"Silence also is a wisdom,
the flame hiding in a cotton wool."
~Rumi~

!!!________________!!!

Chapter 3: Neighbour

Calgary's POV:
After coming back from Ankara, I got busy. Really busy that even I couldn't find time to call my grandmother.
There were some business to finish, which caught me up to 2 days. In these 2 days, whenever I got time I was thinking about Fatin. I don't know if she knows somebody here.
Also right now,I was doing the same. I didn't forget about her, nor was she 'somebody' to forget about. Today, Going back from work I decided to call her. But when I reach my apartment it was nearly 22:44. So I changed my mind to call her, thinking about to call her in the morning.
I decided to get shower as I had my dinner out. After taking long and relaxing shower I changed into some shorts and came out the bathroom. I checked the time, clock was showing 23:25.

CAGLAR DEAR! TIME TO HIT THE HAY.
I told myself.
As my schedule was hectic previous days and I barely get rest so as soon as my body felt comfy mattress beneath it, I fell into deep slumber.

••••••••••••••

I woke up with the sound of alarm.
I checked the time, 5:00.

Getting out of the bed, I went towards my balcony. I was standing there stretching my muscles to wake them up, when I saw a familiar figure doing yoga in the balcony of the apartment next to mine.

I can't see the face properly because of darkness, but figure seemed to be familiar , with high ponytail. She??

I went to take a close look but the person turned around and went inside. I might be a mistaken.

Is she really her or I am bewildered?? I think so it's my illusion, last night I slept thinking about her. It might be a mistake.

Shaking thoughts out of my head I headed towards bathroom. After taking the shower I changed into my track suit, picking my belongings I got ready for my morning run.

•••••••••

Fatin's POV:

Journey from airport to apartment was quite exciting.
I was sitting in a taxi looking at mesmerising view of Istanbul. Clouds were surrounding the sky, roads were wet because of rain which had stopped by now. Everything was so fresh and washed as an after effects of rain.
It was office time so as usual like all other places in the world, Istanbul was busy right now.

When taxi reached the Bosphorus bridge, my breathing stopped at the view in front of me.
In front of my sinful eyes, lays the beautiful and mesmerising Sea of Marmara.
Blue waters of Marmara, proudly reflecting the perfect images of it's surrounding on it's heart. I can see the breathtaking reflection of clouds and seagulls roaming above water along with the cold Sun. It was something out of fairytale, majestic.

Indeed all the prayers are towards Allah!!!!

After crossing the Bosphorus, taxi headed towards the tomb of last Sahabi, Hazrat Abu Ayub Insari. It was tradition of Turks that there guests whenever they arrive there, they visit the tomb of Last Companion of Prophet Muhammad صلی اللّٰہ و علیہ و آلہ و سلم .

Tomb is located in the Eyüp District of Istanbul, outside the city walls near Golden Horn.

When I entered there, front yard was full of pigeons.
There was something so calm and peaceful at that place that my mind couldn't point it out. I was dazed.
It's not even been a day here and I'm already amused by Turkey.

•••••••••

I reach my apartment building at 10:00.
After checking in and taking card I headed towards my apartment which was on top floor. Yes, I am going to live in an apartment.

Yes I said that I am here on vacations for whole month, I am but problem is I didn't have my return ticket (Yahoo!). And I'm happy for that I have bought an apartment here, and I'm having expense from which I can only survive about a month here. I don't have money for return ticket even, all my life's fortune has been spent on this apartment. I have been planning this out from previous 4 years and was working on it since then.

It was an escape plan from my Family aka my aunt and her ruthless, arrogant son. I was 7 years old when my parents died in a car crash along with my elder brother. Since then my father's only sister aunt Noushaba raised me. She along with her husband was in charge of my father's business after his death and now it's her Son, Faraan. Well you can say I was never treated fairly and had a quite Cinderella's life moments from which I managed getaway. I know if they found me out, they'll kill me for sure.

I only have one friend my whole life, Minahil but she also don't know about my whereabouts. She knew that I have escaped from home and she helped me through it whole time but I can't tell her and risk her life. After my parents and brother she was the only person left dearer to me, whom I can't bear to loss.
I remember the day before my flight when I went to meet her and bide her farewell, she was crying. I was unable to look into her teary eyes but I have to leave. One of the hardest things to do in this life is to leave your loved ones.

