Summary: At the hospital private room, Hamid and Daphne spend the day doing nothing but watching TV and talking.
“Done,” Daphne beamed as she hung up the phone. “The jet will be here to take me back to Edgewater in three days, right after breakfast.”
“Thank you,” Hamid enveloped his girlfriend in a tight embrace.
“Now I have to call the hotel to extend my stay for two more days.”
She was about to search for the hotel phone number, but Hamid snatched the device from her hands.
“You don’t need to do that.”
“Yes, I do.”
“No, you don’t.”
“Hamid, I’m not going to stay at your family’s house, given that your mother doesn’t even know I exist.”
He let out a rueful laugh. “Oh, she knows. The only thing she doesn’t know is that our relationship isn’t just a fling like she assumes it is.”
“Gee, I wonder why,” she rested her chin in one hand and narrowed her eyes. “Maybe it’s because you ran to the hills when she tried to press for information,” she taunted.
“This is slander, Lady Daphne! I did not run,” he playfully glared at her. “I go on this trip with my friends from uni every year and anne¹ didn’t ask anything. I can call several witnesses to prove it.”
“Uh-huh,” she gave him a side glance, still smiling.
Still pretending to be annoyed, his face turned into a scowl whilst his hand slowly delved under her coat and moved up, reaching for the spots on her body where she’s ticklish. Daphne squealed and tried to pull away, but he held her in place. His fingers pulled her scarf away and softly grazed her skin. He leaned in to place small kisses on her neck that quickly grew deeper.
She lolled her head back as tingles ran down her spine. “I thought you were going to torture me because I called you out.”
“Who says I’m not?” He whispered, pushed her coat off her shoulders, throwing it on the nearest chair as his lips moving up to her ear.
“Stop it,” she scolded and slapped one of his hands away as he tried to reach under her sweater.
He pulled away with laughing.
“We’re in a hospital because you just had a surgery and we’re not passing first base.”
“That was almost thirty-six hours ago,” he scoffed.
“And you’re still not off the hook, Osmanoğlu. I have to call the hotel.”
“I know,” he kissed her cheek. “I’ll talk to anne when she arrives and handle your stay here. I asked you to extend your visit, it’s the least I can do. Don’t worry about it, okay?”
“Okay.”
“Now, about those baseball metaphors,” he said, placing his hands on her waist. “I never memorized all the bases.” He peppered kisses along her jaw then pressed his lips on hers. “You’ll have to explain the rules more thoroughly to me if you want me to follow them,” he murmured and winked.
Daphne shoved him playfully. “You only need to know the first one, which what we were doing and nothing is going to happen beyond that.”
“But you said your mission here is to distract me. I’m just doing what we usually do to distract each other,” he grinned, resting one hand on her hip.
“Nice try, but this isn’t a Grey’s Anatomy episode. Settle down,” she said, pushing his hand away.
He chuckled. “Fine. What should we do now?”
“We’re going to watch TV.”
“Well, in this case, I want to watch the game I missed,” he reached for his mobile on the side table and started searching for his favourite team football match on sports channels.
“You haven’t watched it yet?”
“I tried, but as you know, I spent most of the time sleeping yesterday because of the meds.”
“Perhaps we could start watching something lighter right now and then we go to the heavy stuff.”
“Heavy stuff? What is that suppose to mean?”
“Nothing. You just get overly excited about football and I thought it’d be wiser to watch something else.”
“No, I still prefer to watch the game now.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, I’m—” he trailed off as he noticed her making a face. “What?”
“Nothing.”
“That face doesn’t mean nothing. Did you watch it?”
“Maybe…”
“Maybe?”
“I was impatient because you didn’t call me, so, during the movie marathon with my brothers, I watched a few clips on Eurosport app and checked the score from time to time. I thought you haven’t called me then because the match was exciting and you lost track of time.”
“Was it exciting?”
“Um…” She scratched the back of her neck. “That depends on what you call exciting.”
“Did something happened during the game?” He lifted one hand up to stop his girlfriend from saying anything. “On second thought, nevermind. I don’t want to know. I’m watching the game anyway.”
“Okay,” Daphne shrugged, pressing her lips together to hide a smile.
