Chapter 31 Türkiye Arc (End) Sending stones, the Maiden's Tower, steam...
With the weather warming up, I finally made plans with Aisha Zelin and the others to go to the Grand Bazaar and discuss the next few days.
The kitten took a break and went to Anran Lane.
This time she didn't come empty-handed; instead, she brought with her the black agate stone that she hadn't had a chance to give away for a long time.
A couple of days ago, Zelin gave Aisha a whole set of her favorite adventure novels, and Aisha was absolutely thrilled, reading them non-stop for days on end.
She also remembered that she had a small gift that she hadn't given away.
Arriving at the familiar gate, she found it still tightly shut, and there was no movement behind the window. She squatted on the roof and waited for a while, until the sun was about to set and the wind was getting cool.
She gazed longingly toward the end of the alley, when a strange intuition drew her in. She turned and climbed off the roof, carrying a stone in her mouth as she ran toward the small square.
The square was quieter than during the day, with the setting sun casting its golden rays across the ground and the shadows of the trees swaying gently.
After a long while, I finally saw the figure I was looking for. This time, the person didn't stop by the bench, but instead stood like a sculpture, blending into the shadows under the tree.
The kitten stopped before approaching the other. Instead of hiding away as usual, she put the black agate, which had been nibbling at her mouth, on the ground to rest for a while.
“You’re here again…” 1221 was already helpless with the kitten. “He won’t take it back.”
"How will you know if he'll accept it if you don't try?"
He slowly picked up the stone, took a few steps, and walked step by step under the tree.
She had already moved as quietly as possible, but just as she was about to approach the other person's wheelchair, she met their gaze.
She slowly raised her head, her honey-colored eyes shining in the sunset. She jumped onto the armrest of the other person's wheelchair, lowered her head and opened her mouth, and the black agate stone was caught by the thin blanket on the other person's knee.
The kitten solemnly touched the motionless hand with its paw: "This is for you, it's the same color as your eyes."
The other person lowered their eyes, and the smooth surface of the stone reflected the kitten's silhouette, gleaming with a restrained and deep luster.
Chichi's tail tip brushed very lightly against the other's hand, carrying a hint of long-lost tension and anticipation.
The kitten thought that this time, like before, she would only receive a silent response or be ignored. Just as she was about to wisely jump down, the other person moved their hand.
Neither chasing nor pushing away, slender fingers picked up the stone that still carried the warmth of the kitten's body.
He stroked the smooth surface, and his ears and tail instantly stood up.
The kitten twitched its nose and let out a soft purr, as if asking, "Do you like it?"
The other person's gaze shifted from the dark stone to their hopeful eyes, lingering there for a moment.
Something flashed in the depths of those usually calm and placid black eyes, like a stone thrown into a deep pool, stirring up an invisible ripple.
"Thanks."
The volume wasn't loud, almost dissipating in the evening breeze, yet it was clearly picked up lately.
She blinked her honey-colored eyes slowly, forgetting to even twitch her ears, and even wondered if she was hallucinating because of her anticipation.
After the other person finished speaking, they lowered their gaze again and wrapped the stone in their palm.
His hands were beautiful; when he slightly closed them, the veins under his skin were clearly visible. He held the stone quietly, as if feeling its weight and temperature.
The setting sun outlined his profile faintly, and the lingering sense of loneliness did not diminish, but something that kept people at a distance seemed to have softened a little.
Can I rub against you?
He hesitated for a moment before jumping out of his wheelchair, walking up to the other person, and looking up to ask.
Kittens will rub against whoever they want; there's no such thing as asking for permission before rubbing against someone.
These days, people politely ask before trying to "crash" someone's name, which creates a sense of distance and reserve, giving the other person a lot of space.
The air seemed to freeze again, with only the faint sounds of traffic and pedestrians.
The other person's fingers, which were holding the stone, moved almost imperceptibly, and their profile appeared somewhat indifferent.
Chichi was now quite certain that this so-called "NPC" could understand her speech, including the sentence she had just uttered. Before the other party could respond, the kitten was already losing patience.
Humans are nothing more than kittens who can sniff whenever they want!
She took two steps forward and rubbed her head against the other person's trouser leg. After rubbing once, she didn't see any hairs left on the trouser leg, so she mischievously rubbed it a few more times.
It even briefly pressed its fluffy head against the other person's drooping hand.
After rubbing against it, it immediately jumped to a safe distance, raised its head to look over, as if to confirm whether its "offense" had angered the human.
