The Spice Bazaar Weekend – Part 2: Rooftop Tea
Wife & Couples·EN·2 min read·Published 2026-11-07, updated 2026-11-07·Part 2 of 2
They climbed the six floors to the rooftop café in the late afternoon, laden with bags: the rug, the saffron, two kilos of Turkish delight, a copper coffee pot, a tin of rose petals.
"We bought nothing we need," said Murat.
"We bought everything we need."
The roof was crowded with low tables and cushions, warm in the setting sun. Below, the city stretched in every direction, domes and minarets and ferries, all the way to the shining Bosphorus. The call of a seller drifted up from the street.
A waiter brought them tea in tulip glasses, and a plate of baklava glistening with honey. They sat on the cushions, shoulder to shoulder, watching the light change from gold to rose to violet.
"I forgot how to relax," said Murat.
"I forgot you could be funny."
"I'm not funny."
"You're hilarious. You said 'I think I'm in love with the rug woman.'"
"I did." He smiled. "I still think so."
She laughed, and rested her head on his shoulder. The first lights came on across the water, one by one, doubled in the dark. A ferry horn sounded softly.
"Can I ask you something?" said Murat.
"Yes."
"May I kiss my wife? In front of all of Istanbul?"
"Yes," said Zehra. "And if I say stop, you must buy me another rug."
"I will not say no to that."
He kissed her, gently, a hand cupping her cheek, tasting of honey and tea. She kissed him back with all the warmth of fifteen years, her fingers curling in his collar. The sky deepened above the minarets. Somewhere below them, a ferry horn sounded over the water.
When they parted, both of them were smiling.
"Green?" he asked.
"Green," said Zehra. "Very green."
They flew home on Monday. The rug lies in their hallway. Whenever they step on it, they laugh.
More married couple romance: The Cruise · Couples Retreat · The Second Honeymoon
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