"It's better to find a travelling partner." Deniz said while getting ready.
"Didn't you have one before?" Zara asked.
"Who?"
"Esmee?" Zara replied.
"Esmee was always busy with her shooting and furthermore she didn't like to travel."
"But everyone likes to travel"
"Anyone likes except celebrities. Esmee was not just my girlfriend, she's a famous star." Deniz told Zara.
"But you're also a star"
"I know." Deniz said haughtily. He lifted up the shirt collar. Zara laughed at him. She felt as she was lucky to be his partner. Deniz had the similar thoughts. He put a daring glimpse while smiling.
It was their fourth day in Spain and there were some places left in the list to visit. So, those travel buddies had decided to visit the 'Museo Nacional del Prado' on that summer day. They left the hotel and went straight to the museum which was one of the greatest art museums in the world. Zara loved the paintings there more than everything else. She walked in the entire hall while having a wonderful time. Deniz enjoyed her mischief without disturbing, he followed her as a loving husband. And he didn't forget to capture some of her photographs too. With her loose hair, she looked absolutely delightful.
At that time one guy came to Zara and hugged her behind. Both Zara and Deniz got excited seeing him.
"Noah! You" Zara happily embraced her childhood friend.
"Zara.. How are you?" Noah was excited too.
"Good. What about you?"
"I'm perfectly fine. What are you doing here alone?" Noah enquired.
"I came here with my husband" Zara showed him Deniz. Noah was amazed to hear that. He looked at Deniz with open mouth.
"You're Deniz right?" Noah was quite surprised seeing him. Deniz nodded his head.
"I'm Noah. Zara's best friend." Noah shook hand with him. Deniz did the same unwillingly.
"I thought Jade was Zara's best friend." Deniz said. Neither his look nor words were friendlier. He seemed quite awkward because of Noah. Deniz looked at his head to toe with an awful glance. Since Noah was a handsome, tall guy Deniz was fully confused. He thought, Noah's appearance suited with Zara's smiling face.
Zara and Noah didn't find him upset and were lost in their child hood stories. Zara complained him for being away without a message. Noah had his explanations but he pinched Zara's cheeks to divert her mind. Zara's laughter was resounded in the museum without a delay.
'Nice couple' Deniz heard someone passing by them, said. He got furious and went out the hall. It was about ten to twenty minutes and Deniz was waiting for Zara at the premises. Some of his fans recognized Deniz and gathered around him. In the mean-time Zara came out with Noah but they couldn't find Deniz who was with his fans. Zara tried calling him and there was no answer.
"I'll drop you to the hotel." Noah spoke to Zara. "Deniz must have left"
"Deniz doesn't leave me Noah. He should be here somewhere." Zara thoroughly searched him around but was unable to see Deniz.
"He's not here. Let's go." Noah dragged Zara to his car.
Deniz saw them, leaving together, so he got sad and angry. After they disappeared from his sight, Deniz got into his car and drove towards Lucas's place.
Zara was calling him continuously, but he didn't want to answer none of them. He was afraid that she would ask to go out with Noah if he answered. So, he switched off his phone and put it in the drawer.
Noah dropped Zara to the hotel and left. It was already lunch time but she didn't feel hungry. On the way to hotel, they had enjoyed few of junk food items which were famous in Spain. So, she waited for Deniz in the room balcony.
Deniz was with Lucas and Mateo in the club. Lucas was the Disc Jockey there. They had few drinks while having a chat. Mateo's favourite topic was girls. He was betrayed by three girls recently. So, he started bad-mouthing about country girls as usual. Lucas celebrated his friend's noble stories with a glass of red wine. But Deniz didn't heed at least a word. He was totally upset with the incident happened. He thought Zara would be enjoying with Noah in that time despite concerning about him.
"Don't you go early today?" Lucas asked.
"No need." Deniz told him bold. Anyone could easily find his strange personality.
"Did Zara betray you?" Mateo asked out of curiosity. Deniz glared at Mateo.
Lucas hit Mateo's head, "What are you telling man? Don't drag Deniz into your hell." He scolded him before the situation getting worsened.
Deniz didn't give a reply, he was opining deeply about Mateo's words. 'Does Zara like Noah?' He could only think of negative aspects.
Deniz left the friends after some time and drove to the Museum again. By the time, the gate was closed but he didn't want to depart from there and waited for a while.
Zara fell into a sleep while waiting for him. When she got up early in the morning next day, she couldn't find Deniz beside her. She called Lucas to enquire. Lucas informed that he left them yesterday night and didn't return back. Zara put her jacket on and stepped out to go finding him.
She was amazed seeing Deniz coming from the elevator. Zara couldn't understand his act.
