I learn that her cat has died and that she had to go back to Istanbul to bury her. It was hard for me to parse all that—her cats are living with her ex-boyfriend. By now we had built quite some connection, but her leaving suddenly felt like a goodbye for good. I didn’t want that. I felt like we were building something good, something real—still vulnerable, maybe not strong enough yet to survive the challenge of distance.
We talked back and forth about how we could carry on. I liked the idea of me coming to Istanbul with her the most—after all, that’s where her life is centered right now because of her studies. My remote job doesn’t care where I am, and my farm dreams can wait.
When she tells me she doesn’t want me to come to Istanbul—while we’re roaming between floors—I have serious doubts for the first time. But I don’t show it. I just tag along.
We arrange for her to come back after a week, and a trip to Diani shortly after. But honestly, I don’t feel we’ll be the same afterwards.
We celebrate Bitcoin Pizza Day the way it should be celebrated: two large-ass pizzas and me buying a large-ass stack of Bitcoin.
We celebrate her farewell where else but Brew. We get a cake and a farewell plate, toasting her and getting drunk. I’m not sure if it’s the alcohol or the fear of losing her, but I agree to meet her fantasy—and she does too.
We leave for our spot and keep the celebration going. It turns into the kind of party I had only dreamed about but never said out loud. Luna and Kaele carry the night until the light comes back.
She has to leave the next day and needs to prepare.
