Azra adjusted the strap of her handbag as she stood at Ankara's central train station, her phone pressed against her ear. The hum of voices, the clatter of luggage wheels, and the distant sound of a departing train formed the backdrop to her conversation with Turna.
"So, you're really coming back?" Turna's voice held a mix of excitement and relief.
Azra smiled. "Yes, I'm at the station right now, just waiting for my train. I can't believe I'm finally done with college. It still feels surreal."
"You worked so hard for this, Azra. You deserve every bit of success that's coming your way."
Azra chuckled. "I hope so. But enough about me—how are things at the orphanage? How are the kids?"
Turna sighed softly. "The usual chaos. You know how they are. Hasan is still trying to act tough, but he secretly loves it when I read him bedtime stories. Zeynep lost one of her front teeth and won't stop showing it to everyone. Oh, and little Emre has taken a liking to painting! He says he wants to become an artist."
Azra's heart warmed at the thought of the children. She had spent most of her life in the orphanage before earning her scholarship to Ankara College. Even after leaving, she never forgot where she came from.
"That's wonderful," she said. "I can't wait to see them again. I've missed them so much."
"They miss you too. You're their big sister, after all."
"And you? How are you holding up?"
"Oh, you know me, keeping things in order as best as I can," Turna replied. "Someone has to, right?"
Azra laughed. "I don't doubt that for a second. You've always been the responsible one."
"Says the one who just graduated college on a scholarship."
Azra sighed. "I just need to find a job first."
"You will. With your grades and determination, companies will be lining up to hire you."
Azra sighed again. "I hope you're right."
Just as she was about to say more, a sudden movement caught her eye. In a blur, she felt a sharp tug on her handbag. A man had grabbed her purse and was sprinting away through the crowd.
"Hey! Stop!" Azra shouted, her heart racing as she instinctively took a step forward, but she knew she couldn't chase after him.
Before she could react further, another figure broke into a run. A tall, broad-shouldered man with striking features and sharp eyes took off after the thief. He moved swiftly, his long legs closing the distance between them.
The chase lasted only moments before the man caught up to the thief. Without hesitation, he grabbed the thief's collar and yanked him back. The thief yelped in surprise but had no chance to struggle before the man smacked him on his bald head.
"Go find a real job instead of stealing from women," the man said sternly.
The thief muttered something under his breath before scurrying away like a scolded child. With the purse now in his hand, the man turned and walked back toward Azra.
"Here's your purse," he said, extending it to her.
Azra took it, her breath still uneven from the rush of adrenaline. "Thank you so much for your help. May God bless you."
The man gave her a small smile. "Bless you too. By the way, I'm Yuzarsif."
Azra nodded. "Oh… Azra."
"Nice to meet you, Azra."
"Nice to meet you too, Yuzarsif. Thanks again. If it wasn't for you, I would have lost my purse to that thief."
Yuzarsif waved a hand dismissively. "Oh, don't mention it. It was just a matter of principle. You need to be more careful next time and not get distracted. Otherwise, you might lose more than just your purse."
Azra laughed, feeling the tension ease from her shoulders. "I'll try to be more vigilant."
They exchanged a few more words before the announcement for their train's departure echoed through the station. To Azra's surprise, Yuzarsif was boarding the same train to Istanbul.
Once they found their seats, Yuzarsif pulled out his laptop and immersed himself in his work. Azra, on the other hand, leaned back against her seat, exhaustion from the past few days finally catching up with her. The journey was long—almost five hours—and as the rhythmic motion of the train lulled her, she felt her eyelids growing heavy.
---
A Moment of Distraction
Just as Azra began to settle into the soothing sway of the train, her phone buzzed again, startling her. She groggily fumbled for it, still half-lost in the moment of relief from the earlier incident.
"Hello?" she answered, her voice still a bit shaky from the adrenaline.
"Azra? Is everything alright? I heard you scream just now. What happened?" It was Turna's voice again, filled with concern.
Azra blinked, momentarily disoriented. "Oh… yes, everything's fine. It's just… there was a thief. He tried to steal my purse, but a man stopped him."
"Thief?! Azra, are you alright? You're not hurt, are you?"
Azra rubbed her forehead, trying to gather her thoughts. "I'm fine, I promise. He grabbed my purse, but the man chased him down and got it back for me. It was pretty intense."
"A man, huh?" Turna's tone shifted, becoming teasing yet still concerned. "Did he at least look good? You know, for your safety, of course."
Azra laughed lightly, the nervous energy ebbing away. "I don't know, I wasn't exactly looking at him like that. But he was… handsome, I guess. He was tall, strong, and had this commanding presence. Definitely someone who knows how to handle himself."
"Sounds like a knight in shining armor," Turna remarked, her voice light. "You should thank him properly when you get the chance. I'm sure he saved your day."
"I did. He was very polite about it. Even gave me my purse back and warned me to be more careful next time."
"That's sweet. I bet you two will meet again, huh?"
Azra sighed, her smile fading slightly. "I don't know. I'm just glad everything's fine now. The train's moving, and I'm about to rest a bit. It's been a long day."
"Take care, Azra. I'll talk to you soon. Rest up and don't let anyone steal your purse again!" Turna laughed softly before hanging up.
Azra put the phone down and sank into her seat, eyes fluttering closed. The peaceful rocking of the train soon lulled her into a deep, dreamless sleep.
---
The Silent Observer
Across the aisle, Yuzarsif couldn't help but steal glances at the young woman sitting in the seat opposite him. He'd seen her struggle, her anxiousness, and the way she had composed herself after the incident. Her beauty was undeniable, but there was something else about her—an aura of strength, resilience, and kindness that tugged at his attention. As the train rumbled on, he found himself distracted by her presence.
He glanced at her once more, noting how her soft, black hair cascaded over her shoulders, and how her features—though delicate—held a quiet resolve. Her eyes, even when she wasn't looking, seemed to hold stories that were not easily read. She was resting now, her face calm and serene, free from the tension of the station. He couldn't recall the last time he'd been so captivated by someone.
Yuzarsif had met many people in his life—some beautiful, some strong, some unforgettable. But something about Azra intrigued him more than he expected. It wasn't just her outward appearance; it was the quiet determination that radiated from her even in her most vulnerable moments. She wasn't perfect, but there was an undeniable magnetism about her, something that made him want to know more.
He tried to focus on his work, opening his laptop and glancing at the screen. But his thoughts kept wandering back to her. He found himself distracted—he couldn't seem to get the image of her out of his mind. She seemed so… unassuming, yet there was a depth to her that he couldn't ignore.
Finally, Yuzarsif closed the laptop with a soft click, deciding that his mind would not be in the right place for work any longer. He leaned back against his seat and allowed his gaze to drift back toward Azra, unable to stop the lingering curiosity.
He couldn't explain it, but something told him this encounter was just the beginning. Something in her—something in him—had shifted, and for reasons he didn't fully understand, he was intrigued.
---
The hours passed in a haze. Azra remained asleep, her breathing slow and steady, while Yuzarsif kept sneaking looks at her. He tried to focus on the passing landscape outside, but his thoughts kept returning to her. How could someone be so beautiful and composed, even after everything that had happened? His mind raced with questions, but none of them had answers yet.
As the train continued its journey, Yuzarsif made a decision. He would see where this strange encounter might lead. Perhaps it was nothing—just another fleeting moment on a long journey. But deep down, he knew it was more than that.