"Where did you go yesterday?" She asked with teary eyes.
Deniz didn't respond, he shunned her and creeped into their room. Zara followed him without uttering a word.
"Where did you go Deniz?" She asked again.
"I should ask that." He said in anger. Zara couldn't realize his words.
"We're leaving today. Get ready I booked an early flight." He said and went to the bathroom.
Unfortunately, Zara didn't get a chance to speak. So, after ordering the breakfast for him and she started packing their stuff.
Dalcy was in the garden when Zara and Deniz returned home. She happily welcomed them and led them to the dining room. She had prepared a lovely lunch that could water anyone's mouth. But Deniz didn't look interested in the cuisine and went to his room. Zara went after him.
"What happened Deniz. Please tell me." She asked him dearly.
"I want to stay alone, please leave me." His voice tone was harsh.
"I don't leave you until you speak. Why are you behaving like this?"
Deniz didn't reply her and switched on the TV to divert his mind. But Zara grabbed the remote control and switched off it.
"I'm not a toy Deniz. You embrace me when you want then throw me away." She was about to cry.
"I hate you, did you forget that?" He asked angrily.
"Oh sorry, I really forgot that you cursed me a lot." Zara told after some time and went out the room. She walked to the balcony and started crying out her heart. Since she didn't have anyone to share her chagrin, she was much hurt so couldn't stop her tears. She dialed her friend Jade's number but deleted soon afterwards. Even though her life was a chaos, she didn't want to complicate things between Deniz and her. Her eyes had become red and face was dull when the day ended. But no one was there for Zara.
Dalcy came to Zara for dinner but she didn't go down. Despite Dalcy's insistence, she remained in that gloomy place during the whole day.
Deniz came to her after Dalcy. "Do you want to show our problems to Dalcy? Did you forget what I asked you to do?" His anger wasn't terminated.
"Zara stop your drama and have dinner." He again spoke loudly.
"I'm sorry Deniz. I'm sorry." Zara embraced Deniz and started crying again. "I'm sorry I got into your way. I'm making your life hard, right." She murmured in pain. Even his bare shoulder could feel her warm tears flowing down. But nothing could melt his stern mind. He had been lost in his self-esteem.
"Zara go and eat." He tried to move her away but she didn't let him go and hugged him tightly. So, they remained in a clasp for a while without disturbing to each other. But Deniz could easily heard Zara's sighs between whiles. After sometimes later, he set his anger aside and stroked her head. It was excruciating for him to hear her like that.
"I haven't eaten anything since morning Zara. Let's eat."
He took her hand and went to the dining room. Zara copied his footsteps. Even though the couple wasn't having good vibes they devoured the fried noodles and pork cutlets quickly. Deniz looked at Zara, he was restful seeing her beside him.
In every situation, even in the dark days, only thing he wanted was Zara.
'If we fight or not, you can't leave my side.' He thought in his dreams.
Summer days were passing, making wonderful stories in Arnauds' lives. David was the happiest among everyone in the house because of Deniz. After his marriage, David could live in peace with lesser controversies with his dad. Even no one from the director board had complaints against Deniz.
Camillie called out David from the up-stair, but David couldn't hear her as he was thinking deeply about Deniz. He sipped his coffee and then returned to his business magazine.
"Can't you hear me?"
"Sorry Cami, I didn't hear you. You're calling me so romantically after a long time, what do you want?" David asked her while making her sit next to him.
"David… You're too much sometimes. Dalcy called me yesterday." She said.
"Oh Cami, this is not right. You're peeking into someone's personal life."
"Deniz is my son, not someone, David. Actually, I didn't ask anything from Dalcy, she just told me something. If you're not interested in it, it's ok" Camillie tried to get up. David held her hand and kissed.
"Ever since you came to my life everything is beautiful, even your gossips."
Camillie laughed and sat again. Then she got closer to David and said in a low voice, "I think they are having a good time together. They are so close now. Even Deniz doesn't eat without Zara."
"I think Zara is our angel. Thanks to her, we're having peaceful days." David said in joy. His eyes were sparkling.
"I totally agree with you, she's a wonderful girl." Camillie joined him.
They happily spent their coffee time while chatting about their sons. And that evening was lovely as lilies.
But at Esmee's house it was clumsy and bitter. Julie and Esmee were discussing bad about Zara. They wanted to split Deniz and Zara's bond.
"I'm sad I couldn't do anything to separate them in Spain." Julie said to Esmee. "I think, Deniz moved on. He didn't like to remember you at least."
"I'm at the fault Julie, I let him to go easily even though, I can't forget him." Esmee said sadly.
