Deniz hit the final note on his graduate recital and then it was all over. The packed recital hall all stood and applauded. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw his saxophone professor, who was clapping loudly than anyone. It was then that Deniz realized he killed it, and he beamed with pride.
He had to convince his father not to record it; it was live streamed and uploaded to a YouTube page that anyone could access. Deniz's father wanted their family back in Turkey to see it. He scanned the room for his parents and sister and they were clapping, and it didn't seem that his father broke any copyright laws. Deniz was even more relieved.
His parents took him out to dinner with his boyfriend afterward (who was his accompanist) and his mother couldn't stop asking what Deniz was planning next.
"I think I'm gonna go for my doctorate ma. I know I've got an ed degree, but I really want to teach at the collegiate level. I really need a doctorate for that. Saxophone is so competitive."
His French mother knew very well about performing, she herself was a cellist. His father was from Turkey, and they met in the states at college. Both had family in the US. His mother was actually a dual citizen, and his father immigrated before he was born.
Deniz's father Emir was a doctor, and his parents bickered over whether he should do music or medicine, but ultimately music won. However, Deniz did have a dual undergrad major in music education and biology.
It was late May, and Deniz was taking a rest from his studies before he moved to another city to start his doctorate. Craig, his boyfriend, was going with him; (Craig decided to get a doctorate in collaborative piano, and he was also excepted to the same college).
Deniz got a ring on his phone around 8:00am, and it quickly woke him up. It was his dad.
BABA
"Hey. I have a favor to ask you. Your second cousin Eren is getting married. Your grandfather is brothers with his grandfather. I was supposed to attend, but something has came up with work and I can't make it. I'll pay for the trip. Its next week."
Deniz looked at the text and groaned. His father's family lived in a small town about a two hour drive from Ankara. He hadn't been to Turkey since he was little, and only vaguely remembered Eren. His father usually went back for family events.
Deniz had nothing going on, and couldn't think of a good excuse to not go fast enough. Plus, Craig would be gone for the summer to teach at a music camp. Deniz messaged him back:
DENIZ
"Sure Baba, I'll go. But you know my Turkish is shit."
BABA
"Ha. Yeah I know. Eren's father Ahmet can pick you up at the airport. His English is decent, and Eren's too. Thanks Deniz! I owe you one."
A week later, Deniz landed in Ankara Turkey. Both Ahmet and Eren were present to pick him up, and they began to make the two hour journey to their town. Their English was definitely better than Deniz's Turkish.
"We watched your recital Deniz, your musical talents are amazing." Ahmet said, and Deniz's cousins were beaming at him wide-eyed.
"Uh, thanks. Yeah, dad wanted me to be a doctor but music was my calling. So, are you ready to get married Eren?"
Eren's smile faded and he looked a bit sad, but then turned back to Deniz and said "yes, she is the love of my life."
During the drive, Deniz learned that Ahmet was a farmer with his sons, and they owned a lot of property in the town. Eren and his wife were both 30. Deniz vaguely remembered Eren being older than him. Deniz thought of it a bit odd for Eren to be getting married so old. If he remembered correctly, it was common for people there to get married at his age, or younger (Deniz was 23).
They arrived in town, and Deniz was to stay at Ahmet's. That night they had a big feast, with several relatives from his father's family attending. Ela, Eren's fiancΓ© wasn't in attendance, as she was celebrating the upcoming nuptials with her own family. The wedding was two days away, and apparently an even bigger feast and party was to take place.
Eren spent a lot of time with Deniz, showing him pictures and documents in old albums in Eren's bedroom. Deniz realized Eren loved history and wanted to go the university to be a historian, but it simply wasn't meant to be. Eren was needed to help his father and brothers run the family farm.
Deniz spotted a picture of Eren, who looked a bit younger, with a pretty young woman. "Is this Ela?" He asked.
Eren's eyes got huge and quickly put his hand on the picture, covering it, before placing his hands in his face. His eyes started to water.
Deniz quickly realized that it wasn't Ela, and excused himself to the bathroom. When we returned, the door to Eren's room was shut.
"Ok, whatever that was about, he needs space."
Deniz was tired anyway, and tomorrow he was to attend a wedding.
That night, Eren had a nightmare. He saw Ceren. Seeing her face in the picture probably put the image back in his mind. Ceren was pleading with her father. Begging him to change his mind. But to no avail. The next part of the dream was Eren watching her get married, and he was not her groom.
Deniz had never attended a traditional Turkish wedding. He found it interesting and liked the tradition. Eren seemed to be in better spirits, and his embrace with Ela was lovely and genuine.