The sun's rays slipped through the living room curtains, falling on Koran's face. He had slept last night next to his mother. He opened his eyes slowly, still feeling a little tired from yesterday, then lifted his head a bit. Diva wasn't beside him this time. He sat up on the sofa, stretched a little while yawning, then rubbed his eyes, trying to chase away the sleepiness.
The house was quiet. The only sounds were soft ones coming from the kitchen. Koran got up and walked slowly through the hallway until he reached it. There, he saw Diva standing in front of the stove. Her long hair was tied back in a simple knot, and she was wearing her house clothes. She was busy stirring the pot, and the smell of food began to fill the place.
Koran stopped at the kitchen door for a moment, watching her silently. He felt a sense of warmth seeing her move quietly, as if she was trying to return to their normal life despite the heaviness in her heart. He finally approached and pulled out a chair. He sat at the small table and looked at her, smiling.
"Did you sleep well?"
Diva turned to him, her face showing relief at seeing him awake. She put the spoon aside and came a little closer. She sat opposite him on the other chair.
"Actually, no. You were snoring all night."
A short laugh escaped her suddenly, then she went back to stir the pot again, while Koran kept looking at her.
At that moment, Koran heard a voice from outside calling:
"Koran!Koran!"
He quickly turned towards the slightly open window and knew the voice belonged to Timo. He turned to his mother, saying:
"Timo is calling me.I'll go to him now."
Diva's laugh stopped for a moment, and she looked at her son with sadness.
"About that... Do you really not want to come with me to the psychiatrist?"
Koran stood up and picked up his bag.
"Mom, we talked about this. I don't need a psychiatrist."
Diva nodded at him with a smile.
"Okay, as you wish."
Then she got up to return to her work.At the door, Koran stopped for a moment and looked at her:
"Don't go anywhere. Today we will celebrate your birthday."
She laughed lightly and said:
"You remember then…Don't worry, it's a promise."
He opened the door and hurried outside where Timo was waiting for him.
When Koran left the house, the cool, fresh air greeted him along with the morning sun rays reflecting off the small clay houses in the neighborhood. He stood in front of the door for a moment, closing his eyes, then walked towards the road where Timo was waiting.
Timo was standing by a low wall, waving his hand at him. His light brown hair looked messy from the wind, and his book bag was hanging on his shoulder. When Koran approached, he smiled a wide smile and said:
"Good morning,Koran."
Koran replied, trying to match his smile:
"Good morning,Timo."
They walked together on the dirt road between the houses. The voices of vendors began to rise a little from the nearby market, and the city seemed to be preparing for a busy day after a long night.
Timo turned to his friend and said in a hesitant tone:
"How is Ms.Diva today? It's her birthday, isn't it?"
Koran lowered his head for a moment, his steps slowed, then he answered in a low voice:
"She's fine."
Timo gave him a quick look and knew from his expression that the answer wasn't true. But he didn't want to pressure him or open the wound more, so he just said with a slight smile:
"That's good."
He walked beside him a few steps, then continued in a more enthusiastic voice:
"Today there's a big city festival for the new king's coronation.Everyone is talking about it. I'm going to the main square tonight, will you come with me?"
Koran raised his eyes towards Timo, seemed hesitant for a moment, then said:
"Yes,I'll come."
Timo smiled again, patting his friend's shoulder:
"Then we'll go together.Don't be late."
After Koran and Timo finished their school day, they parted ways at the crossroads near the school. Koran waved his hand at him, then took a different route towards the market. He had a small idea in his head that he had been thinking about all day: to surprise his mother with something she likes.
He entered the crowded alleys, where the place was filled with the smells of fresh bread and spices. Vegetable vendors were calling out to their customers, and the sounds of bicycles and carts mixed with the noise of people. Koran stopped at a small bakery on the corner. Its front was made of old brick, and its door was half open, emitting the smell of hot sweet dumplings that filled the air with a familiar sweetness.
He approached and entered the bakery with quick steps. Inside, the oven was lit, and the old baker stood behind the table placing pieces of the sweet dumplings on a large tray. He raised his eyes to Koran and said with a tired smile:
"What can I get for you today?"
Koran smiled, then pointed to the dumplings and the strawberry cake placed behind the glass:
"I want the sweet dumplings and the strawberry cake."
The baker put what he asked for in two paper bags and handed them to him. Koran paid the money and thanked him, then left the bakery.
He walked back home with quick steps, feeling a childlike excitement inside. He imagined Diva's face when she would see the cake and the sweet dumplings, and he wished to see a real smile on her face after seeing her tears last night.
