Marie.
~
We were at dinner, and Asin insisted on inviting my family as well.
I felt .. unbelievably happy.
As in, I was afraid to say or do anything.. fearing it might break this happiness.
But then Asin squeezed my hand, and all those fears disappeared.
" Family, I have something to announce now that we gathered. " He took the momentarily silence and stood up. " In front of God and you all .. my beloved ones. "
What is he doing?
With the man I can never tell.
" Son, you worrying me .. what's happening? "
His mother narrowed her eyes and nudged him.
" I suppose you noticed the increased criminal activity in our beloved city? Man in cars .. "
He waited for the tables to say their pieces before he continued.
" As you all understand.. my amaxophobia has been flaring up hearing such events.. I need some time... away from the city and such turbulent times. "
" Asin .. " His grandfather looked suspicious.
" .. you truly have those feelings or .. just wanting to get out of work Monday morning, perhaps? "
Asin was suspiciously silent.. Seemed he didn't even think of that..
" Dede .. what have I done to have you accused me in such a disgraceful way? "
Oliver was trying so hard to hide a smile he actually looked scary.
" I didn't mean it like this .. go on. "
He gambled but won that round.
" I need some time away.. as I said. I'm taking my wife and .. those two. " He pointed at Ayshe and Oliver. ".. for emotional support. "
" Let us remember.. " He cut off his brother. " ..that I didn't even have a honeymoon yet .. I'm honestly disappointed in you all .. but I figured you just love Yary more. "
It was lovely seeing his acting ability on display, but now, at least, I understood what he was going for.
We are going on a honeymoon.
" What are you talking about it was you who said ..
" Let us not got bogged down who said what mother! .. Unless you want me in some nut house, you let me leave.."
He sat down and looked ahead until they gave in.
Once a disturbing conversation with my own mother .. thinking amaxophobia was a deadly disease.. we were left alone.
" Man, the way you do things .. it's over the top. "
" They let us go, didn't they? .. Apologies that my own parents aren't new aged like Aunt Tilley. "
" Where are we going? " I asked.
" We heading off to the island of Mardin. Little rest will do us good .. "
Oliver looked grateful. I had a feeling he was planning something again.. I just hoped it was harmless.
But still.. a honeymoon.
He was right.. we deserved one.
——
Oliver.
~
I asked for help..
He delivered.
An island retreat for a few days. Away from the responsibilities and the city that was still on fire from last night.
I was packing at home and just finished letting Leyla and the crew away as well. Not surprisingly, the most disappointed turned out to be Kol.
We made him captain.. for the same virtues Metin and Kerem.. we were old friends.
Unfortunately, he pumped himself up for a weekend of work. Now it was a holiday for a while.
Asin called the council, Mr Unknown, to cancel the meeting. And Old Ivan.
That Mr. Unknown was a surprise.
He actually felt bad for cancelling the event and apologised, promised much better care in the future.
Hopefully, he can reach places we can only carefully avoid and find out something about these experimental measures they have been preparing.
On Mardin .. Just relax, and the moment will present itself. Naturally.
Hopefully, this trip will enable us with Ayshe.
~
I was picked up by Asin and the others with a bus that took us to the airport.
" What's up with the hats? " I asked.
" Asin said, it's the exclusive.. fashion this summer, and we need to stay ahead of it .. he was lying, wasn't he!? "
The reality landed slowly on Ayshe.. Marie was busy destroying her ridiculous feathered one on her husband.
" You play too much. "
" And you an old man at 19. " He countered.
" Anyway.. have you been? " asked Marie, fixing her hair.
" Mardin.. oh yes .. we used to come and go. it's hard to remember. "
Asin kept shaking his head, but I was a second late.
" I thought it was your first time? " Marie turned to her.
He shook his head, looking at me.
" So what .. been there a few times. But to be fair, I don't remember most places. "
" Is that you defence? "
" I don't believe I need one, dear. Can .. can we just relax and enjoy this time? " He grabbed her hands.
They were a regular comedic duo now.
Ayshe looked beautiful .. I mean, her hair was a little off, with the hat massacre but beautiful all the same.
" What time does the plane leave? "
" Pfft.. it leaves when we want it to my love, we can even fly it..on autopilot. " He added.
" Seriously? "
She did hear autopilot, right?
" You mad about the hat? " I asked Ayshe.
" .. He is so convincing sometimes. " She defended herself.
" I know .. Trust me. You guys can swim, right? " I asked them.
They nodded, and I caught Asin smiling.
" Stop thinking.. things. " Marie hit him.
" I'm sorry... do I wear this as some sort of hobby? " He pointed at his wedding band.
" What is that mean? "
" It means not even you, my wife .. can stop me from .. fantasising about my wife. "
Hmm .. that made sense in a way. Marie didn't think so.
She went for his ear, but he doges with ease.
" You know you're a violinist.. stop trying to act like you have any fighting strength. " He laughed.
..
Soon, we were at the airport and gone through customs. The girls saw a few things they needed for the flight, and we were left outside the store.
" You feeling good? " He asked.
