Written By Destiny

Lana’s POV

I sat at my study table, the tip of my pencil gliding across the page as I sketched the final touches of my thesis project. The quiet hum of the morning surrounded me, but my thoughts drifted far beyond the lines I was drawing. This was my last year at university. In just a few months, I would graduate. A chapter of my life was ending, and a new one was waiting but what would it hold? The thought wrapped around my heart like an invisible thread of uncertainty.

Before I could get lost in my thoughts any further, a familiar voice pulled me back.

“Lana, my beloved daughter!”

It was Baba, calling from downstairs. “Come and have breakfast, sweetheart.”

I blinked, shaking off the weight of my thoughts, and quickly got up. After freshening up, I hurried downstairs, the scent of warm bread and freshly brewed tea guiding me to the kitchen. I saw Mama, her hands moving with practiced ease as she prepared breakfast.

Smiling, I walked straight to the living room, where Baba sat in his usual spot, his newspaper in hand. Without hesitation, I rushed to him and sat beside him on the couch, a bright smile lighting up my face.

“Assalamualaikum, Baba,” I greeted warmly.

He set his newspaper aside and turned to me, his gaze softening. Placing a gentle hand on my shoulder, he pulled me into a side hug.

“Wa Alaikum Assalam, my precious one,” he replied, his voice filled with warmth. “Tell me, my dear, are your designs ready for your thesis?”

I smiled. “Almost, Baba. In Sha Allah, I’ll finish them today.”

Baba nodded approvingly. “That’s my daughter.”

Before we could continue talking, Mama’s voice rang out from the kitchen.

“Come quickly, breakfast is ready!”

Chuckling, Baba patted my shoulder and stood up. “Let’s go, my sweet daughter. We wouldn’t want our breakfast to get cold while we’re busy talking, or else Mama will scold me.”

I laughed, shaking my head. “Yes, Baba, let’s go before that happens!”

Hand in hand, we made our way to the dining table. Baba took his usual seat at the head, while I walked over to Mama and wrapped my arms around her in a warm hug.

“Assalamualaikum, Mama! How are you, my beloved Mama?”

She looked at me with loving eyes, pressing a soft kiss to my forehead. “Wa Alaikum Assalam, my love. Alhamdulillah, I am well. And how are you ?”

I sighed, taking my seat beside her. “Alhamdulillah, Mama. But I’m a little exhausted because of my thesis.”

Baba watched us with a smile before speaking. “The food is getting cold! Let’s eat first and talk later. Otherwise, Mama will say that breakfast is ruined, and this time, it won’t be my fault.”

Mama raised an eyebrow at him playfully, while I giggled. “Wallahi, you both argue like children,” I teased, shaking my head.

Then, with a soft smile, I reached for both of their hands and squeezed them gently. “My beloved Baba, my beloved Mama—I love you both so much.”

Baba and Mama returned my smile, squeezing my hands in return. “We love you too, our precious daughter.” They pulled me into a warm embrace, each placing a gentle kiss on my head.

Mama clapped her hands. “Now, now, let’s eat before everything turns cold!”

We all took our seats as Mama began serving the food. Mama sat opposite me, and breakfast began with warmth and tradition.

Before taking a bite, Baba recited “Bismillah” and then broke a piece of bread, splitting it into two halves. One piece, he placed on Mama’s plate, and the other, he set on mine.

It was a cherished Turkish tradition a sign of love and respect, passed down through generations. Many had forgotten it, but Baba never did.

I watched him, my heart swelling with love.

After breakfast, we all moved to the living room. Baba sat on the couch, his laptop open as he focused on his work. I settled beside him, flipping through my research for my thesis. Mama joined us a little later, finally taking a break from the kitchen as she sat down with a cup of tea.

As I jotted down some notes, Baba glanced at me and asked, “You don’t have university today? I don’t see your crime partner around.”

I chuckled, already knowing who he was talking about. “I do have to go, Baba, but I have no idea about Savaş. If I ask him, he says he’ll come, but when I call him in the morning, he never picks up. And honestly, I doubt he’ll be awake before Zuhur. There was a bike racing match last night, and, well… waking up early was never his thing anyway.”

