Same, same but different!

Part 17

Kıvılcım: This number has been calling me for a few days now.

Ömer: You haven't answered it?

Kıvılcım: I have but every time I do, the person puts the call.

Ömer gets concerned.

Ömer: Answer, let's see if it will happen again.

Kıvılcım: (answers) Alo, (she can hear breathing) if you don't talk now, I'll block this number.

Lady: (her voice is trembling) I never wanted to do this… but I have no one else. Please, don’t hang up. It's about your husband, Aslan.

Kıvılcım froze, the world around her seemed to still.

Her fingers tightened around the phone as her pulse began to thrum in her ears.

Kıvılcım: (barely a whisper) Who are you?

Lady: (her voice unsteady, emotional) Please… just listen to me. I didn’t know who else to call. My name is Selin.

Kıvılcım blinked, confusion tightening in her chest.

Kıvılcım: I don’t understand.

There was a pause on the other end. The woman’s breathing was shaky, almost as if she was trying to find the courage to speak.

Selin: Because… because I can’t hide it anymore. I have a son. He’s 10 years old, (her voice cracked) he’s Aslan’s son.

The words hit Kıvılcım like a slap. For a moment, she couldn’t move, couldn’t think. Her mind tried to catch up with what she just heard.

Kıvılcım: (coldly) I’m sorry, what did you just say?

Selin: I never wanted to do this, I promise. What happened between me and Aslan was a complete mistake. We couldn't even remember what happened that night. It was a mistake, please listen to me, I thought I could raise him on my own, but I can’t anymore. I need help.

Her voice broke completely on that last word.

Kıvılcım’s hands trembled. She could feel Ömer’s gaze on her, worried, searching her face. She turned slightly away, trying to breathe, but her chest felt constricted.

Kıvılcım: (sharply) This isn’t funny. If this is some kind of cruel joke...

Selin: It’s not a joke! I have proof. Aslan made me take a test. I only have one photo of them together. I never wanted to hurt you. I have suffered with this betrayal for years but my son didn't ask for this.

Tears burned Kıvılcım’s eyes before she could stop them. She immediately put the phone down.

Ömer took a careful moved closer.

Ömer: (softly) Kıvılcım? What’s going on?

She didn’t answer immediately.

Kıvılcım lowered the phone slowly, her expression somewhere between disbelief and devastation.

Ömer: (concerned) Talk to me. Who was that?

She turned to him, her voice trembling despite her best effort to stay composed.

Kıvılcım: (hoarse whisper) She said… she has a child. Aslan’s child.

Ömer’s face darkened with shock, confusion, and something protective all at once. He reached for her hand, but she stepped back, dazed.

Kıvılcım: (shaking her head) No… no, it can’t be true. He would’ve told me. He would’ve told me. Ömer, I need to go.

Kıvılcım started gathering her things, but Ömer grabbed her arm.