Főnix

Főnix

Part 76: The Moment of Truth

Főnix is on her way home, her phone in her hand.
She has already picked it up three times to call her mother.
And put it down three times.

FŐNIX (inner voice):
She won’t be happy…
She won’t take it easily…
But she has to know.
I want to live beside Albatrosz, and I have to say this to her first.

Finally, she takes a deep breath and presses the call button.

Her mother answers.

FATMA – FŐNIX’S MOTHER (cheerfully, with the sound of clattering dishes in the background):
What are you doing? I’m chopping onions… I’m doing your work too, see?
I told you, you’re the laziest daughter in the world.
So, what do you want, my dear?

Főnix smiles, but the smile is tense, forced.
Her voice breaks.

FŐNIX:
Mom… could we talk?

FATMA – FŐNIX’S MOTHER (immediately alarmed):
What is it, sweetheart? Why does your voice sound like that?
Have you been crying? Who hurt you?

Főnix sits down on the edge of the bed.
Her hand is trembling.

FŐNIX:
No… no one hurt me.
I just… I have to tell you something.

FATMA – FŐNIX’S MOTHER (firmly):
Then say it. Don’t keep your mother waiting.

Főnix takes a deep breath. She squeezes her eyes shut.

FŐNIX:
Albatrosz and I… we’re together.

A few seconds of complete silence.
Only the sound of the knife stopping on the onion.

FATMA – FŐNIX’S MOTHER (slowly, after a deep breath):
With whom?
Say that again.

FŐNIX (quietly, timidly):
Albatrosz… we’re together.
He’s my… partner.

FATMA – FŐNIX’S MOTHER (bursting out):
With your boss?!
That rich man… the one living in that glittering, flashy world?
The one who’s been on television?!
Oh, my girl…

Főnix flinches.
This is exactly what she was afraid of.

FATMA – FŐNIX’S MOTHER (continuing, harshly):
You can’t even keep your room tidy…
And now you’re telling me you’re in love?
Silly girl.
My sweet, foolish little girl.

Főnix blinks apologetically, as if even through the phone she’s asking permission to breathe.

FŐNIX:
Mom… I really… love him.

FATMA – FŐNIX’S MOTHER (almost sighing):
You can’t command your heart, I know.
But how do you compare to his family?
Their house shines, sparkles…
And who are we?
We live modestly at the edge of the world.
Do you think those rich people will care?

Főnix’s eyes fill with tears, but she tries to stay strong.

FŐNIX:
Mom… he’s not like that.
He chose me.

FATMA – FŐNIX’S MOTHER:
At the beginning, everyone chooses someone.
The worst part of love is that one day you wake up…
and you see the differences.
And then it will hurt.
Very much.

Főnix lowers her head.
Every word gets stuck in her throat.

FATMA – FŐNIX’S MOTHER (a little softer):
I’m not angry with you, my dear…
You know I love you.
Tell me, you’re not angry with me?
Tell me… that you forgive me if I was harsh just now.

Főnix quietly sniffs back her tears.

FŐNIX:
I’m not angry…
I was just afraid of what you would say.

FATMA – FŐNIX’S MOTHER (sighing, slightly softened):
I’m saying what a mother says.
My heart worries about you.
But… if you truly love him… and he truly loves you…
then bring him to me.
Let me look into his eyes.
Then I’ll decide if he’s worthy of you.

Főnix stares ahead, eyes wide.
She didn’t expect this.

FŐNIX (surprised):
Bring him… to you?
To you?

FATMA – FŐNIX’S MOTHER:
Of course. What did you think?
That I’d let my daughter be with a stranger?
Now pull yourself together.
And tell him that if he comes to us…
he should behave like a respectable man.

Főnix laughs — a tearful, relieved laugh.
The fear slowly melts away.

FŐNIX:
Okay… Mom. I’ll tell him.

FATMA – FŐNIX’S MOTHER (laughing):
See? That wasn’t so hard.
Now let me cook, or the onion will burn!

The call ends.

Főnix buries her face in the pillow — crying and smiling at the same time.

She did it.
She really told her.