A couple of hours later, an outraged Hamid balled both hands into fists as the football match ended. “Arrrgh!!! Dalyarak!” He yelled, turning off the TV. When he looked to the side, he spotted his girlfriend sitting the chair near his bed covering her mouth with one hand. “Daphne?”
“Mmm?” She looked up at her boyfriend.
“You can stop pretending you’re not laughing. I can hear your giggles from up here, you know.”
She stood up and sat on the bed with him, still trying to stifle a smile. “I’m sorry.”
“What an awful game,” he groaned in frustration. “An even score of zero?! Ugh…”
“That’s how sports work,” she said, idly combing his hair with her fingers. “Some days your favourite team is the best and some other days the opposite team is best.”
He glanced at her with a curious look. “I thought you’d be mad at me.”
“How come?”
“I got injured, made you cry and lose sleep just because of this game. I expected some scolding at the very least.”
“I won’t scold you. I wish you haven’t done that, but I’m not going to lash out at you because you trusted your experience driving on wet roads to go back home and watch a football match. I just want you to learn something from all this,” she answered, kissing his temple. “Besides, I think the fact that you injured your ankle, you can’t drive or make any long-distance travels and Beşiktaş not getting qualified to join Euro Cup will have a bigger effect on you than my scolding.”
He grimaced. “Did you really have to rub it on my face?”
“Mmhmm.”
Hamid placed a hand on his chest, pretending to be wounded. “You’re hurting me.”
“Aww…” She cupped his face and leaned in to give him a kiss. “All better?”
“I’ll probably survive if you give me a few more of those,” he pouted.
Still grinning, she pulled him closer, dotting kisses over his face until a soft chuckle escaped his lips.
“Will you join me in here so we watch something together?”
“Sure.” She hugged his arm, sighing contently. But as he grabbed the remote control to turn on the TV again, something piqued her curiosity. “Hamidciğim?”²
“Yes?”
“What does that word you were yelling during the game mean?”
His eyes went round, but he quickly composed himself. “Which one?”
“Dal… Dalyal…” She squinted her eyes trying to remember the word.
“Oh… That one,” he scratched the back of his head.
“It’s a swear word, isn’t it?”
He averted his gaze as his cheeks begun to flush crimson.
“I knew it,” she smirked and pulled him closer as he shook his head. “Don’t be embarrassed. I’ve seen you say profanities several times. I just noticed you say that one a lot when you’re watching football.”
“Yeah, I guess you’re right…” He simpered. “It means jerk.”
“That’s it? Why are you so flustered then?”
“Because I had a mental image of its literal translation.”
“Which is…?”
“I’m not going to say it.”
“Why not?”
“Because it’s obscene.”
“All swear words are.”
“Believe me, swear words in Turkish reach a whole new level of obscenity.”
“Oh, now I’m even more curious.” A broad grin spread on her face.
“Allah, Allah…” His eyes went upwards.
“You don’t have to tell me about the other words. Just that one you were yelling. Please?”
“No.”
“Pretty please?” She batted her lashes.
“Fine,” he sighed, facepalming before clearing his throat to speak. “Dalyarak means dick swinger.”
Her jaw dropped.
“I know.”
“That’s wild…” A broad grin spread on her lips. “And so awesome.”
“You’re joking, right?”
“No. I like it. It’s unique.”
“And highly offensive.”
“Exactly!” She enthused.
Hamid burst out laughing. “You’re so weird. In the best possible way I could’ve ever imagined someone would be, of course. But still really weird.”
“You’re welcome,” she beamed.
Hamid guffawed, then cupped her chin, kissing her softly. “All right, let’s return to our day watching TV. What’s your suggestion?”
“I’m so glad you asked,” she smirked and picked her phone, opening Quickflix app and tapping the first option on the screen.
“Love Island UK?” He cocked an eyebrow.
“Yes. There’s drama, comedy, fights and beautiful people. What more do we need?” She beamed and pressed play.
He gave her an amused look.
“Don’t judge me. I was waiting for the jet to arrive and a girl at the airport was fangirling at the couple who won the first season because they were there waiting for a flight to the Bahamas and she got me addicted to it.”
He chortled. “Okay, let’s see what’s the deal with this reality show.”
