CHAPTER NINETEEN
"No, why? Why do you ask?" Israr repeated, looking caught off guard.
"You've been lost in thought for a while now... I'm guessing it has to do with that party and that girl!"
Israr clearly hadn't expected me to be so observant. He looked flustered. "How do you know about her? No, that's not it!"
I laughed softly, leaning in so only we could hear. "Don't worry, I'm good at keeping secrets. Besides, you can share your troubles with me; maybe I can help."
"I'll tell you, but not here," he whispered, his voice heavy. "It's not as simple as you think. I'm drowning in it, I swear."
"Whenever you're ready, I'm here. I still remember how you've helped me."
A gentle smile spread across Israr's face—a look of genuine gratitude. For a moment, I completely forgot about Ryan, Anna, and Isar, as if they didn't even exist.
Meanwhile, Anna wouldn't let go of Ryan's hand for a second, clinging to him like a leech. Can a girl really be this shameless? I wondered. Then I felt a sharp, irritated gaze on me. It was Ryan. I tried to ask him with my eyes why he looked so grumpy, but he looked away, avoiding my stare.
"Girl!" Anna called out. "Could you give me my cup?"
Oh God, grant me patience! I thought. Are your hands broken? Can't you pick up a cup from the table yourself? I started to stand up, but Ryan beat me to it. He untangled Anna's arm from his—not very gently—and handed her the cup himself.
"Anna, this girl has a name. It's Yas. Don't act like that again. We are all healthy people; we can do our own tasks."
Anna looked stunned, as if a bucket of ice water had been dumped on her. "But... I didn't mean anything..."
"Fine. But let's not have it happen again. Anyway, I'm tired. I'm going to sleep."
"Lala, I brought the tablets you asked for. They're in your room," Israr added.
"Bless you, Israr. And don't leave the salon like this; take these things back to the kitchen. Yas... bring me some water. Goodnight."
Everyone exchanged goodnights, but Anna remained motionless, staring at Ryan in disbelief. Her eyes looked ready to overflow. If she isn't crying, what is that colorless shimmer in her eyes?
Ryan left, and I began gathering the cups and sweets.
"Didn't you hear my Lala?" Isar said, surprisingly helpful. "Go take him the water. We'll finish up here."
I didn't expect such kindness from the "Camel without a hump." "Alright... goodnight."
I hadn't gone two steps when Anna's voice, dripping with visible hatred, stopped me. "You're having a lot of fun, aren't you? How did you capture Ryan? What spell are you using, huh?"
Israr and Isar both shouted in shock, "Anna!"
"Am I lying?" she snapped. "What does this girl have that all three of you defend her? Why don't you remind her of her real place? She is nothing more than a servant. A servant, no matter what, is still just a servant!"
I had no desire to argue with the golden-haired girl. Without a word, I went to the kitchen, grabbed a glass of water, and headed to the second floor. Before entering, I pushed away my negative feelings and let my mother's words ring in my ears: Don't count on Ryan so much.
I knocked and entered. Ryan was sitting on the edge of the bed, his head clutched between his hands, eyes tightly shut. He looked like he was struggling with intense pain.
"Ryan, do you have a headache?"
He snapped upright and forced a smile. "No... no, I'm great. Come, sit here."
"Then why were you clutching your head like that?"
"Oh, that... it's just a habit. Why do you ask so many questions, Yas?"
I walked over and set the water on the table. "Here's your water. If you need anything else, call me."
"If you aren't going to sleep yet, stay here a while..."
"Weren't you tired? Take your tablet and sleep. You look distressed."
"Distressed? No, I'm perfectly fine. Just stay."
I looked at him with a skeptical, toothy grin. "Let me see... do you have a fever? I think you've mistaken me for someone else. I'm not medicine; your health shouldn't depend on whether I'm here or not."
"Check for yourself. Do I have a fever?"
Curious, I placed my hand on his forehead. No fever. "Nope, you're fine."
"Then don't treat my words like delirium. I'm not a drunkard, Yas."
As I listened to him, I caught myself studying his features. Can a man really be this flawless? Even the most ordinary words sounded charming when he spoke them. Truly, he was built for poetry.
"Are you listening to me?"
"Yes, yes, I'm listening."
"Then what are you thinking about?"
Should I tell him I was dissecting him under my microscopic gaze? I have to confess, his messy, uncombed hair only made him more attractive. My hand moved instinctively toward those dark locks, getting lost in the "black forest" of his hair. My fingers enjoyed the playfulness of it.
"Can't you give your hair to me?" I teased. "Look, it's far too much for you."