With promise to contact her as soon as the things settle down, I leave her place with a heavy heart.
Only she knew that I was going out of country. My aunt and her family, I told them that I'm going to spend my weekend at vacation house in Northern areas but I never went there.

When they will find me missing, firstly they'll search me in Islamabad, then in Northern parts, and other cities. They'll never thought about me in foreign country because they think I don't have money. They'll freeze my bank accounts. Will try to confiscate my passport.
Thinking about foreign country their first thought will be about Germany because in my previous years of life, I always give them idea that how much I love Germany and want to live my rest of life there. Of course which was fake.
Secondly, my family never told me that my mother was Turkish, and they thought I never knew but my fathers personal diary was with me and still is with me.

I packed my bags, along them I bought all the important papers which includes my birth certificate, ID cards of my parents, my degrees, certificates, papers of property, my father's last will, and some others which I thought would be necessary and I'll need in future. In the name of assets, I only have jewellery of my mother, which I was able to hide from my aunt in these years also my own some jewellery which my Aunt and her son, Faraan, gifted me on different occasions, so that I'll get happy and never raise my voice against them but they were wrong. Well I have eyes, ears and my mind  to comprehend about my surroundings. But at that time I was weak and can't raise my voice so I kept quiet and prepared myself for the upcoming events of my life. About them I know that my absent will bought destruction.

I hate Faraan. I know that Faraan was double faced jerk who pretend to have feelings for me but is just a control freak. He treats me like I was his property or something. Also he had multiple girlfriends. He is a womaniser and even a high smoker.

I don't know what will happen to me now? I also don't know how will I survive? I know I have got place to live but what about other necessities? I can't live without earning. First of all, I need to find a job. Then I only have apartment here, nothing else.... I have to be employed as soon as possible.

But the problem is I don't know anybody here and don't have any acquaintances except Caglar but I don't want to disturb him nor can I tell about my problems to him. I'm the person who fight their own battles.

Shaking the thoughts of tomorrow off of my head. I entered the elevator.
Walking in the corridor, Planning what I'll do today, I was deep in thoughts when I bumped into somebody.

"Oops! Sorry. I'm so sorry. I was lost in my own thoughts that I didn't noticed you " I apologised from the girl standing in front of me probably of same age as mine.

"No problem " she said with a smile.
While smiling her green eyes become narrow and she look gorgeous. She seemed to be Turk from her looks.Her long eyelashes draping big emerald green eyes. She was taller than me. I was also tall with 5'7 inches but she was towering me. Her black hair in Bob cut make her long neck seem longer. Her prominent jawline and dimples on both sides of her face. She was wearing white top with tight jeans and leather jacket.
She was beautiful!

" I'm Zynep. I think you are new here." She said pointing towards my luggage. Snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Uhh.....Fatin, I'm Fatin. Yes. I moved here today."
I replied half sentence in Turkish and half in English. I can somehow understand Turkish but speaking was somethings else. I have to do something about it also if I wanna have job.

"Nice meeting you Fatin. I also live here, my apartment number is 304. Feel free to come anytime. " she noted my hesitation so this time she replied in English. Thanks God.

"Nice meeting you too. And my apartment number is 305 by the way. Thanks for your consideration." I said with the huge smile on my face. This girl is so nice. I already was feeling comfortable with her.

"Oh.. This makes us neighbours.
How about having a dinner tonight? "
She squealed while offering me dinner.

What?? Is she real? I hesitated, I mean I don't know her. She seems to be nice but what if she is a kidnapper? And besides I don't want to be a problem for someone.

" Don't be afraid I'm not going to kidnap you, and your presence won't be any problem for me" she said while reading my thoughts.

A smile appears on my face. After exchanging numbers and with promise to meet at 8:00 on dinner we said our farewells.

Entering my apartment, I was shocked.
It was small as compared to my home but it was elegant . Interior was of wood and glass. Floor was also wooden. I have seen it in pictures and on internet but this thing was more beautiful. It was comfy.

Pushing away the Idea of exploring it I headed towards the stairs. There were three rooms and a study along with library, amazing thing about them was all of them have balconies, including lounge.
I chose the masters bedroom as the view from here was beautiful. You can see Istanbul and get a little view of Bosphorus along it through ceiling high windows.
After Changing into something comfortable, I went straight to my king size bed and soon I was sleeping dreamlessly.

