2. Introductions

[•Nuri's POV•]

We left early without eating breakfast, Fatoş took her car and we drove off. We stopped in front of one of the cutest apartments, it was so adorable. "Come on" she said and lead me into the building, there seemed to be very few floors. A lady was sitting on the stairs, she got up when she saw us, "Miss Fatoş! I was expecting you" and they kissed each other's cheeks. "Selam! I am Iqbal, it's very nice to meet you" and she came forward to kiss my cheeks but I didn't like the idea of it. I don't wanna let a stranger kiss my cheeks. She tried harder, till I leaned really back and spoke, "Hi... I am Nuri and I prefer you not kissing my cheeks" and I greeted her with a namaste. I guess I was being a bit rude for Fatoş nudged me after that.

Miss Iqbal lead us upstairs and knocked on one of the doors. A very tall and beautiful girl with blue eyes opened the door. "Merhaba! Miss Iqbal, are these the new tenants?" She asked, "Good Morning Yeşim! Yes, this is the girl" and she introduced me, I waved a small hi. "Hello, I am Yeşim, it's very nice to meet you" and even she came forward to kiss my cheeks but then Miss Iqbal nudged her and whispered that I didn't like kisses. What an admirable first impression...

After leaving us in the care of Yeşim, Miss Iqbal had to go to Göcek. Yeşim seemed like a very lively and friendly girl and I knew we would become good friends. She showed us my room which was unused for a few months. It was recently dusted, I could tell. Then I and Fatoş went downstairs to take my suitcase from the car. She was silent the whole time. After I placed that suitcase in my room, I had to say goodbye to her as she had to go to work today.

We were standing near the car, "Did you like it here?" "It's very beautiful!" I said, she laughed. Suddenly I remembered something, "Fatoş, I forgot to pay the rent!" I exclaimed in horror, she burst into laughter. "Wow, Nuri! You are thinking about that now?" I was so confused and how could she laugh like this? She slowly began to calm down and spoke softly, "Don't worry, I have paid it for three months, also take this" and she handed me a handsome sum of Turkish lira. I was stunned, "But... But..." I mumbled, "No more buts. This is for your additional expenses. Use it wisely, I will miss you, sister!" And she hugged me tightly, I hugged her back whispering in her ear, "Thank you for everything you've done. Thankyou so much" and I held onto her tightly, till slowly we had to part ways. We promised to call each other at least once in two days, for she was going to be very busy.

I headed back upstairs and Yeşim greeted me. "I was watching from the balcony, you two seem pretty close... But don't worry, you'll see each other at least once a week. Also, I have wanted to ask you for a long time, are you hungry?" I laughed, "As a wolf" "Alright! I'll bring you my babies" and she went into the kitchen and I stood near her watching her work. "So tell me, where you from and where you headed?" I chuckled, "Do you always talk like this, so comic?" "Everybody I have met has asked me the same, so probably it's a yes" and she placed my breakfast on top of the table, "Enjoy your meal!" "Thank you" I replied.

She sat opposite me, waiting to hear my story impatiently and I told her about my hometown and my dream and she said that I would surely succeed. Then I asked about her, she said that her dream is to be a professional photographer, pretty intense. She was also interested in books, so she is currently in a university as she got a scholarship for literature. In between that, she takes photography classes and also loves to travel, but still, Istanbul is her favorite place on the map. I asked her about the other person who will be staying with us, "Ah! Yes, Deren. I forgot to tell you about her. She isn't that talkative, but if you get to know past her hard exterior, you will realize that she is a diamond in the rough" And Yeşim laughed.

Yeşim was beautiful, funny, and friendly though she seemed to have her head in the clouds most of the time, very similar to mine. "So... When does your course start?" "Next week" I replied, drinking tea. "Have you been around town?" I shook my head in objection, "No.. but if I will get such a tea every day, then I prefer staying here" Yeşim laughed. "Tamam... Then let's go out. I'll show you around... Oh! Let's go to Deren's bar. Yes, that would be perfect!" "Deren owns a bar?" I was shocked. "Yok yok... She works there. She sings sometimes and sometimes becomes the bartender or even the waitress. She has a beautiful voice."

Yeşim and Deren seem like such talented artists and between them, I am there as a striving chef. I finished my breakfast and got ready quickly, wearing my regular pants and top. Yeşim looked at me and asked, "Are you gonna wear that?" "Why? Is it bad" I asked spinning. "Don't you have any gowns?" I stared at her blankly. "Let me check your clothes" and she started shuffling through my suitcase... "Allah Allah! What is this?" She asked throwing out my stuff one by one, "Where's your makeup, and gowns, and crop tops? There is nothing here but single cloths, deodorant, some powder, pajamas... And what is this?" She asked lifting my solitary sari... I got kinda irritated but I didn't show much... I hope. "That's... Uh... My sari..." "It looks really beautiful but no offense, you have never gone shopping have you?"

I didn't have much of a reply. "These clothes are better" and she dragged me out with me wearing my regular pants and top. It was so much fun hanging out with Yeşim. She was so funny and seemed to have not a care in the world. I liked her for she was very open, no lies also I think she behaved more like a mother with me than a friend still, I grew very fond of her in a single day.

We went shopping, we went to bakeries and even had lunch. After that, we went to a really awesome amusement park. It was so much fun! I had been to local fairs and all but this was something else. We finally went back home chewing on cotton candy. I settled on the couch as soon as we entered. I took the shopping bags inside though most of them were Yeşim's. My definition of shopping was buying more pants and tops. I also bought a really cute bracelet and hair accessories too.

"Uff ya! We forgot to go to the bar... Deren will be so mad, let's go now" I was so tired but I didn't want to make her upset, still the idea of wandering in a bar at this time of the day seemed odd and toxic somehow.