Ryan stared at me, paralyzed, as if something monumental had happened or I had committed a grave sin.
"Look, my hair is never this beautiful," I continued, pulling my scarf back slightly to show him. "It's not black and wavy like yours, nor golden and silky like Anna's. It feels like it never grows. I cut it two months ago and it's still the same... Hey! Why are you sitting there like a statue? Ryan?"
The corner of Ryan's mouth twitched into a smirk. He slowly slid his fingers through my hair.
"Only a jeweler knows the value of gold," he whispered. "Your hair is like threads of precious gold, beautiful. Never compare yourself to anyone else... look how a beautiful scent has filled the room..."
He leaned in slowly, drawing the scent of my hair deep into his lungs.
A moment later, I burst into laughter. Instead of feeling awkward, Ryan's actions made me laugh. To be honest, I never felt awkward around him; I felt he belonged to me.
"Hahaha! Naneh Jan, have some shame! These poetic descriptions are for a sister-in-law, not me!"
Ryan's face darkened instantly. "Yas, if you keep bothering me, I'll punish you with the thing you love most. Do you know what I mean?"
"Oh? When did I bother you? And how will you punish me? I know you can't hurt me, Naneh Jan!"
"I'll shave this hair off to the scalp. That's just a small example."
"Ryan, why are you talking nonsense? We're talking like two rational people—how is this bothering you? Why do you suddenly turn into a demon?"
"Am I your brother?" he growled. "What sister-in-law are you talking about?"
"Aren't you? Obviously, I'm talking about your future wife. If she isn't my sister-in-law, should I call her the 'Lady of the Palace'?"
Ryan squeezed his eyes shut and ran his hand through his hair in frustration. "Yas... Yas... I... am... not... your... brother! I never was, and I never will be!"
Irritated, I pulled his hand away from his hair. "You're acting like a teenager. Don't let me catch you torturing your hair like that again. God gives beauty to the strangest people."
"Don't change the subject," he snapped. "Say you understand. I am Ryan. Not your brother!"
I stared into his angry eyes, confused. Fine... if I say I understand, will you come out of this scary mood?
"You force me to lose my temper," he said, his voice strained. "Why are you so simple? Can't you understand me? Is it that hard?"
"I force you? What am I supposed to understand? You speak in a language only you know. First, I did nothing wrong. I don't know why you're so sensitive. Second, act your age. Just because you're older doesn't give you the right to punish me whenever you feel like it, Mr. Doctor!"
Ryan pointed a finger at himself in disbelief. "I punish you? And I don't understand why you keep bringing up this age gap in every argument."
"Ryan, stop it. Look, you have a headache. These confusing topics will only make it worse."
"No, I won't stop. Tell me honestly—do you enjoy torturing me?"
"Ryan!"
He was glaring at me with a look that was both terrifying and intense. I swear, I didn't know which word had set him off. Brother? But why?
"Can't we just talk once without a fight?" I asked softly. "If we can't, why do you call for me? If I'm torturing you, why do you let me in?"
Before he could answer, I took his hands in mine—they looked so small and fragile compared to his. They were cold and lifeless, like a frozen corpse.
"Ryan, is something wrong? Why are your hands so cold? Tell me which words you hate so much that they make you this temperamental. I won't say them again. I promise. Is that better?"
My gentleness worked. The rage left his face, replaced by a look of exhaustion. "A promise?"
"A promise."
"I... I... I'm sorry, Yas. Understand me. I'm very sensitive about certain things and I lose my temper quickly. I'm not well."
For the first time, a wave of deep affection washed over me. I didn't want to be stubborn or hurt him anymore. "I understand. But this much anger isn't good for you. I won't bother you anymore. I promise!"
Ryan looked at me deeply, then let out a soft laugh and shook his head.
"Can I go now? It's late, Naneh Jan."
"Go, you lovable mischief. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Fine, but please... don't wake me up early, okay?"
"Yes, Sir!"
"See how beautiful, dignified, and calm you look when you do as I wish? Very well. Go. Goodnight."
I left the room under Ryan's smiling gaze. As always, I retreated to my cold basement refuge. But its coldness was more comforting and reassuring than all the warmth around me. I wouldn't trade it for anything.
"Oh, Yas! This girl is driving me crazy! I swear, if I could, I'd rearrange her face!"
"Sophia, can you please stop whining?"
"Whining? You call my heartache 'whining'? Don't tell me you like her too..."
"Did I say that? Sophia, clean the glass properly—there's still a smudge right there!"...
END OF CHAPTER NINETEEN