[ENTRY 117..✍️]

"And when you slammed the front door shut, a lot of others opened up. So did my eyes so I could see, that you never were the best for me."

The night was nearing its darkest and quietest peak, her favourite part of the day. Although she would love to talk more and chat until sunrise, she knew she was in the company of a disciplined man whose sleep, she reckoned, he wouldn't allow to be compromised due to the nature of his job.

"Before I sleep," the recording began as soon as she pressed the play button. "I would like to say that I hope you have a wonderful night," the ever so calm and raspy voice—now coated with fatigue—continued. "And I really appreciate that you took the time to talk to me despite your busy schedule. And I hope to talk to you tomorrow, and.." She smiled at this, flattered that he enjoyed her company and how he sounded a bit sheepishly hopeful. "...see you soon," he finished.

Already, she could see the direction of where this journey was going for it was always the same, anyway. But instead of the melancholy one feels at the thought of a story's ending, she felt a little excitement instead. In her turn, she pressed the microphone button to record her response and said: "I have a feeling that if we'd talk on a daily basis, it would lead to…" she trailed off, chuckling a shy sound before managing to finish her sentence. "...attachment." Pressing send, she mildly rethought what she said. They had never talked about such sentimentalities before. Prior to this, they were literally just discussing about snakes and worms. Shaking it off, she added: "Anywatty, nanight."

"I do have the same feeling as you that if we talked regularly—" a short and quiet laugh interrupted his flow "—that would definitely lead to an attachment. At least for me. But, is that a bad thing? I mean, if you and I like each other.. I think, I think maybe.. that would be good."

She had always believed she couldn't blush because of the shade of her complexion but right at that moment, hearing the hopefulness and sincerity in his deep and low voice, so genuine and earnest—she felt as though her cheeks turned into crimson.

"But yes, you're right," went the military man. "I… Goodnight. Hope you sleep tight, Bliss. And, uhm. Yeah. Have a good night." He let out a shy chuckle himself before terminating the message.

But just when she thought that was the last of it, another bit followed a minute after, which sent her stomach into twitterpatters.

"I may or may not be thinking of you…" his raspy voice started once more, a most beautiful sound she immediately took a liking from the moment he spoke to her for the very first time a few days ago. After a two-second pause, at last, he went on and said: "I will."

Call her easy to charm if one must, but these last two words of his, so short and simple, made quite an effect on her, greater than a blush.

She didn't reply right away. She didn't want to prolong the conversation and in turn, steal more time of his needed rest. So it wasn't until four hours later, when she was sure he was finally in his slumber, that she gave an answer.

"Oh no, Kal," came her mumbled reply after replaying his last recordings. She was feeling quite sleepy herself. "What have you done to me? You're starting to make me smile like an idiot now .."

And so another man, equally tall and good-looking as the last, was occupying her thoughts and blocking the sense of loss she should be feeling. She wasn't sure if it was just the elevated dopamine of the possibility of this fresh romance, but she couldn't recall Erwin ever making her giddy and smile this way.

Ahmet's Dear Diary