What is love?" "I don't know." "Love is the name given to the bond Kemal feels with Füsun whenever they travel along highways or sidewalks; visit houses, gardens, or rooms; or whenever he watches her sitting in tea gardens and restaurants, and at dinner tables." "Hmmm … that's a lovely answer,~ But isn't love what you feel when you can't see me?" "Under those circumstances, it becomes a terrible obsession, an illness.
In the text, a dialogue explores the nature of love through the feelings experienced by Kemal towards Füsun. Kemal associates love with the connection he feels when they share experiences, from traveling together to enjoying meals in each other's company. These moments signify the depth of his affection and appreciation for her presence, illustrating love as a shared journey and intimate bond.
However, the conversation takes a turn when it acknowledges that love can morph into obsession when the beloved is absent. Kemal admits that longing for Füsun leads to distress, contrasting the warmth of their shared experiences with the painful yearning he feels in her absence. This reveals a duality of love, highlighting its capacity for joy alongside its potential for anguish.
