When he sat back in his seat and pulled the car out of the parking spot, I tilted my head back and closed my eyes, sulking like a kid whose candy had just been taken away.
"When you sober up, we are also going to talk about this Can issue, Miss Duru."
Those were the last words I heard before I drifted off.
When my shoulder was shaken and I forced my eyes open, the first thing I saw was a cardboard cup shoved right under my nose.
"As convenient as it is for me that you sleep quietly, I need you to go inside with me. So it would be better if you woke up already."
I forced myself to open my eyes fully and slowly sat up. Half asleep, half awake, I took the cup of coffee from his hand and took a sip, only to screw up my face in disgust.
"Did you just pour hot water on a coffee packet, boy? What is this?"
He just kept staring at me with that treacherous smile, saying nothing. I rolled my eyes and took another sip of the muddy liquid.
"What time is it?"
"One past one."
"How long have I been sleeping?"
"About an hour." I let out a tired groan and slumped back in the seat, mumbling to myself in irritation.
"When I get my hands on those three little devils, I swear I know exactly what I am going to do. So that was their plan."
"Assuming you are still not drunk, can I know what plan you are talking about?"
"Forget it. It is between me and the girls."
As soon as I finished the coffee and left the cup beside the seat, he shoved another one into my hand without warning and started the car. By the time I forced down that disgusting coffee in big gulps, there was no trace of my drunkenness left, but I felt worse than before.
"Thanks to you, I can feel coffee trees sprouting in my stomach, hotshot."
He ignored my protest and spoke in a serious tone.
"Now that you are back to normal, let us get to the real issue. What did you talk about with Can?"
His question was so unexpected that I stopped massaging my stomach and turned to him in shock.
"So that swampy thing I drank was your revenge, huh? Very mature of you, really."
When his expression did not change and his gaze stayed fixed, I turned back to the front and answered grumpily.
"I do not think we have the kind of relationship where I owe you an explanation."
"To hell with the relationship. Just tell me what that guy said to you."
"I do not know what problem you two have with each other, but it should be enough for you to know that he did not say anything that concerns you."
His face made it very clear that he did not like that answer either.
"Believe me, you do not want to test my patience, Duru."
I snapped back at him just as sharply.
"Why are you so curious anyway? Do I ask you what you are doing with number ninety?"
At the exact same moment, I realized what I had just said and cursed myself silently. What was my problem with keeping my mouth shut, seriously?
"Ninety? Who are you talking about?"
His curiosity was justified. I had no idea how to talk my way out of this, so I quickly turned to the window.
"My stomach feels awful. How much longer do we have?"
"We are almost there. But this topic is not over yet, Duru."
I did not answer and kept watching the view outside. A few minutes later, he parked the car in front of the bar and unbuckled his seat belt. I unfastened mine as well and grabbed the jacket from the back seat to put it on.
We got out of the car and walked up to the bar's entrance. While I was busy tugging the hem of my skirt down to make it look a bit longer, he was messing with his phone. I was not happy with the result, but there was nothing more I could do. I straightened up and took a deep breath to pull myself together. Right then, his hand closed around mine and I stared at Kerem in surprise. When I tried to pull my hand back, he did not let go. Instead, he laced our fingers together and tightened his grip, warning me in a serious tone.
"Do not forget that we are lovers, and stay as close to me as you can."
Then he held the door and waited for me to go in after him. I sighed helplessly and stepped inside, and the first thing that greeted me was a disgusting stench. My first reaction was to stop breathing through my nose. My stomach felt worse than ever.
The bar was even more crowded than before. Hand in hand, Kerem and I walked toward the counter. The hunter uncle, who had been listening to the customer in front of him with a bored expression, looked up and met my gaze. His initial surprise turned into a warm smile, and by the time we reached the counter, I was smiling back at him.
"Hello, Uncle."
"Welcome, my girl, but what are you two doing here?"
Without waiting for my answer, he frowned and turned to Kerem.
"You are too stubborn, son. You should not have brought a girl here, especially a pregnant girl."
Since he liked me more, I decided it would be better if I spoke.
"It is not his fault. Coming here was my idea."
The old man looked at me with an expression even more surprised than before. He was right. What sane woman would want to come to a place like this for no reason?
"What is going on?"
"Nothing bad, Uncle. I just wanted you to see that we made up." I sighed and lowered my head, then added in a softer voice. "You know our families do not know." Then I lifted my head and gave him a sad smile. "You are the only elder around who knows about us, so I wanted to share it with you."
The uncle returned my smile with a heartfelt one.
"I am very happy for you, my girl."
"By the way, it is a bit late, but my name is Duru, and my boyfriend's name is Kerem."
"Nice to meet you, kids. I am Mustafa."
We both shook his outstretched hand and Kerem gestured toward an empty bar stool.
"Sweetheart, you should not push yourself. Sit down."
I smiled at him and took a seat on the stool. He immediately took off his jacket and laid it over my legs. Then he leaned in to whisper in my ear.
"Your acting is definitely better than your nursing, sunshine. No wonder the poor man believed you so easily."
Even when he was complimenting me, the annoying jerk still had to sneak in a jab. I smiled sweetly and replied through gritted teeth.
"Thank you, darling."
Uncle Mustafa watched us fondly.
"Since you are my guests, tell me, what can I treat you to?" he asked.
This time Kerem answered.
"I do not mind anything, but the best choice for Duru is fruit juice."
Uncle Mustafa nodded and turned around to prepare the drinks. As he did, Kerem sat on the stool next to me and leaned closer.
"Wonderful. You are no better than me," I muttered under my breath.
He was about to say something with a grin when his expression suddenly changed at whatever he saw behind me. He slipped his arm around my shoulders and pulled me closer. I was about to turn around to see what was going on, but his tense voice stopped me.
"Do not take your eyes off me."
The owner of the bar eagerly set the drinks down in front of us. I thanked him politely and picked up my glass of juice. The very first sip made my stomach churn and rise to my throat. I instantly regretted not asking for plain water.
"So, when is the wedding, kids?"
I was still struggling to swallow the juice when his sudden question made me start coughing. Kerem laughed and patted my back. I shot him an angry look and turned back to my drink.
"If it were up to me, we would get married tomorrow, but we are still waiting for Duru to talk to her family, old man."
"You should not delay it any longer in your condition, Duru. If you tell your family exactly what you told me, I am sure they will forgive you."
I could not think of anything to say, so I forced a smile and took another reluctant sip. Even though I was trying to hide it, it must have been obvious from my face that something was wrong.
"Are you alright, sunshine?" His worried question made Uncle Mustafa panic as well.
"Duru, what is wrong? Did the juice upset your stomach?"
I pressed my lips together, put my hand over my stomach, and mumbled.
"It is alright. I am just a little nauseous, it will pass."
Even talking made my insides churn, so I silently cursed my own stupidity. This is what happens when you down every drink you see all night.
"Do not worry, it is not your fault, old man. Her stomach has been queasy over everything lately."
This one was clearly more than ready to be a father.
Someone from the tables called out to Uncle Mustafa. He signaled to the man to wait a second.
"You two enjoy yourselves," he said to us. Then he hesitated and looked at me again. After a moment, he took a key from his pocket and handed it to Kerem.
"Duru does not look well. Take her to my room so she can lie down for a while."
Kerem took the key and nodded, and the uncle went off to his drunk customer.
"Luck is on our side tonight, sunshine. Let us go."