“It’s been 7 years to my Parent’s divorce and Mom still miss my father but I don’t. There’s no point to miss him. He is happy with his new wife and kids. He doesn’t care about us. He doesn’t even know how are we doing but I know everything about him because my mom tells me. She all the time talks about him to me; she still loves him but I hate him. I hate all the men in the World. Men in my life are so disgusting, no matter if my father, my brother, or my boyfriend.”

                               _______________________________

It was 2:00 am. Ceyda was laying on her bed, staring at the moon from the window which opened in the wall in front of her bed. The room was too dark and the moon was looking brighter in the middle of the night. It was ending of May and she had her last exam in the morning. she was upset because she fought with her cousin who was her best friend. They both came together from Izmit to Ankara to study so that they can escape from their family drama. Elif wanted to visit her boyfriend who lives in Izmit but Ceyda was so done with her family that’s why she didn’t want to go with her. Her mom lives with her brother and her brother doesn’t even care about her and their mom. He just cares about his friend. His gangster friends. Sometimes she think that they were the reason why her brother was like that.  

 She couldn’t sleep the whole night, thinking about her life which was so miserable. She wanted to keep things normal but problems didn’t want to leave her alone. Suddenly, the alarm started ringing and it was 7:00 in the morning. She stood up in a rush and ran towards the bathroom. She hurriedly took shower and ran towards the kitchen where Elif was preparing breakfast for both of them.

She went near to dining table and said angrily in the Turkish language.

 “Oh my God!!!! I was about to miss my exam today. Why you didn’t wake me up? I have only 30 minutes now. I have to be as quick as flash.“

Elif didn’t say anything and kept cutting cucumber into slices. Ceyda went near to her and stood opposite the kitchen cabinet, next to her. She folded her hands and started starring at Elif.

 “You still mad at me?” – Ceyda asked her politely.

Elif gave her a look and again started cutting a cucumber.

“You’re getting late, please eat and leave.” – Elif said coldly.

Ceyda rolled her eyes grabbed an apple from the dining table and went to her bedroom. They were living in a flat which had a bedroom for both of us, a bathroom, a lounge with attached kitchen, T.V., sofa, and a dining table. She didn’t sleep last night which means Elif slept on the sofa in their lounge or maybe she didn’t sleep as well.

She put her books, wallet in her bag and opened the wardrobe. Meanwhile, she was eating an apple. Then she grabbed a white crop T-shirt and faded jeans. She changed her clothes, grabbed her bag, and ran towards the exit door.

She was tying my shoes and Elif came up. She lifted her head up towards Elif and then stoop up.

“I am leaving for Izmit today.” – Elif said rudely.

“See you. Then.” – Ceyda said and sighed.

“Are you sure, you’re not coming with me?” – her tone was still cold.

“I can travel the whole of Turkey with you but not Izmit. Good Bye Honey, I’m getting late. Have a safe journey.” – Ceyda said politely and left.

She hugged Elif and left the house immediately.

                              __________________________________

“Never discourage anyone who continually makes progress, no matter how slow.”-Plato

It was Sunday and Alejandro was reading one of his favorite books “The Republic Plato”. He yawned and closed the book it was already 11:00 pm and he was a morning person. He put the book on the shelf and went towards his bed. He was about to lay down but his phone started ringing. It was his dad, Antonio Francisco.

“Dad? You know that I sleep early. Don’t you?”- he attended his call and said sarcastically while laying on his bed.

“Come on Young man! You’re the only son of Mexico’s Biggest Gangster. We are the night owls.” – his father chuckled.

“I’m an early bird and I have a flight tomorrow.”- he said politely.

“Oh, my dear Son! You don’t have any idea how much I miss you. I can’t even wait for tomorrow. Why on earth you went to London instead of working as my right hand. “– his father said in a numb tone.

“Dad, you know that I don’t want to be a part of your business, and ever since mom passed away, I have not been able to live in Mexico.” – He exhaustedly replied.

“It’s been 4 years Alejandro Francisco; I didn’t even see your face. Your mom is no more but your dad is still alive.” – his father complaint.

“Then your wait is over Dad. See you tomorrow.” – he said sarcastically

“Mexico is waiting for you, my son.” – His father replied and they both laughed.

He hung up and closed the lamp but he couldn’t close his eyes. He left Mexico when his mother was brutally killed by his father’s rivals. 4 years back, that day was a nightmare for him. His father is a drug dealer and, on that day, He decided that he won’t follow his family’s business and will never do any bad deed. He applied to the London School of Economics and as soon as he got admission, he left Mexico but now after 4 years, He was going back. All haunted memories were revolving around his head. His childhood, Guns, Blood, his mother. He never wanted a life like that. He wanted to live like a normal boy, without protocol, without any fear of being spied, without death threads like all human beings He wanted to live happily but He doesn’t belong to a normal family and so as his life.

