Afternoon — 2 PM
The room was filled with soft white light.
Through the large window, the blue sea shimmered with dancing waves.
Onik was fast asleep—wearing a black shirt, one arm resting loosely beside him.
The curtains fluttered gently in the warm ocean breeze.
Just then—
Ira slipped quietly into the room.
That familiar mischievous smile curved at the corner of her lips.
Ira (in her mind):
"Hmm… sleeping this peacefully? Let's see if I can wake you up today."
Slowly, she took out a silk belt from her bag.
On her tiptoes, she moved closer to the bed.
Onik didn't budge—too deep in sleep.
With a playful sigh, Ira lifted his hands and tied them gently to the headboard with the silk belt.
Onik stirred a little, but didn't wake up.
Ira chuckled under her breath.
Then…
She climbed onto him quietly, settling on his lap, her knees resting on the bed.
Ira (laughing softly):
"Hello, sleepyhead… wake up and let's see if you can catch me."
Onik opened his eyes—
and saw Ira's face right in front of him,
her hair falling over her shoulders, eyes sparkling with mischief.
Onik (startled):
"I–Ira? W-what are you doing?!"
Ira (smirking):
"Punishing you. Sleeping this much—is that allowed?"
Onik tried to move his hands—
but saw they were tied.
Onik (shocked but shyly amused):
"You're crazy…"
Ira leaned closer, gazing right into his eyes.
"Me? Come on, you've known that since forever."
She sat firmly on him, his hands still tied.
The blue light of the sea painted shadows across the room.
Onik shifted and said, wide-eyed—
Onik:
"Ira… please untie me. Otherwise… otherwise I'll bring Saturn's curse down on you!"
Ira froze.
Then—
Pfft!
She burst into laughter so hard she nearly fell off.
Ira (laughing hysterically):
"What did you say? Saturn's curse?! You idiot!"
She pinched his cheek lightly.
"You really can't talk like a hero, can you? Trying to scare me? Hmm?"
Onik leaned his head back with helpless embarrassment.
Onik:
"I'm serious! Untie me first. I can't even move—Saturn isn't far away!"
Ira laughed again.
Ira:
"Saturn or Sunday—I'm not untying you. You slept way too long.
You deserve this punishment."
Onik sighed deeply, looking away—
but the tiny hidden smile at the edge of his lips betrayed him.
Onik:
"Fine… remember this. When I get the chance—"
Ira leaned in and tapped her nose to his.
Ira:
"Oh my, so scary!
Not Saturn's curse… Ira's curse has only just begun!"
She pressed down lightly on his shoulders again.
Onik closed his eyes and sighed dramatically—
"I'm doomed. I'm definitely not surviving today…"
Ira giggled.
Ira:
"Absolutely not… you're done for."
The sea breeze, Ira's laughter, Onik's shy irritation—
everything blended softly.
Ira finally started untying his hands, though her expression softened.
The moment Onik's hands were free,
he gently took her wrist and held it.
Ira froze.
Onik (softly, almost hurt):
"Ira… are you going to leave?"
Her eyes softened instantly.
She bit her lip, unable to answer right away.
Ira:
"Yes… now let go, Onik."
Her voice had no mischief now—
only a little hurt, a little fear,
and a quiet tenderness.
Onik pulled her hand against his chest.
Onik:
"Don't go like that… please."
Ira inhaled sharply.
The curtains swayed with the breeze,
and soft blue light washed over them.
She leaned closer, eyes glistening.
Ira (whispering):
"Don't say things like that… it hurts."
Onik slowly let her hand go—
but his helpless gaze remained.
Onik:
"The room feels empty without you, Ira…"
Ira stepped back,
but her eyes didn't leave his for a second.
Ira (quietly):
"Then… don't let me go."
Silence settled between them—
soft and trembling.
Hearing those words,
something flickered in Onik's eyes.
He slowly sat up,
the blanket sliding down to his waist,
his gaze fixed on Ira.
She pretended to step back—
but her eyes said clearly:
She wasn't leaving.
She was waiting.
Onik stood up
and walked toward her.
Ira held her breath.
He reached out and held her wrist—
gently, but with that fear of losing her still lingering.
Onik (low, steady):
"If you leave…
I won't be able to bear it."
Tears shimmered in her eyes.
Ira:
"Then… stop me."
Onik didn't hesitate this time.
He pulled her close—
so close
that their soft breaths mingled as one.
Ira placed her hands on his chest, startled.
Their hearts—both racing.
Onik:
"Ira… I can't let you go.
Never."
She closed her eyes, voice trembling—
Ira:
"Then don't let me… walk away."
Onik lowered his forehead to hers,
then pressed a soft kiss on her temple.
After leaving the room,
Ira shut the door behind her and leaned against it, breathless.