As Baba and Mama laughed at my comment, a familiar voice filled the room.

“Wow, everyone’s laughing without me?”

I looked up to see Savaş standing at the doorway, his usual playful smirk in place.

Baba smiled as Savaş walked over and greeted him with a warm “Assalamualaikum, Baba.”

Baba returned his Salam, patting his back. “Wa Alaikum Assalam, My Boy.”

Savaş then turned to Mama, leaning down slightly to kiss the top of her head as he always did. “And how’s my mother doing?”

Mama chuckled, playfully swatting his arm. “Late, as usual!”

I shook my head with a knowing smile. That was Savaş—forever unpredictable but always showing up when it mattered.

Savaş wasn’t just a friend; he was family. His father had been Baba’s closest friend and business partner, and our families had always been inseparable. Trips together, dinners, celebrations—our lives had always been intertwined. Baba and Mama had never let him feel like he didn’t belong. They treated him as their own, standing by him through everything, just as they did for me. No matter what problem arose, we faced it together, as a family.

He never felt like he wasn’t a part of the family. Baba and Mama never let him feel that way. We always stood by his side, just like a real family. Even Savaş loved us deeply, and we loved him just as much. No matter what the situation was, we always supported each other. From childhood to now, we had traveled together many times, making unforgettable memories. Even now, at least once a year, we went somewhere together, cherishing every moment as if nothing had changed.

Many years ago, when Savaş and I were still children, his parents were killed in a car accident. Or rather, it was no accident at all. Their deaths were orchestrated by a business rival, a ruthless man who had wanted them gone. It had shattered everything.

After that, Baba and Mama took Savaş in as their own, raising him like a son. We grew up together, always looking out for each other. He is the same age as me, but somehow, he always acted like I needed his protection. And maybe, sometimes, I did.

For years, he had lived with us. But as he got older, he insisted on moving back to his family house, holding onto the last piece of his parents’ memories. Baba never argued, even though I knew he wanted Savaş to stay.

Yet, no matter where he lived, one thing remained unchanged our bond. We weren’t just family in name; we lived like one in every way.

I smirked at him. “You finally woke up?”

Savaş rolled his eyes as he dropped onto the couch beside me. “I was up before you even called, thank you very much.”

Baba raised an eyebrow. “Really? Then why did you miss your morning call?”

Savaş let out a dramatic sigh. “Baba, I was exhausted! You know how intense last night’s race was.”

Mama shook her head. “And whose fault is that?”

He grinned, shameless. “Mine, obviously.”

I crossed my arms, eyeing him suspiciously. “So, tell me, how was the match? Did you win or lose? And don’t even think about lying if you wasted your whole night and didn’t win, you’re getting a beating from me.”

Baba chuckled. “Exactly! You’re my champion, but if you lost, even my slipper knows where to land.”

Everyone burst into laughter at Baba’s words.

Mama shook her head with a smile. “A Lana is a Lana, but your Baba is no less either when it comes to teasing.”

Savaş leaned back, a confident grin on his face. “Baba, I am your son and your champion. Do you really think I would return without winning? Do you think I would let someone else take the victory from me? I am Mohammad Selim’s son Mohammad Savaş!”

Baba’s face lit up with pride as he nodded. “That’s my boy! It is impossible for my son to ever lose. I have complete faith in you. Now, come here, my champion let me hug the victor properly!”

Everyone laughed at Baba’s words, and Savaş stood up, stepping forward. As Baba pulled him into a warm embrace, Savaş closed his eyes for a moment, letting himself sink into the comfort of it. It felt good safe, like home.

They were both beaming with happiness, their bond evident in the way Baba held him with fatherly pride.

I clapped my hands together, grinning. “Well then, that means we’re celebrating tonight! A victory like this calls for a party. Let’s go out for dinner!”

Savaş smirked. “Finally, you’re saying something smart.”

Mama chuckled. “That’s a great idea. It’s been a while since we all went out together.”

