ROOM - Chapter 1
Deniz was playing PUBG nonstop, without lifting his head from the computer screen.
He couldn't hear anything from outside because of the headphones covering his ears.
He kept shouting, swearing, and talking to someone.
He spent almost his entire life in that room.
He even ate his meals there.
It was practically like a prison... But he wasn't aware of it.
Every now and then, he would go outside for coffee or hang out with his friends.
He wasn't actually an antisocial person; he just preferred spending time in his room.
He had a good relationship with his brother, but he barely spoke to his parents.
His father would constantly scold him,
saying, "You'll never amount to anything!"
Every day for Deniz was almost the same.
When Deniz locked his door and put on his headphones, he completely disconnected from the outside world.
In a way, it was like meditation for him.
Video games had become a form of relaxation, a therapy.
If you really wanted to understand Deniz, you would have to live like him.
In fact, to understand people, we should try to see through their eyes. Empathy...
Deniz had decorated his room with great care:
LED lights, gaming character figures, a gaming chair...
He had built it all with his own efforts.
Sometimes, he would stream online and even make some money from it.
Just then, his mother called out:
— Deniz! Deniz! Son, we're eating!
But Deniz couldn't hear.
His father chimed in:
— Stop yelling at him already.
— "Him" you're talking about is your son, Ali!
— What do you want me to do then?
— If you pressure the kid too much, this is what happens.
— So now I'm the one to blame?
— I'm not blaming you. I'm telling you to be a father!
— Am I supposed to carry a grown man on my back?
— You don't get it, and you never will...
— One more plate!
he said and continued eating indifferently.
Deniz's twin brother, Rüzgar, knocked on the door:
— Hey! Hello! Deniz, can't you hear me?
Man, what a room you've got! Open the door! I brought you food.
Only then did Deniz notice:
— Huh?
— I said I brought you food.
— What's for dinner?
— Chicken pasta. I added ketchup too.
— Got any cola?
— No.
Deniz opened the door harshly:
— Take this and go get some cola. Grab something for yourself too.
Rüzgar went and bought the cola and some snacks. Their father couldn't help himself again:
— You'll turn out just like him if you keep going this way.
Their mother snapped:
— Will you shut up already, Ali? Enough!
Ali went quiet but kept smoking his cigarette, cursing under his breath.
Rüzgar gave the cola to Deniz. Deniz glanced at him:
— Still the same, huh?
— He's our father, Deniz...
— Ugh, Rüzgar, don't think I didn't hear. The guy's taking shots at you too.
— It's okay, he's still our dad.
Deniz paused for a moment:
— Come hang out for a bit.
— Nah, I have an exam tomorrow. I'm studying for that.
— Let's go out sometime when you're free.
— We'll see...
said Rüzgar, and went back to his own room to study.
Deniz kept playing games for hours.
In the end, he found himself asleep at his desk.
---