Same, same but different!

Part 19

Kıvılcım became impatient.

Kıvılcım: Just tell me how my husband was involved!

Selin jumped at Kıvılcım's voice suddenly rising, as well as Ömer who sat beside her.

Ömer: Kıvılcım calm down... (he looked at Selin) continue please.

Selin: Your husband was there, seated next to me at the bar and he was already drunk. He started talking, asked me if I wanted to talk because it's better to talk or let someone in, and to not carry my burden alone.

Kıvılcım and Selin made eye contact. Tears welling up in both Selin and Kıvılcım's eyes.

Selin: We kept talking and talking. I told him he shouldn't drive drunk, so he got a hotel room. Our hotel rooms ended up being next to each other... (Selin bowed her head and started fidgeting with her hands) one thing let to another...

The words hung in the air sharp, unyielding.

Selin looked up at Kıvılcım again.

Selin: I left before he woke up. When I saw your name that morning... Ringing on his phone "karım", I left immediately. I only saw him again when I got pregnant and didn't know what to do.

Kıvılcım couldn't stop the tears running down her face. Ömer seeing this, placed his hand on her thigh in a way to comfort her.

Kıvılcım: What do you want from me?

Selin's tears start running down her face.

Selin: A way out...

She tilded her head to the side.

Kıvılcım: What?

Selin: My son and I need to escape my husband. He-he... He was only beating me but now he started raising his hands at my son and I can't have that. I've tried to leave for years but he always finds us...

Kıvılcım: Does he know?

Selin became fidgety again.

Selin: If he knew, both my child and I would be dead.

Kıvılcım: How do I know you're not lying?

Selin lifted her sleeve to show Ömer and Kıvılcım the bruises on her arm. Ömer started to clenching his fist. Then she reached into her bag, took out a picture and slide it towards Kıvılcım. When Kıvılcım looked at it, she saw Aslan holding a baby in his arms. Her hands shook and her tears stopped. She looked harshly at Selin.

Kıvılcım: When did it happen?

Selin: February 15

Kıvılcım’s breath hitched, and the world seemed to still. For a long time, the only sound was the faint clatter of dishes and talking of tables near them.

She got up and left, without saying a word.

Ömer: Kıvılcım where are you going...? (Ömer quickly got up and took out a business card. He looked at Selin) Call that number, we'll try to help you but we need a paternity test.

Selin shook her head yes and Ömer ran out to Kıvılcım.

Ömer found her standing beside the car, one hand gripping the door handle, the other trembling uncontrollably. Her chest was rising too fast, too shallow, as if the air itself refused her.

Ömer: Kıvılcım… hey… look at me.
(He gently holds her shoulders.)
Breathe. Just breathe.

She shook her head, unable to meet his eyes. Tears streamed silently  not the sharp, angry tears she had inside the café, but the kind that come after a wound is ripped open from the inside.