ayda--demir

[ayda--demir]

#pretty pieces

[ayda--demir]

"You'll have to come by the bakery once this is all over. I would love to bake something for you." Something Mrs. Aksoy would be proud to share with others, one of her secret recipes.

Her head nods, slightly surprised. "Oh, well, I'm sure there is someone who has their eyes on you." Chocolate hues glance down at her feet before looking back up at the blonde. "I came with my best friend. We are all going through some pain, we lost someone close to us." They were a community leaning on each other.

"That means a lot." In a world that could sometimes be so cruel, she found solace in the people that genuinely just wanted the best for everyone. Ayda's smile lit up the room, even if she seemed as though she wasn't thrilled to be there. Eleanor understood that; often she preferred quiet to the recklessness.

At the question, Eleanor thought of Samar and his matching cuff-links. That was about as close that had come to acknowledging anything between each other in public. Truth was though, they had never discussed anything beyond their beneficial agreement. This small gesture almost hinted at more, but she couldn't be too sure. After all, he may have just been appeasing her.

"No, just myself. Actually, I'm not sure I can even recall the last time I had a date on my arm." That was firmly the truth. "How about you? Who's the lucky one that got to escort you?"

#thread: eleanor shipley #event.mobawards2024 #pre plot drop #flashback

[ayda--demir]

Her brows furrow at him, a thought evading her mind that he was withholding information from her, or was about to do something. "At least we both agree that I will win." A smile crosses her lips. "We are family Hasan." He was the only family she felt was close to her, despite the rest of them. At any moment her father would love to have her back in the family business. "I will cross that bridge when I get there." A small pause. "If I get there." Her head slants at him. "None of our hands are clean." Ayda had only been out for a few years, but had plenty of years to have blood on her own. "Is there something I should know?"

Hasan laughed shaking his head.

"I know you will, that's why I was worried, but I also know you'll do your best both in the race, and for the community when you win." He put a hand on her shoulder making sure she heard his next words. "It means a lot that you wouldn't distance yourself even if it might help you, but don't blame your people if they tell you the same thing, and be ready to be dragged through the mud on my account." He sighted looking away for a moment letting his hands drop. "My hands aren't exactly clean, but I don't want you in that side of the life, especially now."

#thread: hasan demir #aftermath

[ayda--demir]

It made perfect sense what Hasan was concerned about. He would always look out for her, even if she told him she didn't need it, family came first. Her facial features scrunch at him. "I'm not going to exclude you from my life to keep an image. The community knows me. They know what I stand for. That is all that matters to me." Her hand swats at his forearm. "Don't think that. I'll be fine." Her head shakes at him. "Have more faith in me, Hasan. I will get this win." Ayda had to have some confidence in herself, and she did, especially when it came to her community, that was always a place where she put her heart and soul into.

"I thought you might say something like that. Well keep to the back as much as you can, if you aren't there they can't come looking for you in there, or looking for me and find you. I'll have people with eyes on, but you should still be careful. You'll have the responsibilities of a full borough even more than you do already. Every bit of you will be dragged through the public eye including me. Maybe it'll be better for you if we act estranged." He held his hands up. "Not my first choice or even a suggestion really, but I don't want to be the one holding you back if you're finally getting into a better kind of life." He felt like they'd had this conversation before, but it was an important one, and equally so that she knew she had what support he could give without ruining any shot she had. He put a hand back on her shoulder and for a moment his smirk turned to a genuine smile. He was glad she might be in a position to make some genuine changes soon or on the track for it.

#thread: hasan demir #afternath

[ayda--demir]

Ayda: I'm glad you are fine. Ayda: One less person to worry about. Ayda: I think we're fine, it isn't us they'll go after. Ayda: It is. Stay safe. Ayda: Emine will look for you.

Kerem: I went for a walk on the grounds, I'm fine. Kerem: Are you? What the hell is going on? Kerem: Is it chaos in there?

