Chapter 66

New job

The sun has cast its warm yellow light above Earth, waking up the birds and causing sunflowers to lift their heads towards the sky. Slowly, life started buzzing around Oriental once again.

He was wide awake when the sun rays hit the window because he hadn't slept at all. The enchantress resting on his chest had stolen his sleep away. Worried that she might leave him, he stayed up all night, gazing at her, placing his finger beneath her nose, checking if she was breathing. Sometimes his mind played tricks on him, making her seem breathless or unmoving.

As soon as he noticed her stirring and stretching, "waking him up," he couldn't help but touch her face. She opened her eyes and met his deep, captivating gaze, like a serene lake. His eyes spoke volumes of apology, shining brighter than a million gifts.

Her soul was pulled into the depths of his eyes, and she willingly let herself go. He moved his hand from her cheek to her lower back, sending a shiver through her body, as the cool air separated them, revealing the most beautiful picture of her.

He read her body like an open book and followed her unspoken desires like a devoted servant.

The silence between them was broken by the sound of their passion—their moans and groans. 

Afterwards, he wiped the fog from the mirror, reminiscing about her peaceful sleep on his chest and their steamy encounter that had carried on until the bathroom filled with mist.

He emerged from the bathroom, covering himself with a towel, while she ended the call and returned to the room. 

"Are you trying to hide what is rightfully mine?" Her sensual voice seduced his ears as she tiptoed over to him, but then halted when she caught sight of his back reflection in the mirror.

"I don't hide anything from you," he said, dropping the towel and spinning around, proudly displaying himself like a gift.

"You hide from me. You hide that kiss and those marks…" He stood before her, naked, cupping her face, and planted a kiss on her forehead.

"That kiss meant nothing to me. These marks mean nothing compared to the pain I feel for every tear I've made you shed," he confessed.

She removed his hands from her face, and a chilly distance formed between them. The wicked glare in her eyes could freeze anyone in their tracks, ending up trapping his soul between life and death.

"Last night, I spoke through my sobs, and maybe you didn't take it seriously, but Sinbad, I swear on my heart that I love you like I have never loved before. If I hear or find out that you dare to betray me by touching or kissing another woman the way you do with me, I won't wait for you to explain. I will put a bullet through your forehead without caring if I spend my life in prison.

This oath holds true from this moment until my last breath in this life and in every lifetime we may have together."

Her devilish demeanor transformed into her usual self. He inwardly smiled with boundless happiness upon hearing her express her love in such an exuberant way. In fear of the consequences, he suppressed that wonderful feeling by embracing her tightly.

****

August came to an end, taking the green color along with it, but not their love, which seems to grow even more vibrant. Now that autumn is approaching with its earthy hues, their love may bear the first fruits of its harvest.

No need to search for months, Sibel found herself working as a music teacher at her son's school.

Let's just say that someone did something, and someone else paid for it, while another person asked for a favor and got a vacant spot.

Oh, don't worry, the previous teacher is doing well with a generous paycheck and a new job in Rome. Yes, you guessed it right, they switched places.

As soon as the new school year began, Sibel was ready to leave the house with her handbag and sheet music file in hand.

"Aren't you forgetting something, miss?" His playful voice came from the kitchen door.

"No, I've done everything this time. I even wore two pairs of underwear, tied my shoes, and secured my belt. Everything is in this file, and I have everything I need in my bag."

"Alright then," he sounded disappointed.

She placed her hand on the doorknob, bit her lower lip, took a deep breath, and turned around to find him.

"I love you, Sinbad. Trust me, I want to kiss you too, but you know, big guy, if I do, there's a high probability that I'll end up going to school at noon. So I'll go without further touching you."

"If you're planning to walk, you'll still be late by midday because you forgot your car keys on the breakfast table." He playfully waved her keys in the air, trying to hold back his laughter and happiness after hearing her words.

Annoyed by his smart remarks, she snatched the car keys from his hand. "You bet I'll wipe that grin off your face when you beg for mercy tonight, love," she threatened, but quickly hurried to get inside the car and drive far away from him. Standing there could lead to a romantic reconciliation that she wanted to avoid.

Their troublemaker, Mert, just got out of bed as if Sinbad had to send him to school like Sinbad himself was Sinbad. Sibel, being a teacher, went first.

"I should've gone with Mom," Mert yawned at the breakfast table.

"Then you should've woken up earlier, sleepyhead," Sinbad replied, affectionately caressing his short hair. There was a hint of annoyance on his son's face, but Sinbad quickly gave him a kiss on top of his head.

***

In the school yard, Sibel felt a bit nervous as she was about to give piano lessons in her native language.

