#esma x selim

[mytalemyworld]

Demir: Why didn't you tell me? May it be because you are jealous of the feelings Esma has for me?

So Demir finds out that Esma confessed her feelings in the garage thinking Demir was here. But actually the person who was at the garage at that moment was Selim and he heard all of it. Since Demir wasn’t even aware of her existence at that time (around the second or third episode I guess) and this is about someone’s special feelings, Selim must have thought that it wasn’t his place to tell Demir about it. But now he finds out that, comes to Selim and asks why.

But just look at which words he uses. "Are you jealous?" jokingly he says. I am definitely right about him. He is really suspicious about something and sees some sparks between them.

The circle is getting smaller.

Selim still tries to reason him but he is like you don’t understand me at all. 

The problems in the family, being stressed out because of his ex and his brother, being on bad terms with his best friend, Demir's fiancée coming to him for her troubles, their business partner, who is Demir's future father-in-law, threatening him with ending their business partnership because his daughter is upset...

And he slowly loses his patience.

Selim: Esma, come here, let's talk a little.

And this iconic scene happens.

Selim: I want you to end your relationship with Demir. As long as you work here, Demir won't come to the company. If I hear that you two meet in the house or outside, I will have to take firmer measures. I don't understand you Esma. I really don't. Demir is engaged, there is someone he is going to marry and the girl's father is the business partner of the company. If he terminates the partnership which he will certainly do that if he hears his daughter got dumped because of someone else, million dollars worth investment will go to waste and we've alwasy been aware of this fact. Despite all of these things how can you keep going after Demir? Esma: I- Selim: Don't tell me about love. Don't! There is no love in this world worth 100 million dollars.

So this is what he said. He will regret saying this one day. He never went against her like this before and never talked in a firm way about love. I think there are a couple of reasons for that.

First of all his only serious relationship ended up in a very bad way. His ex cheated on him, so he thinks some feelings like love aren't certain and can't be trusted. It may be deceiving, not real, not worth losing what you have. You can only trust your mind and need to do your best for the right thing.

Secondly, even Demir's fiancée comes to him for her troubles. He is like a place everyone barges into and tells what they need and expects from him to do something. He really shows that he feels trapped...actually his brother must feel the same thing, but he isn't the one who is capable of doing something, that’s why people choose to come to Selim, not Demir. So in the end he feels responsible for his brother's mess. 

Thirdly I think he really doesn't trust his brother's feelings. Demir told Selim that he was serious about Birnur too but in the end he realised he didn't love her actually. So how can Selim be sure of Demir's feelings for Esma?

By the way it’s really good to see that he didn’t send her somewhere, he said Demir wouldn’t come to the company. I know this is what it should be but still it’s nice that he knows he can’t ruin her future.

Demir: Was it necessesary that you talked to Esma or threatened her? Selim: I don't need to threaten anybody. Demir: Right. You just "requested" her not to come in between 100 million dollars and you. Poor girl doesn't answer my calls out of fear.

Mmmm...he doesn't seem to be pleased to hear she obeyed his rules. Espeically the fear part makes him uncomfortable. He is not proud of what he did, isn't he?

[mytalemyworld]

Selim: I will step back, father. I don't want our family to suffer anymore. The Eagle Nest is not more important than this family. Teoman can do anything he wants. The thing I want is to see you and my mother happy together.

He is ready to give up on his position and let his enemy win it for the sake of his family, but when it comes to his love, he won't give up.

He might be angry at her, say some hurtful things but still deep down he believes there is a kind girl hidden there. He can't be wrong, he can't accept that. AND THIS! His beliefs turned out to be right. She came to him even though he knows she doesn't think highly of him. She has a kind heart and this makes him smile.

Selim: You'll get wet. Esma: Nothing happens to me. Besides, I like the rain. Selim: Me too. But I always watched it from the window. Standing under it is more beautiful. Esma: Well, did something bad happen? Selim: I don't know. It might as well be that something good happened.

This is the moment she realizes that he is a human too, he can get tired and sad. She seems to be affected by his sincerity and suprised to see he shows his feelings.

Selim: Sometimes when I look at this garden everything seems so different. Esma: I know. This garden has this kind of magic. Of course this is your garden, but I know every corner of it. For instance there is a jar of candy hidden under that chestnut tree. Selim: Candy? Esma: I buried it when I was a kid. I stole the candies from the kitchen and buried them under the tree. Then I grew up very much that I could no longer eat candy. But the jar is still there. Selim: How nice. At least you know where your childhood is buried.

You can see they are surprised as well that they can share something and enjoy it.

[mytalemyworld]

Every time I rewatch Bir Istanbul Masalı (An Istanbul Fairy Tale), I discover a new thing. This show is a true classic, I mean, It wasn’t necessarily because the show was outstanding, mind you but it hit you right in the feels and something about it gave such a nostalgic quality.