#text: kerem dogulu #after party #event.mobawards2024 #pre post drop #flashback

[ayda--demir]

Melisa Aslı Pamuk via instagram

#pretty pieces

[ayda--demir]

Text | @drrutherford

Ayda: This is me checking on you. Ayda: I know it's been a few weeks since. Ayda: I was wondering if you were free for lunch. Ayda: There are a couple things I wanted to share with you.

#text: gideon rutherford #12/04/2024 #//definitely doing after ramadan so she can eat lunch

[ayda--demir]

"I don't think any of them will be looking for me, Hasan." Ayda could appreciate her brother looking out for her, but with the recent catastrophe that happened at the after party, everyone's eyes were on two groups, possibly three, which meant she had a few people to check in with. She laughs at him. "I will continue to work with the community like I have been. I will keep both business' going and I promise you, no one will even have a second thought about me." She was fine with that too. "But, evet, I'll stay in the back at the bar." She didn't want to worry him. "You are the one I should be worrying about. It's going to get ugly. Have you talked to Pa at all about what happened?"

"I thought you might say something like that. Well keep to the back as much as you can, if you aren't there they can't come looking for you in there, or looking for me and find you. I'll have people with eyes on, but you should still be careful. You'll have the responsibilities of a full borough even more than you do already. Every bit of you will be dragged through the public eye including me. Maybe it'll be better for you if we act estranged." He held his hands up. "Not my first choice or even a suggestion really, but I don't want to be the one holding you back if you're finally getting into a better kind of life." He felt like they'd had this conversation before, but it was an important one, and equally so that she knew she had what support he could give without ruining any shot she had. He put a hand back on her shoulder and for a moment his smirk turned to a genuine smile. He was glad she might be in a position to make some genuine changes soon or on the track for it.

#thread: hasan demir #aftermath

[ayda--demir]

Ayda: I'm glad you are fine. Ayda: Yes. Some video with a Russian. Ayda: Hasan is fine. Emine is looking for you. Ayda: I've left with Varden.

Kerem: I went for a walk on the grounds, I'm fine. Kerem: Are you? What the hell is going on? Kerem: Is it chaos in there?

#text: kerem dogulu #after party #event.mobawards2024 #post plot drop

[ayda--demir]

There were ideas on who might be to blame, but that was something she was going to try to stay out of, the best that she could. It was hard not to protect those that she cared about. "This had nothing to do with us." But if it fuelled the current war within the borough, they would have no control over it. Her head shakes at him. "They really have no reason to talk about me Hasan. It's an incident that I will fix." She had every intention to do so. Her brows furrow at him. "You want me to stay out of the bar? I have to be there. Inventory, balancing the books, scheduling. It's my responsibility."

"Trying to make sure things do not spread to the wrong places, especially blame, but events cate little for my wishes it seems." He thought of how much to share. "Nothing important or too promising every side wants blood and some are far too eager to spill it. I haven't heard anything about you lately at least. Still stay out of the bar. I can help you run it for a while if you'd like, after the fights and everything at the awards, I want to do everything I can to keep you safe."

#thread: hasan demir #aftermath

[ayda--demir]

Ayda pulls back from the hug, a small smile etched into her features, she nods her head at him. "I am. I think I'd be a good at it." Her heart had always been there for her community and this way she could help them on another level.

"What have you been up to?" She gestures to the seat across from where she was sitting before returning to her seat. "Hear anything?"

He hugged her back as if he could lift her out of her malaise. "Hey yourself. Glad you're alright and have something to focus on. So you're really making a go of it with this political stuff aren't you?"

He made sure to get himself a pastry sure that some topic would come up that he could delay by his mouth being full of something better than his own feet.

#thread: hasan demir #aftermath

[ayda--demir]

#pretty pieces

[ayda--demir]

Where: Mulism Cultural Society Mosque for Berat's Funeral

When: March 19, 2024

Idle fingers tug the headscarf a little tighter around her neck, knelt on a pillow in the third row (children in the second and men in the first) in the prayer room outside of the mosque in Haringey. Inwardly Ayda berated herself for not putting more into the funeral, the last thing she could do was give Berat the ending he deserved, but there was too much in the little time they had. A hand reached out, taking Ma’s hand in hers, catching sight of Emine on the other side, holding the opposite hand. At least she was able to accomplish one thing, giving Ma the time to process and grieve, leaving the arrangements to her. 

