5 - Cousin Reunion

Manolya´s POV

The moment I stepped out on the airport terminal, a wall of hot, humid air pricked my nostrils, thick with jet fuel, blooming jasmine, and wet concrete.

Rain pattered softly from the stormy sky, the clouds still heavy from the morning’s downpour.

My eyes darted to the exit, and there they were, my three cousins, each gripping a sleek black rolling bag, the kind with a top handle that clicks just right.

Pelin, my age, stood tall and composed, while Adem and Adlee, her twin brothers, bounced on their toes like wound-up springs, black sneakers tapping the polished floor in sync. Their grins stretched wide, and I couldn’t help but smile back.

“Manolya!” Pelin called, her voice cutting through the buzz of the crowd, sharp and clear over the rain’s soft drum. She looked effortlessly cool in her all-black outfit, white-striped sweatpants and a zip-up hoodie.

I felt a little self-conscious in my flowy green dress, the hem brushing my knees, damp from the misty air.

Her light brown, straight hair were swept into a high ponytail, mirroring mine, though hers had a sleek, confident edge I could never pull off.

“Pelin!” I bolted toward her, throwing my arms around her. She smelled like vanilla and home, that sweet perfume sinking into my bones. “I missed you so much!”

“Missed you too!” She hugged me back looking up with bright, energetic blue eyes, batting her long eyelashes and spinning me until my dress flared out, raindrops catching in the fabric. “God, it’s been forever!”

I laughed, letting go, though her warmth lingered like a shield against the dread I’d woken up with. For a second, I could forget Ayla’s tear-streaked face and Ipek’s empty house.

“Selamün Aleyküm (Peace be upon you), you little terrors!” I grinned at Adem and Adlee, tossing out the greeting to match their buzzing energy.

“Aleyküm Selam!” (And upon you be peace) they chirped in unison. Adlee nudged me with his elbow, smirking. “What, no hugs for us? Rude, Manolya!”

“Oh, please!” I swatted him away, laughing. “Go hug someone else. Pelin’s mine!”

Adlee stuck out his tongue, scrunching his nose, and Adem mimicked him until we all doubled over, clutching our sides as giggles spilled out.

The airport spun with noise, announcements crackling, bags rolling, rain tapping the glass roof, but for a moment, it was just us.

“So, how was the flight?” I asked, catching my breath as we dodged a crowd, rain misting our faces.

Pelin rolled her eyes, flicking a glance at the twins. “Survivable. Barely. Keeping these two from turning the plane into their personal playground? Absolute nightmare. Adem nearly convinced a flight attendant to let the pilot allow him to fly the plane for us.”

“Come on, sis!” Adem darted around her, smirking, his burgundy sweats flashing in the dim light. “We just wanted to see the cockpit!”

“Yeah, no fun!” Adlee added, rocking on his heels.

Pelin shot me a crooked smile. “See my pain? Şükürler olsun, (Thank heavens) it’s two against two now. Girls versus those terrors, right?”

“Totally,” I said, grinning. “But focus, you gremlins. Uncle Eren’s picking up something for a client, and we’re tagging along. Old stuff, weird vibes—you’ll love it. But after lunch, we’re searching for Ipek, Ayla’s sister. She’s missing.”

Adlee’s eyes widened, his bounce stopping. “Missing? Since when? Isn’t she pregnant?”

I nodded, my throat tightening as rain streaked down the terminal windows. “She didn’t come home last night. It’s not like her to vanish. Ayla came over this morning—she’d been out all night looking for her. Our town’s small; we’ll find her. We have to.” My voice wavered, and I swallowed hard. What if she wasn’t okay?

Pelin grabbed her bag with her jaw set. “Let’s go, then. The sooner we’re with Uncle Eren, the sooner we can help Ayla.”

We hustled to the curb where Uncle Eren’s red Mustang idled, its engine purring low, rain glistening on its hood. Adem flung his bag in the trunk and slid into the backseat, chattering. “Finally here! This is gonna be an epic summer break!”

“So epic!” Adlee echoed, climbing in beside him, his sneakers squeaking from being wet down by the rain.