Lying down on the bed, the couple began to watch the show, making jokes and comments about it. Before they knew, several hours passed and they were completely drawn to it, only making pauses for meals, bathroom breaks or whenever a nurse came in to check on Hamid.
“Did he really couple up with Jane without talking to Jen? Ugh…” Daphne curled her lips in a scowl.
“I guess he’s not that good with discussing relationships. But Jen also sensed Levi was going to pick Jane. She could’ve talked to him about that,” he commented.
“Yeah… Maybe she was hoping he’d change his mind about Jane and stay with her?”
“Maybe… Either way, he was the one who had to break up. Jane is right to call him out,” he glanced at the TV for a second and smirked. “Though it looks likes all is forgiven between them.”
“How so?”
Hamid nodded towards the screen. In the show, the couple they just talked about shared a hungry kiss while disrobing each other and getting into bed.
“It’s weird how they sleep with people they met for less than two weeks…”
“I guess notions of time and intimacy change for people trapped in a villa with someone they’re attracted to twenty-four seven. Besides, both of them mentioned they had one night stands before, so it wouldn’t be so unexpected of them to celebrate the fact they’re finally together with sex.”
Daphne glanced at the TV screen and at her boyfriend and blushed softly.
He smirked. “What is it?”
“I didn’t say anything.”
“But that curious look on your face says a lot,” he implied.
“I don’t have a look,” she objected.
“Yes, you do.”
“I do not!”
“Daphne, whatever it is, you can ask me. I don’t mind,” he said, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear.
After a brief silence, she gazed at her boyfriend. “Have you had one night stands?”
“Yes. It’s not my style though.”
“Really?” Her eyes went wide.
“Should I be worried that you’re surprised?” A corner of his mouth quirked up.
“No! I just…” She furrowed her brows, trying to choose her words carefully without showing how embarrassed she felt. “You’re so handsome and popular, you’re a flirt by nature… I thought you’d have some casual dates from time to time.”
“I did. And yes, I do use those traits to get what I want and I can’t deny these casual encounters fulfil their propose of momentaneous relief and pleasure. But there’s something about being with someone I truly care about ignites desire in a way it wouldn’t happen with a person I just met. The exchange of looks, the touch, the smell… It’s different. More meaningful, more passionate,” he smiled softly as he spoke.
“I agree. Though I never had one night stands, so I’m not the best person to give opinions about it.” Daphne gave her shoulders.
“Your opinion is absolutely valid to me, aşkım,” Hamid whispered, caressing her chin.
“Thank you,” she beamed, leaning closer to him until her lips pillowed on his, smiling as he responded by deepening the kiss and pressing her body against him. “You know what?” She uttered between kisses.
“What?” He murmured, his hot breath eliciting gooseflesh on her skin.
“I don’t feel like watching TV anymore.”
Hamid pulled away with a mischievous look.
“Don’t get any ideas, smart-arse. I just want to cuddle with you until we fall asleep,” she pursed her lips.
He chuckled and turned off the lights, then cradled his girlfriend in his arms.
“Are you comfortable? Do you need anything?” She asked, cupping his cheek.
“I’m fine.”
“Are you sure? I’m a tiny person and the settee isn’t all bad.”
“Yes. You’re not sleeping on a settee when there’s plenty of space here for you to sleep with me.”
“No, there is not. We’ll have to stay glued to each other all night to fit here,” she corrected.
“Which is my favourite part of all this,” he grinned, kissing her forehead.
Daphne smiled, drawing imaginary shapes on his chest. “This is the first time we’re sleeping together.”
“I don’t know. You fell asleep several times when we did movie marathons in Ithaca,” he teased.
“It doesn’t count if you didn’t sleep too.”
“Your sofa is quite cosy, but I don’t remember being invited to stay over.”
“I know…” She chewed on a nail. “But I wanted you to stay.”
“Did you?”
“Yes! I wanted you to stay every single time you tucked me in bed, kissed my cheek and left.”
“Excuse me?” He stared at her confused. “How do you even know that? You were asleep, weren’t you?”
She shook her head grinning.
He gasped, feigning shock. “You lied to me.”
“Sorry,” she replied coyly.
