeah."
"Days like this make everything feel… slower."
Evren glanced at her.
"What do you mean?"
She thought for a moment.
"Like nothing bad can happen when everything feels this simple."
Evren didn't respond immediately.
He just looked at the lantern lights reflecting in her eyes.
Sometimes he wondered if she realized how much her presence changed the atmosphere around her.
Everything felt lighter when she was around.
She suddenly turned toward him.
"Wait."
Evren frowned.
"What now?"
"Final photo."
"Oh no."
"Yes."
She dragged him toward the lantern street again.
They stood beneath the glowing lights.
Liora lifted the camera and held it out in front of them.
"Selfie Polaroid."
Evren sighed.
"This better not end up on your 'evidence against Evren' board."
"Too late."
Click.
The flash went off again.
The photo slowly appeared.
This time it showed both of them.
Liora smiling brightly.
Evren looking mildly annoyed—but still standing close beside her.
She stared at the photo for a moment.
Then she smiled softly.
Evren noticed.
"What?"
"Nothing."
She slipped the Polaroid carefully into her bag.
They began walking toward the train station again.
The night air had turned cooler.
The lantern lights slowly faded behind them as the market grew quieter.
Liora walked a few steps ahead.
Evren followed.
For a moment, he watched her from behind.
The camera strap rested against her shoulder.
Her bag held dozens of tiny Polaroid memories.
He wondered how many of those photos included him.
Probably more than he realized.
At the station entrance, Liora turned around.
"Train in five minutes."
Evren nodded.
They stepped onto the platform together.
The city lights stretched endlessly beyond the tracks.
Liora leaned against the railing.
Evren stood beside her.
Neither of them spoke.
But the silence wasn't uncomfortable.
It was the kind of quiet that only existed between people who had known each other for years.
Liora suddenly reached into her bag and pulled out the lantern photo of Evren.
She looked at it again.
Then carefully placed it back inside.
Evren noticed.
"Saving it for something important?"
She shrugged.
"Maybe."
The train lights appeared in the distance.
Neither of them knew it yet.
But one day—
that small Polaroid would become one of the most important memories she ever kept.