I woke up with the sound of my alarm which I set before sleeping. It was 14:00. I went towards kitchen , my stomach was growling with hunger I lastly eat on airplane and after reaching here I was so tired to even eat. I drink some juice and munched over some junk food because if I had my meal right now I won't be able to have my dinner properly. Remembering about dinner oh I have dinner with Zynep.

After worshipping my stomach with food, I started to unpack my bags.
I was emptying my last suitcase and was hanging my clothes in my wardrobe when my phone beeps.
It was a message from Zynep, she texted me to remind me of dinner. I smiled as I read it.

After replying her, I headed towards wardrobe and chose a baby pink top with little white embroidery around its neck and net around sleeves, pairing it with jeans.
I dried my hairs and made them into Dutch braid leaving my bangs to fall above my eyes.
Wearing my brown heel boats I checked the time, it was 7:50, after exiting the apartment I turned on my right.

On this floor, there were four apartments and a lobby. To the right side of my apartment was Zynep's apartment 304, on left of my apartment was apartment 306. Fourth apartment which was probably 303 was on other side of the lobby.

I headed towards Zynep's apartment.
She welcomed me with a huge smile and a bone crushing hug.
She lived there with her mom. Zynep was a lawyer. Her father died when she was 19. Her mother Fazilet Hanim is a humble and adorable lady. She treated me like her own child. I was feeling comfortable and like a family member along them. After dinner we chatted a lot about our lives.
Zynep was working with a law firm. She was engaged and her fiancé was a businessman.
She belong from Anatolia and was living in Istanbul since she was five. We become good friends.
Time flew by and I didn't even notice that already 2 hours were passed and it was 10pm.
Zynep said that she'll help me find a job as she has many friends in media circle.

Fazilet Hanim told me or I should say complained me about Zynep that she never cooks. In her defence, Zynel told she hate doing it.
With promise coming again I took permission from Fazilet Hanim to leave.
" Fazilet Hanim! I'll be glad if you give me honour to have dinner with me someday. I really enjoyed today. Dinner was great and I felt home" I asked her nervously.

" You are a daughter for me. Sure I'll come, but on one condition?..... If you'll make Pakistani food for me." She said with glint of mischief and love in her eyes.

" of course, I'll cook. You know? I love cooking."
I said with love. Of course I'll cook for her. Why shouldn't I?? She was such a lovely woman.

" From now onwards no need to be sad remembering your mother because you have me now" She hugged me.
Tears came in my eyes and rolled down my cheeks.

"Oh ladies please stop this emotional scene. You are also making me cry." Zynep said while hugging both of us.

••••••

After coming back from dinner and changing my clothes, I went straight to the bed .

Next day I woke up late. Zynep called me and said that tomorrow we'll go to find a job for me. I was grateful to her for the love, care and help, she was giving me.
For my breakfast, I had some bread with cheese.
After my breakfast our I should say brunch because it was nearly 12:00, I started exploring my apartment and I arranged it. Then I went for some grocery shopping after consulting GPS.

Time went by flying and soon it was 7:00 in the evening. I had my dinner in a hotel nearby. I was avoiding taxis to balance my budget, beside it I was missing my morning runs which I haven't done since last week due to all travelling and stuff.
Deciding to start my run from the morning I went towards my apartment.

••••••••

Next day, I woke up due to my alarm clock at 4:30 am.
After going through my morning routine I took my rug and headed toward balcony of my lounge. Yup, I was going to do yoga. I was habitual of doing it since I was 5 years old. My mother taught me.
I gave my half an hour to it and then I got ready for my morning walk.

•••••••••

I was near my apartment building, when my phone vibrated, knowing that it'll be Zynep because only two people have my number : Zynep and Caglar, and Caglar didn't contact me since 2 days probably he's busy or he forgot about me, so it won't be him.

I slow down my pace and was about to take turn while taking out my phone, when I bumped into something hard.
No someone hard, because I can see the pair of white Nike joggers from my half closed eyes, due to pain in my head. Severe Pain.......
I lift my head to scold the person but my words get lost from the sight of person in front of me.

" Caglar........." Were only word that left my mouth due to disbelief.

*****************************

W/N:
Salam. Hello. Hola.
So here's another update. I know it's a little late but last time I posted only 6 days ago......😜

Remember me in your prayers.

Published: 10/06/2018
Edited: 30/10/2023