I got a face that was exactly the same as usual, still cold and cool.
Chichi, contented, lay down again in the shade under the tree, resting her chin on her paws with a little joy, and stayed with her until night fell and the stars lit up one by one.
*
The coldest weather is slowly passing.
As Zelin's health improved day by day, Aisha's promise to her, which had initially been a source of comfort at her bedside, transformed into a practical plan.
Their first destination, of course, was the place Aisha and Chichi knew best: the local market at Aisha's family's spice shop.
Before setting off, Zelin specially changed into a new dress, and the nanny accompanied them from behind, eventually joining in the fun.
As soon as you step onto the stone path at the entrance, the familiar hustle and bustle envelops you.
Freshly baked bread, the freshness of fruits and vegetables, and ceramic and metal products—these are as commonplace as eating and drinking for Aisha, but Zelin finds everything fascinating.
She hadn't been out and about for so long that seeing the shops and stalls she used to know felt like a distant memory.
"Aisha, did you bring your friends over?"
The auntie at the spice stall at the entrance greeted them and picked up the kitten, gently rubbing its snow-white belly.
The other person, wearing an apron covered in various powders, looked at the thin person next to Aisha with pity: "Poor thing, may God bless you. The smells here are too mixed. Here, smell this. This is the best dried mint leaf."
She put the kitten down, took a glass bottle about the thickness of a finger, stuffed a small handful of mint leaves inside, and held it under her nose to smell it. The cool scent instantly filled her nasal cavity, dispelling other odors.
Zelin thanked them and took the money, feeling a little embarrassed, and prepared to pay them.
The other person quickly waved their hand: "These things are worthless, don't be shy, come in and have some fun!"
Before Zelin could thank her again, Aisha pulled her inside with a grin.
"You can walk now?" the ceramics shop owner asked at the shop entrance, carefully examining Zelin's face. "You look quite energetic. Are you tired from walking?"
"Not tired."
“Look over there!” Aisha pointed to the stall where customers were queuing up and excitedly introduced, “Their sesame ring bread is the best. I’ve brought it for you before.”
As soon as you walk in, a row of steaming hot bagels is displayed, golden and crispy, covered with sesame seeds.
Before Aisha could even speak, the other person wrapped two bagels in parchment paper and stuffed them into her hands: "Eat with your friends, it's on me."
With so many concerned glances and gifts, Zelin blushed slightly and whispered to Aisha, "How come the owners here all know me?"
“It’s probably because I keep saying I’m going to visit you.” Aisha scratched her head. “I won’t tell them about you anymore.”
"It's alright." Zelin experienced this kind of extended affection for someone she loved for the first time. "They're such kind people."
The people who greeted her along the way were simple and sincere. She felt that she was no longer the "porcelain doll" trapped in the room, but had finally become a part of this vibrant world.
"That's right! You can come here often in the future, that's my family's shop over there!"
Aisha took Zelin for a long walk around the market, then played in their own shop for a while. Taking advantage of the warmest part of the afternoon, they went to Golden Horn Bay for a picnic with the food they bought at the market.
They spread soft blankets on the slope and filled them with boxes and bags of food, as well as mille-feuille pastries that their nanny had bought for them from Kadkoy.
The sweet aroma of honey and rose syrup filled the air, almost overpowering the scent of the sea breeze.
The strait shimmered with countless golden rays in the afternoon sun, and the wind swept across the slope where they sat, bringing the scent of the sea. It was a small celebration for Zelin's gradually recovering health.
Aisha tossed a piece of sausage to Chichi, and the kitten jumped over and nibbled on it.
"Eat slowly." Zelin watched the kitten eat, her eyes sparkling with laughter.
She and Aisha each took a piece of mille-feuille. Aisha's cheeks were bulging, and her voice was muffled but energetic: "Food tastes so much better on a picnic than usual. No wonder they all love to come here for picnics."
“Yes.” Zelin also took a big bite, her eyes squinting with sweetness. “It’s even better than anything I’ve ever had before.”
"When you're healthy, you have a great appetite!"
Looking at the shimmering strait and cruise ships under the sunlight, Aisha said with longing, "Once your parents are willing to let you come out on your own, we must go to the Grand Bazaar."
She glanced back at the nanny, then whispered in Zelin's ear, "The kind that doesn't involve adults."
Zelin nodded vigorously: "We can shop from morning till night, buy a bunch of cute little trinkets that are not really useful, and try all the snacks there. I can even take you to see my family's shop."
