M-Marriage...? Meryem's eyes widened. Her chest tightened. She wanted all this to be a lie--though looking at her mother's empty face and her father's stern ones. She could only swallow dryly.
This was truly happening. Truly...
B-But mother... father...! tears swelled her eyes. I am still in collage... at least you both could have consulted with me... she shakes her head, delicate fingers tucking away a strand.
Oh honey... her mother gazes over at her daughter than at her husband. Please darling... maybe we can wait a few years?
Mr. Altan corrects his glasses, "Honey... I thought you would perhaps side with me?" "Well... I did at first but seeing her now? I am not so sure"...
Meryem drops her head, I could have at least known--"this is all for your own good" Her father ends.
M-My own good? ha? she heaves a sigh. Father... who is this groom?
He didn't reply, not for a long time. He then set his glasses over at the table. "Well... he is from one of my partners" he tilts his head, "I thought you already may know him?"
Meryem furrows her brows--then, "Burak Dogan Yildiz"
---
The very next day...
Burak was in his usual workout when he heard the sound laughter coming from outside. He paused then grabbing a bottle of water, he strode out to the garden.
The mixture of sunny weather and chill breeze tugged at him as he caught his sister. She was with none other than Meryem.
His mouth parted yet barely anything came--he thought to leave yet just as he was about to
--Burak!!! Esma's voice rang out, making him halt. Meryem's eyes fluttered to him, her heart thudded as she then looked to Esma. "What...?" Meryem says nothing. She looks away when he turned.
Burak Dogan made his way to them--every step of his made her legs falter. He then stands in front of them, hazel eyes locking with hers before looking away.
Esma... a murmur as he grazed at the back of his thick locks. Esma glances at the both of them,
"Meryem here has a news for us"
"Oh?"... Burak tilts his head. His eyes flickering to hers. She looks back, her face being unreadable.
Esma smiles, "She is getting married!" His eyes widened, it was as if his whole world came crashing down. His lips parted as he gazed at her then he let his eyes fall.
Burak then nods in a rigid manner. Meryem clasps her hands, watching him struggle. He nods again, "Well congratulations... Meryem" she gives a soft, half-smile.
Esma... I have to go... She nods* He then turns, feeling a sort of hollowness in his chest.
Esma gave Meryem a look. "See... I told you" Meryem's face turned a shade of crimson, "Well... I... should we tell him?" to that her soon to be sister in law giggles. "Hmm... not yet"... "Not just yet"...
---Later that night>>>>>
Burak dogan!! Emir shouted to his right. To his right was Burak on his 1980 Zaffiro The made his hair flutter as he narrowed his eyes, "I am calling you! Gosh!
Though, he didn't look. Burak only clenched the handle, his grip tightening by the second. His hunter eyes flickered to the tunnel to the front.
"Meryem here is getting married"... his chests heaved. He had gazed at her in that shattered manner. Though she only gave him a half-smile.
Was she forced? he couldn't tell... Alas... he never would have thought that a face that made his heart swirl could also break him into pieces.
Never...
Then--he gazed up as the tunnel came to end, so did the darkness, it washed over him. There was the night sky, painted in a deep color of blue.
"What a beautiful night... a beat then--"What a dreadful news?"
Emir soon caught up with him, a night had never felt more cloudier that this one.
-----
The day after, both Esma & Meryem conversed with one another in the terrace of Yildiz's manor. Meryem sat across from her. Her mind still racing from the encounter and how he had looked. He seemed to accept it--though she knew he broke. He accepted--yet she was aware that he would never live it.
Esma... her warm browns glinted, Perhaps... tell him? Esma watched as she urged for her to talk to her brother. The small smile on her lips grew increasingly.
Esma... I am telling you, please! please... let's just tell him. I cannot bear it--"what can you not bear... Meryem?" she asks, tilting her head. She stared on to her blue eyes, the same ones he had. "I-I cannot bear to see him... so broken" ... she breathed out.
Esma hummed, "hmm... well, Meryem, good for you, you do not have to" "Not anymore" She shot her a look, her heart raising, "D-Does that mean... he...?
Her voice trails off as Esma nods eagerly. Meryem drops her head as heat rose up her neck. "Oh Meryem, don't be so shy now"... Esma then inches in closer, her eyes glinting with mischievousness."My brother may seem to be all shy but... I assure you he won't once you both are married"
Esma... she murmurs, completely undone. to that, the auburn girl giggles. "Well... a little something I thought you should know" Meryem laughs, shaking her head. Ah...what can I do without you? dear Esma"... her friend sips her coffee, "That's sister in law for you"
Meryem nods with a soft, timid smile.
---
The day of the ceremony, both the groom and bride were being readied. Soon the Istanbul wedding convention filled with people and upon the arrival of the sheikh (Like a priest) The groom made his way out. Followed by was the grooms men.
Emir stood near an anxious Burak--who also seemed to effortlessly pull off the crisp black suit which hugged to his towering frame. His hunter eyes seemed to be in a cloud of haze as he nodded to whatever Emir said.
Burak... you made it this far man... you know? my sister can be tough at times but... his voice trails off as a mixture of emotions flood him. Burak patted at him.
"This is you wedding day... and you are consoling me" he murmured with a half laugh and cry."Just ... take care of her man, I know I do not have to repeat it twice--"no you do not, but it your obligation" Burak nods* It is your absolute right to knock me out if you see even a shed of your sister's tears"
Emir smiles, "Of course ya"... Just then--heads turn as the bride with her Bridesmaid made her way down. Burak Dogan's heart raised, she wore a white dress as pure as snow. Her face was covered by a veil yet he could see her, her delicate hands. How they clasped on to each other. Every ounce of her step made him falter.
Emir stepped back with a smile as she finally reached and stood in front of him. Burak gazed at her down. The murmurs seemed to fade away into a cluster as the sheikh read some prayers.
Emir stepped back--just then, he felt someone. "Oh... I am so... his voice trails off as he locked eyes with Esma. She nods in a timid manner and looks away. Emir watches for a second or two, then he too looks to the front, standing just few steps away.
The sheikh gazes at the both of them--then to Burak,
"Do you, Burak Dogan Yildiz, the son of Mehmed Sahin Yildiz take Meryem Azra Altan, the daughter of Ayaz Doruk Altan as your wife?
Burak gazes at her, without looking away, "I do"... a murmur.
"Do you?"
"I do"...
"I do"... the sheikh smiles then asks the same to her. She replies with a shaky yet firm voice. Then to both families, "We witnessed the reunion of this two" They replied with: "indeed"
"Well... may Allah bless the pair and give them auspicious children" The rows Ameen followed as they were now sealed as one.
"Mr. & Mrs. Yildiz"