Her cheeks were burning—
bright red, like someone had lit a flame under her skin.
Her heart pounded wildly.
Outside, the sea whispered—
waves hitting the rocks with rhythmic sound,
the air rich with the scent of salt.
Ira slowly sank to the floor, hugging her knees.
Shyness, confusion, and a trembling warmth filled the small space around her.
Onik's face wouldn't leave her mind—
his voice,
his touch,
and the way he had pleaded with her while tied—
"Ira, untie me… or Saturn's curse is coming!"
She buried her face in the pillow, curling her legs.
Her soft voice escaped—
"Oh God… what did I just do…"
The sound of the sea blended
with her blush,
her trembling breath,
her spinning thoughts—
creating a strange, intimate melody around her.
The room wasn't dark;
sunlight spilled softly from the balcony,
making her flushed face glow even more.
She closed her eyes—
but the warm embarrassment and sweetness refused to fade.
Ira lay there, breathing softly, her cheeks still warm with that deep blush.
But even as she tried to calm herself, the memory of Onik's touch,
his voice,
his eyes—
kept replaying like a loop she couldn't escape.
Just then—
A soft sound.
Footsteps.
Slow… steady… coming closer to her door.
Ira's heart skips.
Thump.
Thump.
She sits up quickly, clutching the blanket, wide-eyed.
The door handle moves—
not much, just a gentle click,
like someone touched it from the other side.
Ira freezes.
A second passes.
Then another.
And then—
a familiar voice, low… deep… hesitant.
Onik:
"…Ira? Are you awake?"
Ira squeezes her eyes shut, whispering to herself:
"Oh my god… not now… not when my face is literally on fire…"
She doesn't answer.
Silence again.
Then the sound of a soft sigh.
Onik:
"I… I know you're embarrassed.
I know you're hiding.
But… can I just say one thing?"
Ira's breath catches in her throat.
She stares at the door, unable to move.
Onik (quietly):
"You don't have to run from me."
Ira feels something twist inside her—
not fear,
not exactly shyness either…
something deeper.
She pulls the blanket up to her chest, whispering:
"…Why is he saying things like that…"
Outside, Onik leans his forehead against the door.
His voice drops even lower, barely a murmur:
Onik:
"Ira…
if you walk away now…
I won't chase you."
Ira's eyes widen.
Her heart sinks.
But then he adds—
"…But I'll be waiting.
As long as it takes."
Ira's breath shivers.
Something in her chest melts—
soft, slow, like ice under sunlight.
She whispers under her breath:
"Onik… don't say things that make me…"
She stops herself.
Her face grows even redder.
Outside, the sea wind blows stronger,
the curtains flutter,
the whole world seems to hold its breath.
Finally—
Onik steps back from the door.
Onik:
"Take your time…
I'm right here."
His footsteps fade slowly down the hall.
Ira collapses back onto the bed,
hugging the pillow tight,
her heart racing uncontrollably.
She hides her face and whispers—
"…What are you doing to me, Onik…"
And outside,
the ocean keeps roaring softly,
as if it knows exactly where this story is heading.Ira sighed. Why did this man make her so restless? His mischief, his vulnerability, his deep emotion... all combined, he was a strange whirlwind.
She whispered: "Onik... why do you say things like that? Why do you do this to me..."
She sat up, her eyes on the door. Had Onik really left?
She moved the pillow and grabbed the water bottle next to the bed. Her throat was parched.
Holding the water bottle, she cautiously went to the door. She opened it a tiny crack and peered out.
The balcony and corridor were silent. Only the soft hush of the sea.
Soundlessly, she opened the door a bit wider and looked towards the balcony.
Just then—
Onik was standing leaning against the balcony railing. His gaze was fixed on the horizon. The gentle breeze rustled the folds of his black shirt. He held a coffee mug.
She felt as if Onik knew she would peek.
Onik smiled slowly. He gestured to Ira, his smile quiet, yet profound.
Onik:
"How long will you play hide-and-seek like this, Ira?"
Ira was startled, quickly closing the door and retreating to the bed. A faint, suppressed laugh touched her lips.
Onik knows. He knows everything.
She thought to herself:
"He wants to see how red my face is right now, doesn't he?"
She didn't reply. She buried her face in the pillow and lay still.
A few moments later—
The door knocked again. This time, even softer, even gentler.
Onik (Outside, in a calm voice):
"You're forgetting one thing, Ira. You can close the door, but not your heart."
Ira sat up immediately. Was this man always going to disarm her like this?
Ira (Shouting):
"You... you're crazy!"
Onik (Outside, suppressing a laugh):
"Yes. For you. Come out now. The coffee is getting cold."
Ira remained silent.