All those in attendance, and the body, faced in the direction of Mecca. The whole community had shown up, and those that cared for him, and it made her sad that he couldn’t see all of those who loved him, let him know that he wasn’t alone. She wanted to believe that he was looking down at them. That he was in a better place. 

The Iman stands facing them, ready to give the prayer. “God is greater.” 

“God is greater,” all the voices echo. 

“In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful. Praise be to God, the Lord of the Universe, the Compassionate, the Merciful, Sovereign of the Day of Judgment! You alone we worship, and to You alone we turn for help. Guide us to the straight path, the path of those whom You have favoured, not of those who have incurred Your wrath, nor those who have gone astray.” The Iman’s voice carries a power that resonates in Ayda. 

“God is greater,” all the voices echo once more. 

“Allah, we ask You to raise the rank of Muhammad, and have mercy upon the Al (family, friends, and everyone else present for the funeral) of Muhammad, as You raised the rank of Ibrahim (Abraham), and the Al of Ibrahim. Verily, You are the One Who deserves to be praised and thanked, and the One Who is glorified. O Allah, we ask You to bless Muhammad, and the Al of Muhammad, as You blessed Ibrahim, and the Al of Ibrahim. Verily, You are the One Who deserves to be praised and thanked, and the One Who is glorified.”

“God is greater,” a choir of voices rang. 

“Allah, grant forgiveness to our living and to our dead, and to those who are present and to those who are absent, and to our young and our old folk, and to our males and females. O Allah! Whomsoever you grant to live, from among us, help him to live in Islam, and whom of us you cause to die, help him to die in faith. Grant especially this dead person your ease, rest, forgiveness and consent Allah, if he acted well, then increase for him his good action, and if he acted wrongly, then overlook his wrong actions. Grant him security, glad tidings, generosity and closeness to you. We seek Thy blessings, Thou art the most Merciful.”

 “God is greater,” a moment of silence follows, then all those in unison along with the Iman finish the prayer. “May the peace and mercy of Allah be upon you.”

She can feel the tears start to swell in her eyes, giving Berat’s mothers hand a small squeeze in reassurance that she wasn’t alone. Slowly the front row stands, taking a moment to pass by Berat’s body, a silent goodbye said. Next the children went, a few words murmured. Lastly, the women stand, letting them all take a turn before leaving the end for herself, Emine and Berat’s mother. 

She can’t believe she’s saying goodbye. 

Emine leads them, tears streaming down her cheeks and given the custom, she was doing a good job holding it together. A hand comes to rest on top of his and she can hear what the girl whispers. 

“I want you to know that you are the best big brother. I know we had our differences, but I wouldn’t have wanted to do this world without you. I love you, always.” She leans down to kiss his forehead, moving to let Ma take her turn. 

“My sweet boy. Life is not fair.” The words are heard between the sobs. “I will pray for you every day. I love you.” She placed a kiss upon his forehead, Emine reaching to take her head. 

And that left Ayda, standing there looking at the man she was so certain she would have spent the rest of her life with. “May you be at peace. I will look out for them.” That she could promise them. “I’m sorry for leaving.” The last words she whispers, moving away. 

The burial grounds are not too far off, a line of people following behind the men carrying Berat’s body and he is slowly lowered into his grave. Muslims did not believe in cremation, that there will be a physical resurrection on Judgement Day, and Ayda wished for nothing more. 

Ma, Ayda and Emine are the first to throw three handfuls of dirt onto his grave, reciting a small prayer. 

“Out of it We (Allah) created you, And into it We deposit you, And from it We shall take you out once again.” 

The rest of the family, friends and the community do the same, reciting the same words. A lot of hands wiping under eyes and hugs shared amongst those there. 