The title is An Istanbul Fairy Tale, however this is very misleading, the producer probably thought that since the poor ugly duckling turned into a beautiful swan and fell in love with the rich, successful and kind male lead, this must be a "fairy tale". I beg to differ. Fairy tales end with an "and they live happily ever after" note. But in this show even after their reunion, their social class differences and the people they go against for the sake of their love cause very dramatic moments and break ups.

The female lead, Esma Kozan, is a university student, an ugly duckling, the middle child of Cemal and Suzan Kozan who are respectively the driver and cook of the prestigious Arhan family. She has been in love with Demir Arhan, the younger son of Arhans. They are childhood friends, even though her family works for his family, they grew up together. The garden between the mansion and her family’s house is a line and may indicate clearly that they should live and stay in their own worlds however that garden became their childhood playground.

Then everyone grew up and their own worlds became more and more different. He turns into a womanizer and doesn’t even remember her name, but she keeps on living in her dream world in which he will notice her one day and love her back.

And meanwhile the older brother, Selim Arhan is just there, after the sudden change in the managemenf of ARC (the company that belongs to Arhan family) he becomes the chairman and her father becomes Selim’s driver. As a perceptive and careful person, Selim closely watches the relationship between Demir and Esma that turns into a dangerous thing for everyone’s happiness. Because his brother Demir is engaged with the daughter of a businessman who is also their business partner.

She starts working in the company, Selim gets to know her more and more. While her feelings start to change and she realizes her feelings for Demir may not be love, Selim can’t help but fall for her too. 

But before anything else...From the very beginning you always have this impression about them. They will become a thing but probably after a great amount of heartbreaks, pain and self-discovery. And this is why it's so exciting.

Selim: What happened? Esma: Nothing. Selim: Why are you crying then? Esma: I am not crying. Selim: I see. Esma: I was going to join the dance contest of the university but now I can't even move my foot. Selim: What university? Didn't you graduate from the chemistry major? Esma: No. That was my sister Çiçek. I am still a student in Galatasaray University Faculty of Business.

This is their first scene.

And this happens like 30 episodes later.

It's quite nice to realize that their first dialogue is about her dancing and their first openly flirting attempts, living in the moment scene happen as they dance.

She tries to teach him tango. He is so clumsy and doesn't get it right.

So he was the one who found her clumsy and childish in the beginning but in the end he lost himself to her, became carefree and let himself be clumsy for once.

[mytalemyworld]

The first signs of that you may fall in love...Noticing that person's voice from meters away because this is what your brain focuses on.

Well, now we can say that the love triangle is about to happen.

Esma: Well, it's not a big thing but it’s for your coffee not to get cold if you’re under the rain. Selim: You didn't have to. Demir: Wait, wait, rain, coffee? Do you guys secretly meet at nights? Selim: Thank you very much, Esma.

Uh-oh. This is exactly what is going to happen but I am not reacting to that.

I think this is the part where it's implied that Demir will become restless one day because of the sincere and strong relationship these two are building slowly. The conversation between Selim and Esma isn’t something improper but the way Demir sees that (even if he says it in a joking way) isn’t innocent.

Demir: Esma, I like you very much. What's going to happen now? Selim: What do you mean by what's going to happen? Of course I will take Esma away from you and invite her to dance, but if she lets me.

Did he hear the whole conversation or just guess the gist of it? The word play is strong. Taking her away from him, huh? I see what you did here, the writers.

Selim: Okay, you don't need to say it. I am a terrible dancer. Fred Astaire can dance even with a hanger, but look at how even a talented dancer like you is doing because of me? Esma: I am sorry, I was thinking of something else. Selim: That's better. It's hard to find such a straightforward employee who can say she is thinking of something else while dancing with her boss even at his birthday party.

I think he saw something was about to happen and intervened in again but he didn’t seem to be angry so that we could assume he didn’t hear the confession part. But he doesn’t need to hear anything honestly, he knows what his brother is up to.

And they’re dancing again. He is actually playful by the way, not stoic like the other mature male leads.

And his ex who cheated on him shows up at his birthday party!

I mean, he probably thinks that please, one problem at a time.

[mytalemyworld]

Zekeriya, his right hand man, took Esma as his assistant. He seems to think that she is very ambitious and still wants to be very close with Demir.

Selim: Congratulations, Miss Esma. You’ve been promoted very fast. Demir: You don't know what she did with the cafe. After that, it's thanks to Zekeriya's talent about not missing bright people. Selim: I see. Which Cinderella would stay forever in the kitchen anyway?

This scene is so iconic. He refers her own words about being Cinderella and attacks this time more cruelly. Because since that conversation that happened in his office, she has gotten closer with Demir despite his warnings. And this makes him very uncomfortable.

Uh-oh.

Demir’s rich fiance shows up.

UH-OH.

He’s such a gamesman.

They switch their dance partners.

Selim: Interesting. Where is that young girl who cried just because she wouldn't join the dance contest? Esma: I dance only when I want. Selim: I am sorry, I had to stop your dance with Demir. It's my duty to take action if anything comes the company's way.

