The family's countryside house came into view, and Arda couldn't help but feel a sense of nostalgia wash over him. He hadn't been back here in years, not since his father passed away. But now, here they were, pulling up the long, winding driveway that led to the sprawling estate.
As they piled out of the car, Arda's mother took the lead, greeting their relatives with warm hugs and kisses. His siblings followed suit, but Arda hung back, feeling a little out of place.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't our little Arda!" Seyfettin boomed, clapping Arda on the back with a hearty laugh. "Look at you, all grown up!"
Arda blushed at his uncle's words, feeling a familiar heat creeping up his neck. He had always been self-conscious about his height, or lack thereof.
"Oh, Seyfettin, you always know how to make an entrance," Arda's mother said, rolling her eyes with a smile. "Come on, everyone, let's go inside."
The group made their way into the living room, where a fire crackled merrily in the hearth. Arda's aunts and uncles were scattered about, chatting and laughing. But Seyfettin seemed determined to make himself the center of attention.
"Arda, my boy, I hear you've been doing well for yourself," he said, winking at Arda's mother. "Still single, I see."
Arda's mother shot him a warning look, but Seyfettin just chuckled.
"I bet I can make Arda blush before the night is over," he said, grinning at Arda's mother.
"Oh, you're on," she said, her eyes sparkling with challenge. "But be warned, Seyfettin, I know all of Arda's embarrassing childhood stories."
The room erupted in laughter, but Seyfettin didn't back down.
"Alright, Arda, let's see what you're made of," he said, his eyes twinkling mischievously. "Tell me, how's that little friend of yours been treating you?"
Arda's face burned with embarrassment as his aunts and uncles laughed. But his mother remained serious, her eyes narrowed on Seyfettin.
"Seyfettin, that's enough," she said firmly. "Arda is a grown man, and he doesn't appreciate your crude comments."
But Seyfettin wasn't one to be easily deterred.
"Oh, come on, Ayla, lighten up," he said, grinning at her. "I'm just having a little fun."
Arda's cousin Metin and uncle Oktay joined in on the teasing, but Arda's cousin Fatma remained quiet. Arda's mother noticed and made a comment about it.
"Fatma, why are you so quiet?" she asked, her voice softening. "You used to be such a chatterbox."
Fatma shrugged, a small smile playing at the corners of her lips.
"I guess I've grown up," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Arda's mother nodded, a proud smile on her face.
"You certainly have," she said, her voice filled with warmth.
But then Fatma spoke up, her voice bold and confident.
"Ayla, you always did have a way of making things interesting," she said, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "I remember when you used to tease Seyfettin mercilessly."
The room erupted in laughter, and Arda's mother couldn't help but join in.
"Oh, Fatma, you always know how to make me laugh," she said, her eyes twinkling.
But then she turned to Fatma, her voice serious.
"But watch your mouth, young lady," she said, her finger wagging playfully. "I still outrank you."
The room fell silent for a moment, but then Seyfettin spoke up again.
"Arda, my boy, I'm not done with you yet," he said, his eyes fixed on Arda. "Tell me, have you ever been with a woman?"
Arda's face burned with embarrassment, but his mother spoke up before he could answer.
"Seyfettin, that's enough," she said, her voice firm. "Arda is not a topic of conversation for your lewd comments."
But Seyfettin wasn't one to back down.
"Oh, come on, Ayla, I'm just trying to get to know my nephew better," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
But then he made a lewd comment about Arda's mother, and she stood up, slapping him across the face.
The room fell silent, and Arda's "little friend" started to react to the situation. He couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and admiration for his mother, standing up for him like that.
"Seyfettin, you will apologize to Arda and to me right now," she said, her voice shaking with anger.
Seyfettin looked at her, his face red with embarrassment.
"I'm sorry, Arda," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I didn't mean to embarrass you."
Arda's mother nodded, satisfied.
"Now, let's enjoy the rest of our evening," she said, her voice filled with warmth.
And with that, the room returned to its previous chatter, the tension dissipating into the air. Arda couldn't help but feel a sense of relief wash over him, grateful for his mother's protection.
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