                          ____________________________________

Alejandro was sitting at Airport, waiting for his flight. It was 8 a.m. and he was reading a book as usual. His father thinks that he will not come back to London again but he doesn’t know that studies were just an excuse. Alejandro wanted to escape from that horrifying place but that’s his life and he cannot deny that he belongs to Mexican’s terrified under World.

                       ***Phone rings****

“Hello!” – Alejandro attended the phone call.

“Hey, my baby, do you have any idea how much I missed you? Those four years were like 40 years for me.” – A girl replied in a romantic tone.

“I’m sorry but who’s there?” – he asked curiously.

“Alejandro? Don’t you have my number? Didn’t you recognize my voice?” – she said angrily.

“Pardon but I have some stuff to do, can you tell me do I know you? I’m in a hurry now.” – he replied to get rid of her.

“Hold your horses, Alejandro. It’s me, Maria. Your Fiancée.” – Maria said in a dominant tone

“Oh, Oh! … How? Ahm... How did you get my number?” – he hesitantly asked.

Maria is Alejandro's fiancée. He got engaged when they were in their teens because their fathers were childhood friends and so-called “business partners”. He liked her … she was his best friend but he never had feelings for her and never will be… He knows him. When he left for London, he decided to vanish his old identity. He wanted to rebuild his personality and for this purpose, he begged his father… not to tell anyone about where he was headed to. 

“Are you for real? You didn’t try to contact me in these four years, you hid, you disappeared and now instead of apologizing… You’re asking me how did I get your number? What’s wrong…” – she angrily said

 “Heyyy…! Do you know, I’m just 11 hours away from being in Mexico? With You? With family? Right?... Now, wait for me. I’m just coming. Bye.” – he interrupted her and hung up.

                             _________________________________

It was mid of Ceyda's tiring day. She went straight to the restaurant for work. She was a waitress at the most expensive restaurant in the city. She had been working since her high school because when her father left, her family needed money and her mom’s earning was not good enough for three of them… then she and her brother started working in Izmit, which is a small town of Turkey. Her brother worked in an automobile repairing shop and from there, he met with some disgusting people who made their lives a little bit more hell. She came to Ankara, the capital city of Turkey, and started working here as well.

She has been in Ankara for two years and so as in that restaurant. Her colleagues, her bosses, and her customers loved her and She was happily working there and everything about that restaurant made her feel less miserable except her ex-boyfriend Emre. They broke up a year ago because like other men, he never missed a chance to disappoint Ceyda… He thought that she was his private property… his puppet or whatnot. She hated being ruled in different stages of her life. she wanted to breathe freely once in her life where nobody could recognize her … she wanted to discover what she wanted in her life.

Ceyda was cleaning dishes when Rehan came towards her… she was also working as a waitress there.

“Honey, can you clean this glass for me?” – she said softly.

Ceyda smiled at her and said sarcastically - “How much you will pay for this?”.

“Okay, 10 million dollars”- she winked.

They both started laughing together. Rehan was one of Ceyda'ss sweetest friends, she was the most lively and energetic girl… They studied at the same university but Ceyda didn’t know that she worked here as well. She didn’t like Rehan back then when she was only her class fellow but here when Ceyda got to know that she is a pure soul, She started admiring Rehan too much.

“So, what’s your plan now?” – Rehan asked while controlling her laugh.

Ceyda smiled a little and continued washing the glass.

“Where is Elif”? – she asked and this time in a serious tone.

“I don’t know, somewhere in the World, on her way to Izmit.” – Ceya sighed and handed over the glass to her.

She looked at the glass for a second then held it and again looked at Ceyda's face curiously as she was waiting for Ceyda to continue. Ceyda moved towards the sink to grab the towel on the wall.

“I cannot go, I am working Rehan, I need money.” – Ceyda said sadly and dried her hands from the towel.

“He is with Ezgi, nowadays.” – she sat on the chair near the table where she put the glass and cupped her faced.

Ceyda started removing her apron and asked,

“Who?”

“Emre” – she said then sat straight.

“Look, Rehan. I don’t care about him and whatever is he doing, I already have so many things to deal with and I don’t want to … Ugh. Forget about it.” – Ceyda said in an irritated tone and packed her bag for leaving.      

“You need a break babe, think about it.” – Rehan advised.

“Thank you, I will think about it.” – Ceyda pinched her nose and waved her hand… Rehan smiled and waved back.

Ceyda left the kitchen and walked towards the exit door at the back of the restaurant which was for workers. It was around 11 p.m. and almost everyone left. As she stepped out from the door, her face turned to her right unintentionally and her heart just stopped for a sec…Yes it was him

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