1 1. The Day I Left

[•Nuri's POV•]

I have never kept a foot outside Kerala, and now look at me, gonna board a plane to Turkey!

It was a dream come true though my parents were quite worried. My father ran a lodge on the outskirts of Trivandrum which was fairly popular, and my mother helped him out, so did my little sister. God's own country was a popular tourist spot and I've had the chance to interact with so many foreigners, but my best friend was Fatoş. She was a lively businesswoman on a holiday. She chose to stay with us for over three months. At first, I envied her so much. She was the most ambitious and beautiful lady I have ever met. She said she was curious about India and soon we got along well. She even taught me a bit of Turkish over the months. She was well versed in English, Turkish, German, and Italian, and now, wanted to learn Malayalam.

I have always wanted to be a professional chef to help my parents run the lodge better, for they have done a lot for me. Fatoş encouraged me to fulfill my dreams, so did my grandmother. Fatoş said that there was a very good university there which taught gastronomy and fairly cheap. She said that if I'd go there, I'll surely get a fine job. My parents were reluctant at first but I somehow convinced them. They collected enough money for my two-year course and I would be staying with Fatoş! She said she would pay for my flight. I was so happy to have her. She was nearly thirty and I was three years younger but we were the best of friends.

I was very sad as well, I'd miss my family so much, thank god we have phones. I had packed everything and Fatoş had even promised to take me shopping when I get there. I had a solitary suitcase and my backpack though Fatoş had two suitcases and a purse. "You sure you want to go?" Asked my mom, "Mumma... You know I must" I said and hugged her tightly. She kissed my cheeks and forehead so did my father and grandmother. My sister, Ankita was also sad though she said, "Don't forget to bring me something, okay?" I laughed and hugged her too.

We reached the airport and after entering the plane, my heart started racing. I was so excited for my first flight. In fact, I was kinda scared. I looked all around the flight, it seemed compact, by then, the air hostess had started introducing herself and then talking about precautions and stuff. Fatoş seemed so placid. My eyes were wandering all over the place. There were so many unknown faces. I didn't know anything about flights and I was so nervous and excited, then Fatoş glanced at me and seeing me tense, she placed my hand on her palm and rubbed it softly. She was like my big sister and I soon felt calm. I leaned back and waited for take-off.

The take-off was fine but right after that, I felt so sleepy and the dull clouds helped me out. When I woke up, it was near 9 pm and I could see the moon bright and clear. It was so beautiful, I looked over at Fatoş, she was sleeping soundly, then I heard an announcement saying that we'll be landing shortly. We had reached Delhi and had taken the flight to somewhere in Syria and finally, we got on the flight to Istanbul from there. It was a long and tiring trip.

It was a Tuesday morning and we were late by almost a day. From Delhi to Syria, we experienced a lot of turbulence and hence had to fly slowly due to a thunderstorm. My course at the university starts after a week, it was astonishing to see your life change so drastically in front of your eyes, but I enjoyed every bit.

Fatoş hired a cab and we drove off to the city. It was fairly crowded but so beautiful and colorful. It was nothing like India. There's just so much pollution and dirt in Kerala that sometimes you feel so disgusted... but this place was so clear. Istanbul made me fall in love at first sight!

Fatoş lived in a pretty big house, she had such a big garden. The garden itself was double our house. It was stunning but I felt like I really couldn't accept it. "Wow!" I said pausing in front of the house, "It's so big" I exclaimed, "Come on in, I'll show you around" she said. She said she lived with her brother and mother, her father died when she was young. I was so overwhelmed by all that was happening, and I was so glad to have her as my friend, but living with her seemed a bit too much for me, "Fatoş, I'm sorry but I can't stay here" she paused and turned around, "Huh? What do you mean?" I went and stood near her, "Fatoş, you have done so much for me, and I appreciate you for it... But at least, I can try getting a place to stay" she placed her hand on my shoulder, "Is this one of those things where you never back off?" she asked, laughing. I nodded, "Alright, but... I'll help you search" and I agreed, hugging her.

The first day I was forced to stay with her. Her family was back by afternoon, they were kind but somehow seemed spoiled, like Fatoş. I slept for a long time again, the bed was so comfortable. I loved that place so much, I was worried I might change my mind. At night, we were browsing through the internet for apartments and hostels nearby. Soon Fatoş found just the perfect place. It was an apartment but the rooms were shared by a few people, two in my case. It was near her house and a bit farther away from the university, but I knew I could manage. It was decided that we would meet the landlady tomorrow morning and probably settle in then itself, but of all nights, this time I couldn't sleep well. Probably because I had slept all the way in the flight and all through the afternoon.

Then I decided to call mom again. "Hello, Mumma?" "Hello, Nuri?" "Yes mom, I am here, can you hear me?" "Yes yes, go on, did you find a new place to stay?" "Yeah, that's why I called, it's an apartment a bit far from the university but it's pretty near Fatoş's place... I'll just be sharing the place with two other girls. Fatoş called the landlady, she said so..." I could hear my mother take in a stressed breath like always, "I hope they are good" I heard her whisper from the other side, then she raised her voice, "You are fine right?" I chuckled, "I am very good Mumma" I replied, "Hmm... that's good" she said, I could feel her smile through the mobile phone. "Okay Mumma good night, it's already late, I have got a big day tomorrow, I am hanging up, love you" "Wait! wait! Why are you sleeping so early? It's just going to be 7:30 pm..." "Mumma, time runs differently here, you know. It's almost past ten" "Oh... Okay, good night... No, what do they say?... Ah! Iyi geceler!" I chuckled. My try at teaching her Turkish was at least successful till this level.