Then, she threw the pillow away and said—
Ira (Looking at the door, firmly):
"I'm not coming! You can wait for Saturn's curse instead!"
Onik's laughter was heard from outside. That laugh... which washes away all resentment and shyness in an instant.
Onik:
"I'm waiting for a reward, not a curse. And if you don't come out, something worse than Saturn will befall me."
Ira couldn't bear it any longer. She shook her head. She was ready to concede defeat in this battle.
She quickly walked to the door and opened it, standing in the doorway.
Onik was still standing on the balcony, holding the coffee mug. His gaze was calm, deep.
Ira (In a tone mixed with annoyance and shyness):
"What... what do you want?"
Onik turned towards her. He took one step forward and pinned Ira against the door frame.
Onik (Looking into her eyes, whispering):
"Nothing else. Only you. By my side."
In that moment, amidst their silence, the sea breeze seemed to carry only their story. Ira couldn't move. All her anger, her shame—everything seemed to melt into Onik's eyes.It is night. Ira's whole body trembled gently at Onik's words. She felt like she would melt right there. But the stubbornness within her prevented her from drowning completely in the depths of Onik's eyes.
Ira (Slowly, holding her breath):
"I am not obligated to listen to you, Onik. Step aside."
Onik did not move an inch. His gaze held a steady, deep commitment.
Onik:
"Do you think, Ira... I say all these things just to play games?"
Ira's eyes welled up. She lowered her head.
Ira:
"I don't think anything. You told me to leave."
Onik gently took her hand and pulled her back towards him so she could meet his gaze.
Onik:
"I told you that if you walked away, I wouldn't chase you. Because I know you can't be free from this bond. But I also told you, I would wait. For as long as it takes."
Ira couldn't say anything. Her lips were trembling.
Onik released her. He stepped back and returned to the balcony, holding his coffee mug.
Onik (In a very calm voice):
"Go now. And... and don't be afraid to come to me like this."
Ira stood for a moment, then quickly entered her room and softly closed the door. This time, she didn't return to the bed. She sat quietly in a chair placed against the wall.
Her anger, shame, and joy—all seemed to overwhelm her in a strange mix.
A strange love. A strange anger. This anger was directed at herself—for why she couldn't completely avoid Onik. And at Onik—for why he disarmed her so easily.
Night Falls, the Warmth of the Relationship Grows
Time passed, and evening gave way to night. The roar of the sea was now deeper, more soothing.
Ira freshened up. As she tied her hair, she remembered that although Onik drank coffee, he loved tea. Especially the Nilkontho Tea she made.
Ira stood up. She knew this anger, this distance, couldn't be maintained for long. The foundation of their relationship lay in these small spats followed by a quiet warmth.
She took the necessary ingredients from the kitchen and carefully made the Nilkontho Tea—the deep blue color of the liquor, the aroma of a little ginger and cardamom.
Arranging two mugs on a tray, Ira headed towards Onik's room. Standing outside the door, she composed herself.
Ira (To herself):
"No more hide-and-seek. This time, I haven't come to break the silence; I've just come to give him tea."
She knocked on the door—knock knock.
There was no answer from inside.
Ira knocked a second time.
Onik (From inside, gentle but clear):
"Who is it?"
Ira (In a calm voice):
"It's me. Your Nilkontho Tea."
There was a slight sound inside, perhaps Onik getting up. Then the door opened.
Onik's face held the same calm, deep gaze. He knew Ira would come.
Onik:
"Come in."
Ira entered with the tray. Onik turned back towards the balcony, where his coffee mug was still placed.
Ira (Placing the tray on the table):
"The coffee must be cold now. I brought you Nilkontho Tea."
Onik took the mug, inhaling the aroma of the tea.
Onik (Smiling softly):
"Thank you. You know very well I can't resist the lure of this tea."
Ira took the other mug and stood beside Onik on the balcony. The night had deepened. There were a few stars in the sky.
Onik took a sip from his mug and closed his eyes.
Onik:
"This taste... only you can create it."
They stood silent, side by side. The mischief of the afternoon and the resentment of the evening between them were now like the calm sea.
Ira (Looking down):
"Are you angry now?"
Onik opened his eyes. He turned towards Ira, holding the mug.
Onik:
"Angry? Can I ever be angry with you, Ira? My anger was only with myself, because I couldn't hold onto you."
He put his mug down, then gently took her mug from her hand and set it down too.
Onik (His voice filled with deep affection):
"I understand your anger. I understand your fear, too. But when you come to me, I don't need anything else."
Ira looked up at Onik. There was no restlessness in those eyes, only deep trust and love.
Ira (Whispering):
"Can I... can I come to you, Onik?"
Onik took her hand and gently pulled her close.
Onik:
"You can always come to me, Ira. I've been waiting only for you."