Г‡д±nare Melikzade Duydum Ki Bensiz Yaralд± Gibisin -

The old radio in the corner of the small Baku cafe sputtered to life, filling the room with the haunting, melancholic voice of Çınare Melikzade singing "Duydum Ki Bensiz Yaralı Gibisin."

Across the room, near the window overlooking the rainy street, sat a man she hadn't noticed before. He was young, perhaps in his late twenties, with eyes that seemed fixed on the blurry lights of passing cars. In front of him sat a cup of tea, gone cold and untouched.

"Let me freshen that for you," she said softly, pouring the amber liquid into his glass.

He paused, then continued, almost as if he needed to confess to a stranger. "I left Istanbul three years ago. I left someone I loved deeply because I thought I had to find my own way, to build a future. I told myself she would be fine without me."