Aylin and I stifled our laughter while Kerem watched his friend's misery with an amused expression. Demir wearily tried to convince Ece that there was nothing suspicious going on, but judging by the horrific volume of her voice still echoing from the phone, she wasn't about to fall for his lies this time.
I felt a little sorry for him—but not enough to stop laughing. When Demir realized he had no other choice, he switched to a video call and showed Kerem first, then Aylin and me. The girl stopped yelling, but it was obvious that our presence made her uncomfortable.
After finally managing to end the call and shove his phone into his pocket, Demir let out a loud breath and rubbed his temples. The guy was right. If I were exposed to that tone for that long, I'd have a headache too.
"I'm done, man. I swear! For a week straight, she hasn't let me breathe!"
"You brought this on yourself, dude. Should've handled it better from the start."
"As if that starfish doesn't already nag me enough, don't start too," Demir snapped.
At his Bora reference, I remembered our sweet couple and turned to Kerem curiously.
"Seriously, why didn't Bora and Nil come tonight?"
"They wanted to, but I didn't let them. Today's their anniversary." When Aylin and I sighed and smiled, Demir's grumble followed.
"That guy manages to be every girl's favorite even when he's not here. Damn it."
"Don't be jealous, Biggy. If you were as sweet and romantic as Bora, we'd adore you just as much."
"I wouldn't expect that kind of romance from someone who once put sleeping pills in juice so his girlfriend wouldn't disturb him while gaming, Sunshine."
Aylin and I stared at Demir in shock as he shot Kerem a dirty look and stood up.
"Are you ever going to let that go?" Then he turned to us. "And stop looking at me like that. I was sixteen back then. She refused to go home—I had no choice."
"God damn it, Demir! What kind of sick person are you?"
"What was I supposed to do? There was a signed basketball in it!" His serious defense made me burst out laughing as I shook my head.
"You're unbelievable, Biggy. Did you at least get the ball?"
He winked smugly. "Of course I did, Red."
Then he turned to Aylin. "Come on, Jigglypuff. Let's go. I have class tomorrow morning."
"Same here," Aylin said, grabbing her bag as they headed for the door together. Kerem and I followed them to see them off. At the door, as Aylin put on her shoes, she turned to me again.
"Are you coming to class? Should I sign for you?"
"No need, Teresa. Since I don't have a morning class, I'll go home, take a shower, change, and come to the afternoon lecture."
"Demir, you sign for me. I'll come with Duru in the afternoon."
"Alright."
After they left, we went back to the living room and sat on the three-seater couch. Noticing Kerem staring thoughtfully at the file on the coffee table, I placed my hand on his arm.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine."
The short, flat, emotionless answer he gave without looking at me made me pull my hand back. I turned slightly toward him.
"Kerem… I can't say I understand what you're going through, because I haven't lived any of it, but if you want to talk—"
He sighed and turned to me.
"Duru…"
"I know, I know. I won't give you macho support speeches like Demir, I won't try to cheer you up like Bora, and I definitely can't read your thoughts from a single glance like Rüzgar can, but… what I mean is, even if I can't replace your friends, you can use my shoulder if you need it, Hotshot. And unlike you, I won't expect anything in return."
When I lightly patted my shoulder with a small smile, he laughed and turned fully toward me.
"Do you want to know what I really need right now, Sunshine?"
Seeing the mischievous glint in his eyes, I raised a brow and spoke hesitantly.
"I don't know, Hotshot. Do I?"
He laughed again and opened his arms. Tilting my head slightly, I tried to figure out whether he was serious. Judging by the sincere smile on his face, he was. After a few seconds of thought, I shrugged and stepped into his arms.
If it would truly make him feel better, why not? After all, all he wanted was a simple, friendly hug.
Unlike my loose hold, his arms wrapped tightly around me, pulling me firmly against his chest. Afraid he'd notice my heart starting to race, I tried to pull back, but he didn't let me.
"Stay like this."
His low voice and the warmth radiating from his body felt so good that I couldn't find the strength to resist. Feeling the tense muscles beneath my hands slowly relax, I sighed and hugged him a little tighter.
I knew we weren't feeling the same thing. But being like this allowed him to relax, and allowed me—if only briefly—to savor the happiness of being in the arms of the man I was in love with. Just this once, I decided not to think about what came after and simply live in the moment.
As I slowly stroked his back, I heard his deep sigh and couldn't stop myself from smiling. Knowing I was helping him feel better pleased me more than I wanted to admit. When he guided us to lean back against the couch, I lifted my head from his neck and rested it against his chest, placing my hands near my face.
Listening to the strong, steady heartbeat beneath my head felt more peaceful than anywhere I'd ever been, and the powerful arms around me made me feel safe.
"Do you know what I've realized, Sunshine?"
"What?"
"I like holding you like this. It makes me feel like I can protect you, even when there's nothing around that could hurt you."
I closed my eyes and sighed quietly. Did he have any idea how much that affected me—and how it made me hope for things I shouldn't?
"Kerem…"
"By the way, you still haven't answered my question, Sunshine." He pulled back just enough to see my face, and I frowned slightly.
"What question?"