" Stop asking that .. "
" Calm down champion, you and I both want to cross milestones during this trip. "
I looked at him, raising an eyebrow.
" Stop looking at me like that .. but may I remind you that my wife is 21 years of age.. also, Ayshe is 2 years your senior. "
He lifted his arms towards the sky as if it were out of his hands.
It was true, right? I often forget how they are older. I suppose his perverted thoughts might not be baseless.
" Anyway.. we spend some time together after we arrive and before dinner me and Marie will split. I'm giving you two some much needed time together. "
Sounded simple enough.
——
Ayshe.
~
Haven't been on an island before.
Sounds romantic in a cheesy and inexperienced way.
Inexperienced.
I looked out the window as we made our turn towards the island of Mardin.
It's an island for the mega rich, the kind of place people pay an arm and a leg for a plot of land.
Obviously, the Martells had a similar mansion there, same as back home.
" .. He was a pussy. "
" Stop calling him that! "
Marie voice rang out the whole plane, they were discussing a popular book series and its protagonist.
" Oliver tell her! "
We were constantly put in the middle of their petty squabbling, foods, movies, their taste differed from each other in almost everything.
It was uncanny.
" I liked him fine .. he was a little passive...
" Beta.." Asin injected.
" .. BUT .. other virtuous such as loyalty, a level head, cautions in fights ..
At this point Asin was laughing his ass off and Oliver gave up.
" Don't bother with him .. barbarian. "
I personally agreed with Asin but didn't wanna pour oil onto the fire.
" This place is something.. even more beautiful than the pictures. " Marie took a look outside. " Which one is yours? "
Asin jumped over and pointed out our temporary residence.
" You been here before as well I assume? "
Oliver nodded and showed me some pictures of him and Asin wearing flower leis looking about 13 -15.
" We usually come at the end of the summer, stay at the beach.. sleep in the sands .. there's this festival..
" I know of course. "
I stopped remembering each August my friends and I dreaming to attend, the most famous celebrities and entertainment spend a week on a secluded island.
Sounded like a dream. Turns out they attended it each year.
" Let's gather ourselves people, I'm bone tired already arguing with this one here. "
Asin grabbed his bag and nodded towards my already annoyed sister.
The trip was off to a great start.
~
Mardin was more of a fever dream than I thought.
Their summer house was in the middle of the island and we walked past a multitude of nightclubs, shops and restaurants.
We routinely run into people from TV series or sport teams. People I used to search online or reading about their crazy habits or new crypto currency.
Something something coin.
" Can we say hi? Introduce me? "
Asin was constantly bombarded with questions like that every time someone waived at him from the people around us.
" .. I don't know him. People just wave here. " he shook his head.
" Do you guys know him? " I leaned over and asked Oliver.
" .. No. "
His casual way of saying no made me certain they did.
To be honest.. followed around by half a dozen bodyguards made us stand out.
" Why the excessive security.. I mean everywhere we go. "
" What do you mean? As in why protect someone they can ask for a country as ransome? "
He pointed at the man twirling my sister around.
Right .. a criminal crew in the right moment can make a fortune overnight.
A criminal crew. Ironic ..
Made me smile.
After seeing the size of the operation these two been running and the kind of money they made with it .. it was actually scary.
G.O.D been around for a while, making immediate fans with their flashy and often dangerous stunts edited and uploaded after every race.
Soon it was live streaming and live betting.
Then it really took off, bigger races and even guaranteed police chases.
They were new and exciting to watch and speculate over.
People payed 30 dollars for a pay per view fight between two human beings wearing gloves.
Now they were able to buy better entertainment and more frequently.
I looked at my brother in law .. and the man walking beside me.
They might look like teenagers but .. they were more like wolves wearing sheepskin.
——
We were greeted with an enthusiastic team of maids, cooks and even a butler.
The house was built modeling Greek architecture, those giant columns were actually statues holding the roof.
Incredibly detailed, down to the creases on their dresses.
" Welcome to the Karyai. "
I didn't understand what that mean but he went on as Asin and Marie were welcomed by the staff.
" Uncle Erwing loves Greek history. This house was copied after a temple in Greece. "
I don't think he understands how ridiculous some of the things he said.
After a few introductory questions we were led inside .. just as beautiful as the outside .. and futher outside to a garden.
" This is incredible.. "
We were looking over the island.
" Just wait until night .. than it becomes beautiful. See those coral reefs surrounding that closed bay? "
I followed his finger pointing at the colourful marine life.
" Well at night..
I let him tell me things I knew since I was 13. But he looked so happy doing so.
The place even had a gazebo nicely set up with patio furniture and some drinks.
We took a load off and enjoyed the sun and sounds people made from bellow.
The atmosphere and constant music ..
I exchanged a look with my sister.
We can make this work here.
——
Asin.
~
This place still carries the same magic. Even better now ..
Oliver and Ayshe were talking each others ears off since we got off the plane and Marie comfortably purring on my chest.
How peaceful.
It wasn't peaceful for on many occasions.
Now we can rewrite bad memories and to start..
