The Darkness

He opened his eyes calmly and blinked several times. "Good morning, my sister. Come on, get up, you're going to school." She started rubbing her eyes as she pulled the duvet over her.

"Okay," he simply said. I couldn't find any solution to his condition. No matter what I did, I couldn't wash the walls he had built.

He got up and left the room without looking at me. I looked after him for a while. Ahmed was the legacy of my family. I would do anything for him without thinking; I would give anything for a smile. Just a smile...

After Ahmed took off, I made my bed and left the room. I was going to work early today, and I had to take Ahmed to school. İhsan's brother, the owner of the market, was a little sensitive about being late. He wouldn't tell me much, but I would try to be careful because I didn't want to intrude on other employees' rights.

I took my dark jeans and white t-shirt from my closet. I got out of my pajamas and got dressed immediately. Looking in the mirror, I combed my mother's brown hair and put it in a ponytail. I got my appearance from my mother. I had brown hair and eyes just like him. I applied eyeliner and mascara to bring color to my faded face. They thought I was sick when I wasn't driving, and that pissed me off. I wouldn't open my mouth even if they were angry. I've never been one of those girls who responded to people like that. Production was generally quiet. All of a sudden, the person's smirk was not taken away. After my mother's departure, I had to submit to believers for the sake of bread.

We were a quiet, quiet family living on their own. We didn't see our relatives because my parents had fled and gotten married. After their departure, no one came to look for us. My family... Everything was so beautiful. Our life was changed by an accident. Because of someone who doesn't know himself, our life has been a big lie!

I left the room and went to the kitchen. I grabbed the milk from the cupboard, reached over the wooden counter, and grabbed two glasses. Our milk-drinking habit came from my mother. He loved it very much and gave us this habit. I wiped my involuntary tears again. Sometimes it hurts to remember them. I hated myself for thinking that way. I couldn't get used to their absence. I didn't want to get used to it. I was afraid to forget them.

I looked at my brother, who had come in through the kitchen door, dressed in his school uniform. I couldn't understand how he could stay so sullen at this age. Even though he was 9 years old, I was surprised how he found this strength. I poured the milk into a glass and placed it in front of him. "I'll come pick you up if I can get the afternoon off. Good thing I don't; you have the key. Come carefully, okay?" Without speaking, he just shook his head with heavy movements.

I shook the glasses we were drinking in the fountain and put them on the marble counter. I sat on the shoe rack and put on my white sneakers. Ahmed came after me, rubbing his feet on the ground, and started to put on his shoes. He put his bag on his back and walked out the door without looking at me. I took my bag from the hook and left the house after him. I didn't need to lock my door, but Aunt Rumeysa, my next-door neighbor, was firmly advising. Just so you can lock your door when you enter or leave.

Aunt Rumeysa became our family. Normally I would see him every morning. Thankfully, she treated us like a mother. She was a lonely woman like us. He had a son, a daughter-in-law, and a grandson, but they did not visit him often. I last saw it when I was little. They did not come often because they lived abroad.

When I came out of the apartment, the hot air hit my face directly. I used to love the summer months. It was my favorite season. But it used to be. Now the winter months were my season. Cold and lonely nights suited me better.

I grabbed Ahmed's hand tightly and started walking towards the school. I wasn't even taking him out, just as I wasn't sending him anywhere alone. After my parents' accident, I started to be more protective. There were even times when I panicked. But my effort was not to face the fear of losing once again.

Our arrival was short-lived, as the school was in the back street of the house. When we entered the school garden, I took Ahmed by the hand and turned him to me. Since his honey eyes were dazzled by the sun, he blocked the sun with his right hand. "Good lessons. Take care, okay?" I said, forcing myself to shake off the dream and smiling. I wanted to help him as much as I could, but he wouldn't let me.

"Okay, see you later," he said calmly, in a tone that upset and bored me. Then he started running up the stairs of the school. He nodded and continued walking up the stairs.

I left the school and started walking towards the market. The market was under the street where my house is located, right on the crowded street where the bazaar is. I loved our neighborhood. Who wouldn't love where they grew up? I knew most people. I was born and raised here. This place reminded me of my family; how could I not love it?

When I looked at the clock, I realized that if I went a little slower, I would be late, so I accelerated my steps and turned to the corner of the market. Serdar's brother in the grocery section had already set to work. Since he didn't see me, I said, "Good morning, Serdar brother," in my voice that was out of breath from running.

"Good morning, my daughter Elif." He spoke with his usual candor. Serdar's brother helped me a lot with his fatherly attitude. When there was heavy work, he would push me aside and do it himself. He couldn't take the place of a father, but he tried to help in everything.

When I entered, Reyhan and Aylin were in charge of the cash register. "Good morning, girls," I said as I walked past them, giving a nod at the same time.