"Chill out, Sibel! You've got this, friend," Sanem cheered her up.

"Thank you, Sanem, for being such a great person," she gratefully hugged her, taking Sanem by surprise.

I forgot to mention something about Sanem. After extensive research and numerous scientific discoveries, a miracle happened, and Sanem was able to regain 60% of her hearing. Finally, she was able to leave home and start working as an administrator in the school, where Sibel would soon start teaching. It was Sanem who informed her about Sinbad's scars that morning, revealing more about his deep-seated guilt.

While the two friends chatted about the upcoming events, Mert sat in the back seat as he always did. 

Sinbad noticed his somber expression and was about to ask him what was wrong when the ringtone interrupted him. It was Hakan, asking Sinbad to pick him up from the mechanic workshop. Even Hakan's presence couldn't change Mert's thoughtful look.

"Mert, what's going on?" his father asked, now genuinely worried about his unusual silence in Hakan's presence.

The boy looked out the window, knowing that his father's eyes were on him more than on the road. A sinister smile spread across Mert's face, something that didn't go unnoticed by Hakan, who was ready for anything.

The car came to a halt as they reached their destination.

"I was just thinking, Dad, how much longer do you need to give me a sibling? You've been at it day and night for two months and still nothing," Mert said, meeting his father's angry gaze before quickly exiting the car.

Sinbad was determined not to let his cub get away with it so easily this time.

"Leave it, man," Hakan's voice added fuel to his anger, barely containing his laughter.

Mert spotted his mom and immediately hugged her, seeking comfort in her arms. She could see an angry Sinbad approaching them.

"Mert," his harsh voice echoed, causing everyone to turn in its direction.

"Hey Sinbad, what's up?" Sibel holds the boy's hand as his father approaches.

"Looks like you went a little too far with your words, boy. I can't allow you to be so reckless and say whatever comes to your mind. It's one thing to not respect me, but you have to show respect to your mom, otherwise, I'll have to teach you a lesson."

"What's going on here?! I leave you two alone for a couple of hours and this is what happens?" Sibel was demanding an explanation from both of them.

"I just asked an innocent question and he is overreacting," the boy explained calmly.

"An innocent question, huh? Mert, you know very well that wasn't innocent at all," his father was furious with his casual way of disrespecting those who deserve respect.

"Mom, I just said..."

"Mert, don't you dare..."

"Why not, Dad? I have the right to know the answer, and she has the right to know the problem."

"Let him speak, Sinbad."

Reluctantly, Sinbad agrees after hearing Sibel's request.

"I just asked how many months I need to wait until you give me the good news of having a sibling," Mert played innocent as Sinbad was left speechless by his act.

From the look on Sinbad's face, she understood that wasn't the question that made him furious. The school bell rang, signaling for everyone to enter the building.

Mert quickly flees, leaving his parents alone.

"I'm sorry, Sibel. I thought I raised him right to be a responsible man but..."

"But it's okay, big man. He is a wonderful young man with the purest heart and a beautiful soul, and of course, he inherited the troublemaking attitude from me."

"Sibel, he keeps saying things that..."

"Because he wants you to come to me and complain about his actions, and also to see your cuteness when you're mad," she lightly pinched his cheeks.

How things have changed, his madness now looks cute. It's all about the circumstances, when he makes the same face as years ago, it has a different meaning in the present. Back then, she would call him an ugly man whenever he acted out in anger.

The schoolyard emptied out pretty quickly, and Sinbad scanned the area before grabbing her waist and pulling her in for a much-needed kiss.

She didn't protest and instead wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him back with all her heart.

"Ahem. Ahem. Ahem." Someone cleared their throat nearby, causing both of them to quickly stop.

"Zara," Sibel startled, seeing the woman covered in a black coat with her hair hidden inside a blue hijab. From her intense gaze, Sibel could tell she was angry.

"Miss Sibel Kara, this is an educational place where we teach boys and girls proper conduct in public. I've read your file, and it states that you're an unmarried woman, a single mom in a relationship. So he is your lover, not your husband, as per the record. And this isn't Rome, miss, this is the Orient, and couples should keep their affection inside their home.

This may be the last time I warn you, unless you don't want to provide your skills for our students. Now say goodbye to your lover and return to class."

Sibel didn't add anything and didn't let Sinbad intervene either. After all, Zara was right. Sibel unwillingly left his side and went back to class.

Zara, the director of the school, may be in her late twenties, but she has earned respect through hard work and studying. Despite being a covered Muslim woman, she doesn't let it shape her attitude. She is a stickler for rules and will punish anyone who breaks them.

***