" We going down for a swim inside the bay, than we can have dinner. Thought? "
" Do they still shoot that series here? About the mermaids? "
Marie was a true fan of TV .. she seemed to know all about these random shows and people.
" I.. I don't know.. " I smiled counting in my mind.
" You never watch things in your free time? " She sat up.
Here we go ..
" Not all of us have as much free time dear heart. "
" As in Mr masked driver mob boss doesn't have time for mundane things like .. normal life. My bad. " She tapped my knees.
" No .. I.. I .. a-alright now. You are right. "
She smiled and give a small kiss before taking her sister and went to tour the place.
" You okay? "
I was bitting my knuckle .. just hard enough to fit the situation.
" .. Marriage is a learning curve brother. " I have him my wisdom.
For a few minutes we sat there in silence enjoying the light breeze.
" Remember last we stayed in this house? "
I was hoping we can avoid this but he if he wanted to talk ..
" Yes .. you still think about that? "
He got up and sat closer.
" The situation is oddly similar.. we were just kids, before all the bad .. kids in love just like now ..
" Alright Oliver.. " I stood up taking my drink.
I didn't wanna relive old memories.. I didn't understand why he wanted it to.
Oli walked behind me.
" My bad .. just the place made me think. "
" I felt plenty of nostalgia .. we should've gone to the beach but after they heard we have a house here ..
" I know .. what do you say we find the girls? "
I let him lead me inside, let us not avoid this place anymore. We are here to stay for a few days.
But just like that.. the peace I felt was gone.
~
We spent the day swimming with Oliver while the girls shopping around town and getting autographs.
I told her the security is instructed to kill those who touched her .. or she touched in any way shape or form.
She looked happier than ever.
I wasn't kidding either. Sincerely hoped she takes it seriously.
" Marco Polo? " Oliver asked.
" You know I hate that .. "
" Right.. "
We were floating on top of the pool and listening to his creations featuring Marie and her violin.
Talked to my mother, let her known we arrived safe and sound. She was surprised we stayed at the house but I couldn't explain to her.
Oliver made a few calls to Leyla and Kol.
They were oddly similar in a way. As in didn't know what to do with themselves on their days off.
" .. we are staying until Thursday Leyla... do whatever you want. Not that, no .. "
I let my mind wonder about tonight and the kind of bikini Marie will wear.
Colour, shapes and styles were all very important questions.
" Oyy Leyla .. Who does volunteering on their days off? " asked Oliver.
" She is the devil .. "
" When are you going introduce Marie to the 9th and Old Ivan? " He splashed me.
" In time .. she is just settling in. I can't handle anymore of her questions. " I admitted.
She was unrelenting. Basically knew the machine..not the insides.
When I refused some questions, she wisely let it go.. but always found new ones.
I should get her friends from Konore moved up the capital and get some aspirins while at it.
They returned loaded with shopping bags and a bunch of nick nacks that made no logical reason to carry it unless someone signed it.
No one called me saying people died so that's good.
" This place is like circus! We saw BatBand performing in the middle of the square.."
I looked at Oliver but he didn't understood a word either ..
My wife was fan ..
This might trip me up this honeymoon.
——
Oliver.
~
Felt a little bad stealing some of Asin's good cheer.
Felt even worst I stole some of my own as well.
Couldn't help but reminded of our time here, 4 years seemed so much more, considering the change we both been through.
But mostly felt guilty. Looking back .. even then I could've said no ..
" Oliver? .. you okay? "
" Yeah .. just remembered last year's festival and the actual celebrities..not BatBand .. "
We were walking down towards the bay like so many others did after sunset.
The fluo corals made the scene already beautiful.. unearthly.
Asin was such fan we looked into buying the Island.
Turned out its more complex than we thought, owned by no less than two dozen cooperations each asking for the sun and the moon as payment.
Either way we managed to enjoy it since we were children.
Ayshe looked incredible tonight. Flowers were the theme and the sisters both nailed it.
Spending 3 hours getting ready sometimes worth the effort.
" BayBand is a well known.. social media boy band. " She finished unsure.
" That just makes it more sad, doesn't it? "
We shared a little laugh and she took my hand!
I felt great .. and immediately embarrassed.
Wake up Oliver. I can't let her taking the lead in everything.. she was older.. no! .. you are a man! Look at
Asin .. he is 6 months younger than you.. not to mention his wife who was almost 4 years older.
And looking at them walking arms locked, one couldn't tell such age difference.
I was having intense internal struggles about nonsense.
Marie was taking a peak and went into intense whispering with her husband.
" They breaking their backs .. for us getting together. "
My casual remark made her tumble. Just coming out swinging dear Ayshe..
" W-well .. Marie..
She was adorable but I couldn't tease her. Instead I let go of hand and put my arm around her.
" Let's make their job a little easier. What do you say? "
She smiled and took my fingers hanging aloof off her shoulders.
" Thought you never asked. "
I smiled gaining my confidence back. I even caught some random guys on my right giving me a few thumbs up.
Overthinking things is often a curse.
Just reach ..