Baba nodded. “Then it’s settled. Tonight, we celebrate!”

I sighed, glancing at Mama. “We’ll celebrate later, but first, get him some breakfast. I’m already late for university!”

Mama’s eyes widened as she suddenly remembered. “Oh no! I completely forgot. I got so caught up in our conversation that I lost track of time. You need to leave right now!”

She quickly turned to Savaş. “Come on, Savaş, sit at the dining table. I’ll bring your breakfast right away.”

Savaş just grinned, completely unbothered. “Let’s go, Mama,” he said, following her casually while I struggled to keep up with the morning rush.

As I hurried to grab my things, I glanced at Savaş and sighed. “Hurry up and eat, we’re getting late!”

He let out a dramatic sigh. “Can I ever eat in peace?”

I crossed my arms, unimpressed. “Don’t blame me! I’m not the one who made you late you showed up late yourself.”

He smirked, clearly amused. “Alright, alright! Give me five minutes. Just be ready by then.”

I rolled my eyes but didn’t argue. Typical Savaş always taking his time while I had to rush.

After he finished eating, we got ready for university. Before leaving, I hugged Baba, who placed a gentle kiss on my forehead. Then, I hugged Mama as well. Savaş did the same, and before we stepped out, Mama recited a dua and blew over us for protection.

We said while leaving “Allah Hafiz” Baba and Mama

“Fi Amanillah,” she said with a warm smile as we left.

Savaş, of course, hopped onto his bike, while I got into my car.

It wasn’t that I couldn’t ride a bike I absolutely could. In fact, Savaş and I often rode together. But no one in the house knew about that. Not Baba, not Mama. It was our little secret.

At night, when the world quieted down, we would sneak out, racing through the empty streets, drifting, riding, feeling the wind against our faces. No one had a clue.

It wasn’t just about the thrill it was in our blood. Baba had done the same in his youth, though now he tried to act all responsible. But genetics are genetics, right? We had inherited his wild streak, whether he liked it or not.

Savaş’s POV

Sitting on my bike, I smirked at Lana. “What’s wrong? Not coming on Baba’s bike today?”

She scoffed. “In case you’ve forgotten, no one in the house knows we even ride let alone that we go drifting at night.”

I shrugged. “And? They still don’t know, do they?”

She rolled her eyes. “If they ever find out, we’re done for. Especially you! Baba will punish you first for knowing everything and still not stopping me.”

I sighed, looking up at the sky. “Ya Allah, please save us and have mercy on me. If Baba finds out, I’ll be the first to get scolded.”

Lana chuckled teasingly. “That’s what you get for being my partner in crime.”

“Oh, really? That’s how it is?” I shot back playfully.

Before she could respond, we exchanged a knowing look and just like that, we took off, racing each other down the road. Wind rushed past us as we pushed our bikes to their limits, neither of us willing to back down. But, as always, we reached the university at the same time.

After parking, we headed to our respective classes. Lana was studying interior design, while I was majoring in architecture.

Baba wanted me to complete my degree and join the family business, and he expected Lana to do the same. But she had other plans she wanted to start her own business.

For now, though, we had just one goal: surviving the last few months of university. Hopefully, without getting caught for our late-night adventures.

As I walked into class, I finally checked my schedule and my heart nearly stopped.

The test.

The architecture and interior design majors had a combined test today in the exam hall.

“Oh no… I completely forgot!” I groaned, running a hand through my hair. “I was so focused on the competition that I didn’t even think about studying!”

Panic settled in as I made my way to my seat, whispering prayers under my breath. Ya Allah, please save me. If I fail this, I’m doomed!

And then, I spotted Lana sitting right beside me.

Alhamdulillah, she’s here!

I leaned over and whispered, “Lana… did you study for the test?”

She glanced at me and raised an eyebrow. “Yeah, I did. Don’t tell me you didn’t.”

I scratched my head sheepishly. “Uh… I might’ve forgotten because of the competition. Please help me!”

And that… was the beginning of my next disaster.

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