Just imagining that scene filled her with power.
It finally ran up to the two of them and meowed loudly, as if to say, "Take me with you."
"Of course you're included." Aisha smiled and rubbed Chichi's head. "You are our guardian."
They shared food on this land facing the blue strait, enjoying the increasingly warm winds, the gloom of the past dispelled, and the rest of the time was worth looking forward to.
Chi Chi had just finished rolling around comfortably on the blanket when she heard 1221's surprised voice.
"Look!"
Points of light emanated from Aisha and Zelin, carrying a warm, pale gold hue, rising lightly and slowly converging in the air, intertwining to become even brighter.
"It's a fragment of the Light of the Soul!" 1221 exclaimed excitedly. "We've encountered it again!"
A tiny meteor formed from gathered light fell down, gently touched Chichi's nose, hovered around 1221 for a while, and was collected by the transparent sphere of light.
The light merged into 1221's body, making its light much brighter than before, before quickly returning to its usual brightness.
But for a long time, I had a vague feeling that the light was more solid than before.
“We’ve collected two fragments of the light of the soul!” 1221 exclaimed happily. “Just like before, when beautiful emotions are sincere enough, they will naturally appear and actively approach us.”
Looking at the two little girls for a long time, he seemed to understand why 1221 always said that these fragments were very important.
The culmination of all the world's beautiful emotions is a sparkling gift for the kitten.
*
With everything coming back to life and the sun shining even more generously, it was a golden time for Aisha and Zelin.
Like happy little birds, they couldn't wait to leave their footprints in every corner of the city after school and on weekends.
Lose your way through the maze-like passages of the Grand Bazaar, admiring the various styles of colorful ceramics and bronze utensils, as well as the glass lamps hanging like waterfalls.
She was nearly led out of the market by a kind passerby amidst the surging crowds, but Aisha scooped her up and put her on her shoulder so they could continue sightseeing.
They also went to the mosque where Aisha had prayed. This time, Zelin and Aisha prayed quietly in a solemn atmosphere, fulfilling their vows for recovery and praying for the future.
Chichi, still under the cover of 1221, followed the two onto the ferry bound for Scudal in the Asian region.
Instead of crowding the most popular viewing platforms, they followed the kitten's footsteps, winding their way to a secluded seaside rock platform. The Maiden Tower, standing alone in the sea, seemed almost within reach, and Topkapi Palace on the opposite shore was clearly reflected in their eyes.
There are also many cats here.
Chichi, with her cute and cuddly appearance, was constantly surrounded and chased by a group of somewhat enthusiastic male cats.
Springtime in the cat-loving city is already quite unfriendly. The kitten clung to Aisha's shoulder and refused to get down, so 1221 helped her chase away these enthusiastic fans.
What the cat was most looking forward to was undoubtedly the surprise trip arranged by Zelin's father.
Hot air balloons taking off in Cappadocia!
For this trip, they even left Istanbul and stood in the wilderness before dawn, watching the giant hot air balloon being slowly inflated by flames.
Chichi was carefully held inside Zelin's coat, with a safety rope around her chest and back, held firmly by the two little girls to prevent her from running around and getting into an accident.
At first, the kitten was a little nervous about the gushing flames and noise, its paws gripping tightly onto the other person's collar.
But as the hot air balloon slowly rose into the air, the earth unfolded beneath our feet, leaving us utterly awestruck.
Below lies a vast and unique landscape, where the rising sun leaps from the horizon, casting golden light across the valleys, while other colorful hot air balloons float in the rose-colored sky.
The world becomes both small and vast.
Aisha and Zelin leaned against each other, sharing the same blanket. Zelin's face was flushed by the morning sun, and her exclamations floated in the air.
Even after landing safely on the ground, I was still immersed in the scenery I had just witnessed.
Humans celebrate a safe return by opening a bottle of champagne, spraying foam, and the kitten gets to eat a sandwich fed to it by humans.
This was the first time in her life that she had the opportunity to look down on the world from such a high altitude, and she felt that she would remember this wonderful experience for the rest of her life.
Back in Istanbul, the two girls made a pact to go to and from school together every day and to go to the pier to see the sea.
After playing for a while, Chichi yawned loudly between the two of them, and when she felt her eyelids starting to droop, she jumped into Aisha's arms and snuggled up comfortably to sleep.
The sound of the wind, the horns of boats, and the casual chatter around me are the best lullabies in ordinary days.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com