"We'll try a new way."
Their words were pungent to hear further. Esmee was cursing to Zara. Julie tried to calm her down.
"I want to kill her, I can't see Deniz with that ugly duck." Esmee was angrier than usual. She took a fork and chopped a prawn on her plate.
Zara went to the hospital and met her father's doctor. Then she visited her father who was still having treatments. After hearing about their trip to Spain he laughed in joy. Zara felt fortunate to see his fine face. She prayed speedy recovery for him silently. After visiting hour was over, she went for the groceries. She wanted to buy some berries and cheese. Then, she ambled to the bus stop. While waiting for a bus she encountered Jade.
"Hi Zara!" she hugged her friend.
"Jade"
"You're hard to find now." Jade mocked at her.
"I'm sorry. I couldn't contact you earlier. Dad told me you visited him when I was in Spain."
"It's ok. How was the trip?"
"It's good. I met Noah there."
"Noah?"
"Yes. He'll return soon."
"Did he tell you?" Jade asked her surprisingly.
"Yes my dear Jade. Your love will blossom soon." Zara told while stroking her face.
"Noah loved you Zara, he never loved me."
"He's my best friend and even he loved me, I can't marry him now. So, it's your turn my girl." Zara expressed dearly.
"Forget it." Even before Jade completed her word, a black car had been stopped in front of them.
"Noah?" Zara called him seeing his face inside.
"Did he return back?" Jade was curious to see him.
Noah came to them with a bunch of white roses. Jade pinched Zara, "he still has feelings for you." She whispered.
"This is for you." Noah handed over flowers to Zara.
"Jade you're here too, sorry I didn't know."
"If you knew, would you bring me the same?" Jade asked him directly. "But unfortunately, I hate roses."
"Jade." Zara tried to make her composed.
"I'm getting late, bye Zara, bye Noah." She departed.
Looking at her behavior Noah inquired from Zara, "what's the problem?" Zara couldn't give a reply, she nodded her head slightly.
Noah and Zara were diving to a café closer to their college. It was their old habit to have few cups of black coffee during summer.
"Do you remember our past days?" Noah asked from Zara.
"Why not? You're the one who forgot it."
"No Zara, I still remember everything. Let's have a coffee first then I'll drop you."
Deniz was in his studio when Julie reached there.
"When did you come?"
"Today. How is the college show?"
"I don't know. It will be held on next month as Lisa told me. Do you want to perform?"
"No way Deniz. I'm not a good singer." Julie told. But actually, she could sing and play keyboards. Julie took out a magazine from the shelf and read loud.
"Famous singer and his fate" There was an article about Deniz and Zara's marriage. Without stating their names that had been written about them indirectly. Even though Deniz had read it, he heeded to Julie.
"It was about you." Julie said after finishing the last line. Deniz said nothing.
"It has clearly stated about your sudden marriage. I guess, they know you didn't want to marry Zara."
"Forget them Julie. They can write what they need."
"But do you know, you're losing your popularity? We couldn't sell all the tickets in the last show. Everything, because of Zara."
"Problems need time. Now I don't care about anything." Deniz replied her then went out. Julie smirked looking at him. She thought, she could plant some of bitter seeds in his mind.
"Zara! What an absurd character!" She self-expressed.
Deniz returned home by the evening and found Zara's absence. Even he inquired from Dalcy, she hadn't got a message. While thinking about her, Deniz wanted to phone her but his stubbornness didn't allow him to do so. Hence soon after having a glass of orange juice, he changed his clothes and went jogging. Arnauds' had a large area in that land behind the house up to few kilometers. In their childhood, Deniz and Deon played around there a lot. West part of the lake was adjacent to their land too. So, it was a peaceful space for anyone to relax which was cherished by Deniz a lot.
When he was in the hut beside the lake, Zara walked towards him with some sandwiches. Deniz didn't show any interest and remained in a genial mood.
"You look good today." She spoke.
"I walked ten kilometers after some time. I feel relaxed." He responded.
"I prepared berry jam. Try it." She gave him a plate of berry sandwiches.
Deniz swallowed few bites. "It's good."
"I wanted to make something else, actually I got home late so I made jam."
"It's ok. Where did you go?" Deniz asked.
"I went to the hospital, but I met Noah at the bus stop. So, we went to visit our college."
After hearing Noah's name Deniz was furious like a bull. He put the sandwich he took on the plate again and spun his head to Zara.
"Were you with him all the day?"
"Not all the day Deniz, we went to the college after the lunch."
"Are you crazy or something Zara? Don't ruin my image. Because of you I'm really having a hard time." He walked away angrily. Zara wanted to follow him but she was afraid of his anger.