Erdem quietly sat at the dining table; his gaze fixated on the empty chair beside him. The weight of his presence seemed to hang in the air, his silent contemplation palpable. I continued with my task, mixing the chopped vegetables and meat, creating a fragrant stew that filled the room with its comforting aroma.
Suddenly, his voice broke the silence, his words tinged with a mix of curiosity and longing. “What are you making?” His breath brushed against my ear as he appeared behind me, sending a shiver down my spine. The proximity between us, after all these years, awakened dormant memories and emotions. But just as quickly as he had drawn close, he stepped back, maintaining a respectful distance.
Erdem closed his eyes for a moment, inhaling deeply to take in the mouth-watering scent of the stew. “Smells absolutely delicious,” he murmured, his voice filled with appreciation. I nodded in response, keeping my silence, allowing the tension to settle between us.
