Punctuality was important to Lida, especially with the type of schedule she had. From caring for her daughter and mother, to her family’s business and her own social interactions, she was someone who was constantly on the go. Therefore, she hated it when she was the one running late as it fucked up her whole schedule. It meant she had to adjust her time with whoever she was meeting with, which was either lessening the time with them or even having to reschedule which she despised since she’d rather have it over and done with.
It’s why for today she cleared her whole mid-morning and afternoon because she was meeting with Lale. After their last encounter, she learned that she needed time after every discussion to recuperate as it was not only emotionally taxing, but if she wanted to NOT have her emotions get the best of her, she needed that brief time period to regain her bearings.
Unfortunately, she was running late and talk about impeccable timing…She hoped Lale wasn’t getting the wrong impression that she didn’t want to see her. Lida wanted to try…For the sake of their relationship and for those around them, especially when her daughter was ecstatic after hearing that she was living near her auntie. However, she got held back as she had to meet with Senol Palace’s superintendent over their utilities. It took longer than usual as they had to trek throughout the hotel.
Finally making it to La Bibimerie, Lida fast walked to their table and greeted her younger sister with an apologetic smile while she was about to take her seat. However, as soon as Lale stood up, Lida paused and then approached her as she greeted her with kisses on both cheeks, before finally sitting down. They were in public and formalities were a must. “Üzgünüm geç kaldım. (Sorry, I’m late) I got held up at the hotel, were you waiting too long? We could order right away.”
Listening to her sister’s words, Lida stopped and met her gaze as she shook her head to respond to her first query, “I haven’t, but I do love Korean food…So it’ll be interesting to taste their French twist on it. Do you frequent here?” Pressing her lips into a thin line, It was a no brainer that Lale was trying her best to maintain her composure, but being her older sister she could see right through her. “…APPEAL to me.” she repeated. Biting her tongue, Lida knew better than to make a snide remark nor take offence. “Right…Well, thank you for the invite and I appreciate the thought. If it helps, I wouldn’t have cared if you even took me to McDonalds.”
❝ It’s okay, it’s okay. You don’t have to explain. ❞ Lale was just happy her sister was here, like always. It usually started out like this though, didn't it? ❝ I was thinking about the same thing, I’m ready to order if you are1 The waiter should be around shortly. ❞ She cranes her neck quickly to see if she could spot the waiter. Lale was starving ❝ I haven’t been here before, no. I figured it might be a fun thing for us to try together. ❞ She smiles proudly. It’s cheesy when she says it like that, but she can’t help it. She’s always wanted a big sister. Her big sister. On her travels, she’s met people, a lot of people, befriended them, hated others, many, many people she doesn’t remember the name of but she’ll know them if she’s looking that their nudes ... But none of them had become this found family trope she had hoped for. Sure, they’d exchange numbers, Twitter and Instagram handles, but Lale can’t stand to be lonely - she needs the physicality. Lale doesn't want Lida to be just another Instgram handle. ──── Oh, fuck. Does Lida even have Instgram?
By now, her attention has turned to the waiter who was FINALLY coming back to fill Lale’s empty mimosa glass. She hadn’t even realize she nervously downed it all. She also slips in her order, Racine de lotus and Salade De Concombre Oi Muchim. ❝ Yeah. Yeah, you know, ─ because you’re ─ ❞ By the time her sight has landed on Lida, Lida is already looking at her with such a stare that she loses her words. Before she could explain, her sister was already offended. What she was going to say was the place, like her sister, is unique and unapologetic. But the words are lost defeat. ❝ ... Oh, ❞ Is all she can say, disappointed that restaurant like this doesn’t seem to be like it would be the choice to impress Lida. But that isn’t the case at all. Lale is disappointed in herself for assuming she would have the taste buds of something high maintenance or of the finer realm. ❝ Okay. Well, I’ll remember that for next time ... ❞ It all she says, lapsing into a silence as she sits anf waits for their food.
As the pregnant pause continues, the more Lale begins to fiddle around with her fork. ❝ ... I want to see mom. ❞ The brunette ends up blurting out, unable to keep the real reason she called for Lida to meet her. She wants to see Damla. Wants. It sounded so child-like, eager. ❝ I will - I will see mom. ❞ She wets her lips, changing her words hasty to sound more firm, less vulnerable. She’s too scared to show anything else to Lida, Before Lida can ask, she says while drawing her sight down toward her plate, though her tone is still rather snippy. ❝ I don’t know why. It just feels like something I have to do ... Closure, maybe ... ❞ It would make the most sense. It was a buck up and get your answers now before the source is gone, kind of thing. Lale wants to know so many whys. Why did Damla give so much of her own destruction to her child? Why didn't she passed on more of her? Why did she never stroke her hand or play hide-and-seek? Why did they have to teach Lida to not like her?
Setting the mimosa glass down, empty once more before lunch had even made it to the table, the brunette talks on casually, almost as a joke, ❝ Besides, my therapist believes I’m in a good headspace to start asking questions. ❞ Sometimes, Lale really believes that therapists are just out here to be nosy and listen to other people’s family gossip, but hey, at least it felt like someone was listening.
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