He takes a jab at her! In short he says she has changed so much. He could understand that innocence, childish excitement, that ambition but he can no longer understand this Esma whom he is dancing with.

And he is like, when it comes to Demir, no, you can’t dance even when you want. 

He smiles when he threatens. Lol.

First physical attraction! 

[mytalemyworld]

Esma: Good evening Mr. Selim. Selim: Good evening Esma. If you go home, we can give you a ride. Esma: No, thank you. I will use the company van.

Her forced courtesy lol. The way she says "good evening" sounds more like "I hope you have a bad evening." And she is like “spending more hours with you? No, thanks.”

Hahaha, girl you will be dying to do that a few months later.

The way she walks away and he stares at her does something to me. She attracts his attention more and more...

And look at also her father's looks...

There is something in the air, people always look at them when they talk or look at each other.

[mytalemyworld]

This is the moment he realizes she is a woman too.

And his womanizer brother will chase her after seeing her like this.

After she’d had a successful internship in the factory, she got the opportunity to work in the company as an intern. She first didn't want it then changed her mind because of her father’s debts.

But now he probably thinks his stupid brother might be the reason she changed her mind.

Selim: There is something I want to ask you. I hope you working here won't create new problems for us. Do we agree? Esma: You...Look Mr. Selim, you invited me here, if you don't want- Selim: Let's not play games, Esma. You understood what I meant. Esma: No, I didn't. I don't, either. Actually your perspective is not something I can understand. Just because your brother said to me good morning, saw me as a person not an employee, you almighty Selim Arhan got panicked. Is this really necessesary? You already did what you wanted. The prince and the princess got engaged. Your kingdoms were united. Thanks to that you're conquering new countries. What else do you want? How could a little Cinderella change this fairy tale anyway? Excuse me.

Lol, he doesn’t seem to handle this boss-employee relationship very well.

Selim: The thing is Miss Esma...you are no longer Cinderella.

Mmm...

[mytalemyworld]

Selim: Esma, what are you doing here? Esma: I wanted to climb my tree for the last time. I mean, your tree. Wait for a few hours more, Mr Selim. You won't ever see me again then.

She is so dramatic, lol.

Selim: I know you are very angry with me. I understand you. But try to understand me a little too, okay? Esma: What do you mean? Selim: Just try to view what you are experiencing from outside, a distant place, from someone else's perspective. Like my perspective. Esma: When I do that I don't like at all the place where I see myself, Mr Selim. It's a tiny dot down there.

She gets at him, implying that he only sees her as an insignificant daughter of his servants.

Selim: You are wrong. Look, everything in my life has balance and order. My mind works like that. We actually are part of different equations and we find our balances in that way. The thing I do is to step in when the balance is broken. This is how things work in my job, the same goes for my house. Now, go and get ready. Tomorrow will be a very long day for you.

The thing is...the problem is not about her being the daughter of his servants. If Esma continues being a problem for Demir’s relationship with Birnur, things will get hectic in his work. And since Demir doesn’t love Esma, things will get hectic in the house, too. He doesn’t want that to happen. If she works at a distant place, she will eventually see how vain her feelings are. 

But she thinks she is a nuisance he must get rid of. And naively believes that everyone is cruel because of not seeing her “deep” feelings. 

Esma: Shall I curse you, Selim Arhan? I hope...I hope one day you will fall in love too.

They talk big. 

Oh, how delicious the irony of fate is.

[mytalemyworld]

When everybody thinks she tried to commit suicide after having learnt Demir was getting engaged but she only took a sleeping pill. Lol. 

Again, he is the one who comes to help.

And this close-up shot is just so meaningful.

His mother is worried about her platonic feelings, she thinks Esma deliberately created a ruckus to ruin the dinner they had with the family of Birnur who is Demir’s fiancée.

Selim gets uncomfortable after hearing his mother’s words.

He tries to find a way for this one-sided love not to be hurtful for everyone. He offers a internship, hard to come by, so she can focus on her studies instead of his brother.

But of course she doesn’t see this as a good intention.

She barges into his room. Lol.

Selim: What happened Esma? Esma: You know very well what happened, Mr. Selim. You might have persuaded my father but you should have asked me first if I want this internship or not. But of course you don't deign to do that. Yes, you may be the boss of my family but this doesn't give you the right to interfere in my life.

Oh this is so delightful to watch. See, he thought she was an innocent, a child-like, clumsy young girl. Until now.

He is like “So you actually have claws, Missy, huh?”

Selim: Look, Esma. I am not trying to send you somewhere forcefully. If I like, I will find thousands of students instead of you to do this internship. This opportunity isn't given to you as a special treatment. First of all, it's given to you because of your talents and the success you have in your education. Second of all If I had intention to interfere in your life, I would have done that in a more direct way. Third of all this isn't about your life only. It concerns all Kozan family. If there is anything else you would like to say, say it. If not, then goodbye.

That was their first fight, first of many.