It wasn’t long until everyone was invited to Tamamen Dolu for food and drinks, a custom that would have taken place at Ma’s, but this felt like a better setting and would allow her to go home when she was ready. Where she knew it would be quiet for her. . 

Ayda kept busy, making sure everyone had something to drink and food on a plate, it gave her a way to keep her mind distracted. 

When the night was starting to wind down, she caught sight of Emine sitting at the table that had their engravement. 

She moves to stand behind her, a hand reaching up to unclasp the necklace from around her neck, moving to place it around Emine’s. 

“Ayda, what are you doing?” Emine questions her, turning her head before a hand comes up to wrap around the ring hanging from it. 

“I think you should have this.” It was breaking her to give the last piece of Berat she had, but it felt right giving it to Emine. “That was the engagement ring he got for me. I wanted to give you something to remember him by.” 

Emine sits there speechless for a second, head turning to look down at the ring. “Ayda…I…” Ayda could feel the tears return and when she saw Emine’s face after she slipped out of the chair, it seemed both of them were doing the same. Arms wrap around her, letting hers wrap around the other. “Thank you.” She whispers.

#self-para #character development #char dev` #flashback #haringey #community #berat's funeral #//anyone who would have liked to be there can write a self-para #//there are some customs - i can send a link #//pretend Emine is wearing a headscraf

[ayda--demir]

Her head nods at the Frenchman. Varden had shared a little with her on the car ride home that night, and her brother filled in her with the rest. All she worried for was more casualties of her people.

"Alara," she calls the bartender over. "Can you please finish this for me?" The woman nods, taking the clipboard.

"Here, let's go to my office." They would have more privacy there.

Ayda leads him over to a door that leads into her office. A couple selves with a desk on one side of the room and a couch on the other. She moves around to sit in her chair and gestures for Jean to sit down on the chair by her desk.

"How can I help you?"

Jean was fucking exhausted. While shit hitting the fan at that stupid after party was quickly becoming a very annoying tradition, he was confident in saying that most of the French would have preferred a heads up. Especially when it resulted in a St. Clair being taken.

Unfortunately, that was far from the only concern he had at the moment. No one in Haringey had forgotten about Berat Yalaz's overdose, and that fucking fentanyl was still on the street. And French resources alone weren't cutting it. Which is why he was walking into Ayda Demir's bar on a Monday afternoon. He returned her smile as he hung his sunglasses off of his shirt's neckline. "Business, unfortunately."

#thread: jean palfriox #aftermath #25 of march

[ayda--demir]

Text | @cassandra-acton

Ayda: Hello Cassie Ayda: I was wondering if you would have to chance to meet for lunch and maybe go over what I have for my campaign? Ayda: I could use some extra help.

#text: cassandra acton #aftermath #april 2 2024

[ayda--demir]

where: Gizli Bahçe when: 25th of March, 2024 who: @jeanpalfroix

Ayda had finished up at the bakery and was at the bar doing inventory. She was thankful for keeping busy and letting her mind focus on other things. Bits of information trickled in and she was trying to piece it altogether and what it would mean for them.

Her head popped up from behind the bar when the door opened, watching the commandant come walking in. She was entirely sure how to feel, but knew it was wise to have an open communication.

"Afternoon," she smiles at him. "Business or pleasure?" Tempted to offer a drink, but wasn't sure where this visit was leaning to.

#thread: jean palfriox #aftermath

[ayda--demir]

where: the bakery who: @hasan-demir when: 24th of March, 2024

Ayda wasn't surprised that her brother showed up at the bakery. She had tucked herself off into the corner for the afternoon working on her campaign. The effect of what happened last night still could be felt and for her own peace, and something she shouldn't have done, she may have asked a few that worked for her brother to keep their ears open.

It would appear that the current war in her borough could grow bigger and she wanted to be ready to protect the innocent.

Her head turns when the door opens and her brother strolls in.

"Hey," she smiles at him, getting up from her chair to greet him with a hug.

#thread: hasan demir #aftermath