“I will once you tell me why you didn’t ask me to stay.”
Daphne gaped at him, brushing her fingertips softly on his features before speaking. “Because I was afraid of going too fast. I want you ever since we went to the drive-in, but I told myself it was just a crush and fought against it. Every time you asked me out, I thought about saying no, but I wanted to see you and the more I know you, the harder it gets to resist you. I’m still scared of going too fast, by the way. But I want you. And sleeping with you tonight is bittersweet to me because I’ve been dreaming about this for almost two months, yet we’re here on a hospital bed with you wearing a CAM boot so you won’t hurt your ankle on your sleep.”
Hamid lied on his back, staring blankly at the ceiling for several minutes. “You like me. You truly like me…” He blurted.
“That’s putting it mildly,” she simpered.
“I knew that was something about the way you kiss me,” he mused as if thinking out loud, touching his own lips softly. “But at some point, I thought I was seeing what I wanted to see.”
“I wasn’t playing hard to get on purpose,” she frowned. “I just didn’t know what to do with all these feelings.”
He shifted on the bed to look at her. “It’s okay. I still think you’re worth the wait, aşkım.”
Pulling him by the neck, she brought his lips to hers, revelling in the warmth of his body under the covers and feeling him smile into the kiss. After another lingering kiss, her hand wandered up, playing with his hair.
He let out a yawn. “Are you trying to make me sleep?”
“Maybe?”
He chuckled. “I can’t sleep now. I still need to know one thing.”
“What?”
“You said you’ve dreamt about this moment and I want to know how you imagined our first time sleeping together would be like,” he smiled slyly.
“Hamid…” She buried to hide her face on his chest.
“If you tell me yours, I’ll tell you mine.”
“Okay, but let’s keep it PG-13, please.”
“Well, this is hard enough as it is, so…” He shrugged. “Sure. No explicit details.”
“Thank you,” she cleared her throat. “I thought it would’ve happened back in Ithaca after one of our movie nights. I’d fall asleep as usual and you’d carry me to bed. But instead of letting you leave, I’d hold your hand and ask you to stay. So you’d join me in bed and cuddle with me until we drift off.”
“Hmm… I don’t see why you were so shy to tell me this. Nothing happens.”
“Because I stopped the story right there on purpose.”
“So it’d happen in the middle of the night?” He grinned.
She nodded, looking down.
“How?”
“We agreed to no explicit details!” She hissed.
“I didn’t say it has to be explicit. You can simply tell me who initiates it and how. Please?” Hamid gave her his winning smile.
“Fine,” Daphne shook her head, but her lips curled up. “I did.”
“You?” His brows went up in a mix of amusement and surprise.
“My turf, my rules.”
“Fair enough. How?”
“I’d wake up and start to kiss your cheeks, your neck, your shoulders. Then you’d wake up, kiss me back and we would go from there.”
“This is a nice dream,” he said, caressing her back.
“Thanks. Now tell me yours.”
A slow smile played on his lips as he began to speak. “I’d invite you to join me on one of my business trips. Somewhere with a breathtaking view like New York, Tokyo, Sydney or Rio. But you’d arrive later and text me when you’re in our hotel suite. I’d leave everything behind to meet you there and find you gazing out the city. I’d rush to wrap my arms around you and kiss you until we were both breathless.”
“I assume the sleeping part would come after that, but I was wondering,” she nibbled her bottom lip. “We would do it right there against the window or we would move it to the bed?”
“I thought you didn’t want explicit details,” he grinned.
“This is not so explicit.”
“It is because knowing where makes it easier to imagine positions, but okay,” he chortled. “Both.”
“Both?”
“You don’t think I’ll be completely satisfied if I can only make you come once, do you?”
Her mouth fell open as heat rose on her skin, making her cheeks and cleavage flush.
“I think we need to finish this conversation right here,” he suggested, still smiling.
“Agreed,” she mumbled.
Adjusting themselves on the bed, their arms tightened the embrace as the two of them relish each other’s company.
“Hamidciğim?”
“Mmm?”
“I hope our dreams come true soon,” she murmured, stifling a yawn.
He stroked her hair gently and sighed. “Me too.”
_____
¹ Mom
² My dear Hamid
