Outside the Hakan estate, the storm had just calmed down only now the inside of the estate seemed to hold back another one.
Ayse's steps synced with the low thrum of her heartbeat as she walked up to Nur's chamber accompanied by her bridesmaid, Zehra. The woman's hands ever so slightly hovered over her back as she guided her madam through the corridor. Gazing at her with a warm smile. Ayse looked stunning, her chocolate curls cascaded her moon-like face as the crimson edges of her surreal robe trailed over the expensive marble. The manor was its own beauty, with its eye-catchy souvenirs and the grand chandelier, yet nothing seems to prompt her to even give a quick glance at them.
Pov, Ayse: Marriage... her mouth twisted into a rueful smile, a taboo topic for me even in my teens. The mere mentioning of it made my cheeks flush. My late mother, Meryem Azra Banu had teased me about it. She chuckled at how coy I turned when she reminded me that one day I will have a husband, and he will... share a bed with me.
But mother... I pouted, gazing at her with that innocent sparkle of my eyes, I don't want to marry... I never will. My mother let out a soft chuckle as she parted her arms. I went to her, enveloped by her embrace.
She then planted her jaw on top of my hair, "They all say that my daughter"...she murmured glancing down at me, our warm browns locked, one young, defiant, the other was knowing, already submitted. I shot her a look as she continued, I myself was once young, rebellious, her voice pressed, I didn't want marriage, not at all. Though at my time in college, that took a completely different turn. The defiant, ferocious Meryem fell for your father... my lips curled as my eyes then returned to the photo of them both.
Youthful, fiery couple. My father worshipped her. He wasn't as shy as my mother when it comes to showing his love. I remember the times he would return from work, as soon as she opens the door, he gives her a kiss that is both tender and needy. His baritone-like voice softened just as she grazed his tensed jaw. I unknowingly smiled watching them.
I also remembered the time where he would stand near my mother, clutching at her arms like she would break if he let go her. Whispering to her, making her giggle alike a child.
"Maybe... marriage wasn't so bad?" Just maybe... I would think to myself.
From then on, I wrote on campus grounds, I wandered around, clutching at a leather bonded journal, gazing at the pristine blue sky.
Writing my little love stories, chuckling to myself while others gazed at me like I was mad. I wrote everywhere, under the oak tree, by the fireplace, you name it.
I waited for my turn, my prince charming to swoop me away from every watchful eye, to kiss me like I belong to him. To never let go off me. I wanted to show every part of myself... every... as he was the only one who get to see the most vulnerable side of me... to make me shudder under the mere breath of his...
I waited for him for too long... yet he never came.
Madame... Zehra's voice snapped me out of my thought as I then stared right back at the front of the door of his chamber, my husband's chamber...
Heart pulsating at my neck as I then felt myself back away, what am I doing here...? Zehra glanced at me with worry as she repeatedly asked whether I'm, okay?
I gave her a rigid nod and pushed on the latch as I then stepped in. Nur turned to me, stopping dead in his tracks as he then looked to my direction.
A-Ayse... a whisper left him, he took in my frame, making my heart leap. He then strode to me in an unbearably slow pace that made my legs weak.
Nur finally stood Infront of me. His smoky eyes traced over my empty face. For few seconds he did nothing. I kept my head low for too long then glanced up at him.
Their eyes locked, warm browns staring onto a mesmerizing blue. He let out a frail breath. Ayse looked striking, her long curls cascaded her face, it reached to her waist level. Her lips held a natural pout as she gazed at him, making his breath stagger.
he reached out to her-yet she stepped back. Shaking her head, you cannot act in this manner...Nur, not to me, not again...
He stayed silent, fingers retreating as he folded it behind his crisp black suit. He then leaned in closer, "What exactly is that bothers you?... or is it being under my presence?"
Ayse lets out a low, bitter chuckle, she then steadied herself, tucking away a strand of her hair that threated to spill, "Frankly yes"... she leaned in, eyes studying his unreadable face.
You disgust me... she murmured making his jaw tighten, you disgust me so much so that I don't even want your shadow on me...
Nur's lips twitched as he then backed off, his eyes flickering to a single sheet of paper Infront of the desk as he took it. He moved to her then stopped at a respectful distance, holding the paper out to her,
"a contract for our marriage, read it for there is everything you need to know" Ayse's brows creased as she then snatched from his grasp, she swiftly read it through, feeling her hands clench.
The agreement stated that as his wife, she should publicly appear in certain outfits that is suitable and is agreed by him. Furthermore, now that she is married, her assets get to stay with her except for her company which she will have to hand it over to her husband or to work under him.
Her jaw tightened as she gazed back at Nur, tossing the paper, "in what doctrine is it written that I should obey...you? her voice came out, thick with malice. "To submit my late mother's company...? hah... how cheap...?
Nur's jaw ticked as he leaned in closer making her internally jolt, his lips were inches away from her own as his undeniable manly scent threatened to clog her senses,
"Ayse... read it all, read it well for this isn't my wishes, none of them are but your father's"
She shook her head, my father... she recalled their conversation that night, how she stormed out of his room with tears, how he had utterly dismissed her pleadings.
And... you agreed to this? her voice came out pained as she searched him. Nur looked away. He didn't bring himself to meet her eyes.
Hah... Ayse turned back, she stormed to the door and pulled at the knob, not even sparing him a glance--she walked out that instant.
The door clicked with a shut as Nur let out a breathy sigh, gazing at the bare bed, he flopped on to it and soon fell into oblivion.
To be continued>>>>>>>>>