Evren does not fail to notice the significance of the words “desert” and “home” in the same sentence. Her lips parting thoughtfully, she spends a few seconds mulling this over, but no detailed memories of their meeting in the desert rush back to explain them. The only reasonable explanation that Evren can think of is that Scylla had once lived in the desert with Orhan, and that they had been close in one way or another. Evren finds herself looking at Scylla in a new light as she wonders whether the two had been lovers. It is strange to even consider, and Evren feels the flutter of nerves in her gut.
Scylla’s apology is another piece in the puzzle, and Evren’s eyes widen in surprise as she listens to it. Now the memory of that day zaps her brain as if she has been struck by lightning. Scylla had accused her of lying about Orhan’s death, and Evren had risen to the bait. They had exchanged furious words, and then Evren had seen Scylla out of the desert. Evren doesn’t recall if Scylla had had a chance to explain her history with Orhan before their conversation had exploded into an argument, but she doesn’t think she did. From what she remembers now, their meeting had been brief.
Evren lets out a heavy breath into the cool evening air, and for a moment she is lost for words. She shifts her weight, and then her face cracks into a disbelieving smile. “Wow, Scylla… I mean, thanks for the apology, really, but that was a long time ago. Until you brought it up just now, I’d mostly forgotten it even happened. But I guess I owe you an apology too, for yelling at you that day. I was young and I definitely could have handled the situation better. We both could have. But grief is funny like that.” Evren offers Scylla another smile, this one soft and hopeful. “Also… Did I hear you right? Are we… related somehow?”
9; mutt; bay tobiano; 15.3hh |