He reached the house, opened the door quietly, and entered the living room. There was nothing but the sound of the curtains rustling in the gentle breeze. He placed the two bags on the table in the middle, arranging the cake and the dumplings carefully, as if they were a precious gift.
Then he went straight to the kitchen, where he found his mother busy washing some dishes. He approached her quietly and said with a small smile:
"Close your eyes."
She turned to him, raising her eyebrows in surprise, but she laughed a little and covered her eyes with her hands:
"What is this?Do I smell sweet dumplings?"
Koran took her hand and lightly led her to the living room. He stopped in front of the table, then said, laughing:
"I hate your strong sense of smell."
When she lowered her hands and opened her eyes, she saw the cake and the dumplings in front of her. She put her hand over her mouth and smiled warmly. She sat on the chair, while Koran sat opposite her, and they began to cut the cake and share the dumplings.
While eating, they talked and laughed, and the sound of their laughter filled the room:
"Happy thirty-fifth birthday,"Koran said enthusiastically while holding a candle.
"Don't remind me, I'm getting older," Diva replied, laughing.
"Actually no, you still have at least 70 years to live. I want you to raise my grandchildren."
"Huh, is that so? And who will be their mother?"
A serious expression appeared on Koran's face.
"Mira."
Diva laughed while holding a sweet dumpling in her hand.
"I was sure you would say that."
Her laugh continued for some time until Diva stopped laughing and looked at the cake as if remembering something nice.
"Koran,did you know, my first date with your father... we ate sweet dumplings. Your father knew they were my favorite."
Koran smiled.
"Wow,it seems there could be something good about my father."
Diva stopped eating for a moment and answered Koran tenderly.
"Don't say that.Your father just went away for work. He will be back in five years."
Koran picked up a piece of cake and put it in his mother's mouth.
"Okay, now let's just live in this moment."
And the two continued eating and playing. After they finished the cake and dumplings, Diva wiped her hands with a napkin, then looked at Koran with a soft smile, while traces of laughter were still on her face. She thought it ended there, but Koran suddenly stood up, looked at her excitedly and said:
"Part two starts now!"
She raised her eyebrows in surprise, then asked hesitantly:
"You still have another surprise?"
He smiled as he headed for the door:
"I'm the surprise man! Put on your clothes, we're going to the amusement park!"
At first, Diva hesitated, but when she saw his insistence, she got up and went to her room. After a few minutes, she returned wearing a simple, clean dress and a light coat, her hair tied back carefully. Koran looked at her with admiration and said, pointing to the door:
"35 years, huh?"
They left the house together, the cool night air filling the streets. The city was lit by lanterns hanging on stone pillars, and the sounds of vendors and people were still present despite the late hour. Carts passed by occasionally, and children ran carrying colorful balloons.
The two walked down the street until they reached the gate of the amusement park. At the entrance, colored lights decorated the place, and sounds rose from the rides: shouts of joy, the sounds of wheels, and noise mixed with loud music.
Diva stopped at the gate, staring at the place in amazement, while Koran took her hand and pulled her inside, saying:
"Don't worry,you can still play."
Inside the park, they passed by stalls selling cotton candy and drinks, then reached the big Ferris wheel that rose high above the other rides, its lights shining with changing colors.
They stood in line until it was their turn, and they climbed into the metal seat. The worker closed the small door, then the wheel began to turn slowly, rising bit by bit, and the whole city was revealed below them.
Diva was looking down worriedly, while Koran smiled and said to her:
"Did dad ever bring you here before?"
She sighed, then turned to him and said:
"Actually,he didn't. But this will be my best memory, because I lived it with my son. Thank you, Koran."
Koran replied with a smile.
"You're welcome."
They sat silently for a few moments, only the sound of the wind and the turning wheel filling the air. Then Koran turned to her and said with sudden seriousness:
"Mom,I want to tell you something."
Diva was surprised by Koran's seriousness and asked:
"What is it?"
Koran looked at the park, which looked small from where they were sitting, then spoke in a serious voice:
"Thank you for being my mom,and for putting up with me all this time. I know I haven't been the son every mother dreams of. I've been very stubborn with you, we've argued a lot, I even said bad things to you. But you never hated me, you never avoided me like all the people who call me crazy."
A tear fell from Diva's eye, but Koran continued.
"I know what you're going through is hard.With dad being gone and the responsibility you face as a single mother. But I promise you that I will always be by your side. I'll even go see the psychiatrist."
Diva smiled, her eyes full of tears, and hugged Koran tightly.
"I love you son."
Koran answered with a calm smile.
"I love you too,Mom. Happy birthday."