It was 1:47 am at midnight. When the phone rung at both Asya & Altan's chamber. Asya's eyes stirred as she then gazed to right at her husband's face for a few seconds. Once she heard the sound of the ring--she rose up. Altan... honey, her voice came out, low, hoarse. She patted at his back. "Hmm? what is it?" he asked in a feverish manner. When he too heard the chime of the phone--he quickly got up. He grabbed the phone, the bright call log showed, from the hospital.
His brows creased, "Asya... it is from the hospital" She hums, "Well... get it, honey" He hesitates, he then pressed it against his ears.
H-Hello?
The couple braced for the news. Asya watched as he husband's face turned pale. His grip on the phone loosened as it then fell with a thud. His eyes settling on the floor before he looked at her.
Soon in the other room--Asya quickly woke up a sleeping Ayse. She gazed at her grandmother in a dazed manner-though that completely vanished when she say her eyes. Oh, her eyes. They were pure terror. Before she could even register whatever that was going on--she was already in the car with her grandfather, Altan--driving through the dark streets in a frantic manner.
Ayse's eyes glimmered, she turned and looked at her grandmother who sobbed. A sort of fear filled in her. Why was she crying? where were they going? she didn't know? she couldn't tell...
Though that all became clearer once they reached the Tedavi hospital. There Ayse clutched on to her grandmothers hands as she stared up at the large complex. The next she know was her being quickly ushered inside. Her grandmother let go off her hands when she saw the receptionist. She strode to the front dusk. Meanwhile, Ayse just stood there, taking in the unfamiliar, pungent smell of medicine. She gazed down at the squeaky clean floors. Just then--Asya called her.
The two soon got to the ICU--where Ayse saw her father. Her eyes lit up. "Baba...!" he didn't reply. He just sat there, staring on to the ground. His hands were wrapped around a white cloth. She raised his brows, is that the baby...? she seen the cloth on her little cousin--Leyla.
Asya's hands shot up to her face as she muffled her sobs. She then began to slowly walk to Burak. Though was quicker, baba...? her legs moved in little steps. She reached him. As soon as her hands tapped at his lap, he stared right at her.
Ayse though tilted her head, "Baba...why are you crying?" a beat "i-is that my brother?" Asya reached for the child from Burak, he handed it to her. Then rose to his feet. Asya turns at him with bloodied eyes, her brows knitting, "Where are you going?" she questioned him.
Burak halted for a second, "I... cannot... he choked out. "I just... Asya shook her head in disbelief. "Are you being serious? w-what do you mean you cannot?" Burak did nothing but turned and shot her a glare, "I lost my wife... the mother of my children... a part of myself--I will have to live with the fact that I couldn't protect her... his hands shook, "W-What more can I do...?" He shook his head. "I want to step out for a minute"
Little Ayse watched her father walk out as she gazed at her grandmother. She slumped to the bench and sobbed like no more.
Lost...? my mother...? --And just like that, everything changed.
Hi! I am Ayse Azra Yildiz, the daughter of Meryem Azra Altan & Burak Dogan Yildiz. I am the heiress to two of the most powerful Kaplan families in Turkey. After the reunion of my parents, they both longed for children. Few months later--their prayers were answered as my mother found her self pregnant with me. My father was ecstatic at the news, from then on--he would keep her even more close to him. He would read to her and the baby, me. He would lovingly caress the swell of her belly, gazing at her, he promised that not even a single strand of her hair could be harmed, as he, her husband would not let it.
--And when the pregnancy progressed so did the condition of mother. She was exhausted even with not being able to lift a finger. Though this would came to an end as in the middle of the night, the labor pain kicked in. She jolted awake. My father too. She just gave him a look. "I think it is... happening" that was it. He rushed her to the hospital. There she was swiftly bought to the ICU. My father stayed outside the room. The chillness of the night pricked at him, yet he sat there, waiting, praying. The news reached my grandparents--they couldn't make a visit due to them being in Amasya. The labor lasted for a total of 17 hours. 17 hours of pure silence. 17 hours of him being away from my mother.
The wait was though worth it--as the doctor soon came out with a smile in his face, "Congrats, Mr. Burak, your wife has birthed a beautiful girl" When the news hit him, he heaved a deep sigh and almost ran in the room. He was greeted by my mothers face, she cradled me in my arms. He slid out a chair and scooted next to her.
"Thank God"... he whispered, he then reached out for my mother's feverish skin, "How are you my dear...? was it inhumane? was the pain tortures? his eyes pressed. My mother smiled gracefully, "Yes... perhaps but, she clasped his hands, fingers tracing the vein,, "Then I remembered that I am carrying your child... our child--the fruit of our love"
My father only embraced her in a tight hug. The following years were like this, me Ayse Azra. The news of a new addition to the Yildiz family went public--though my parents didn't permit any to even take a glimpse of me.
I am... quite thankful for that. I got the best education and of everything .The most important part? I had both my mother and father with me, all through out those years. Then a particular scandal happened with my father, Burak Dogan & with one of the Kaplan family corporation. Some families I am telling you... always fighting with each other... though that soon resolved and during this time--my mother fell pregnant again.
We were all joyed--perhaps I was the most happiest as I had no one to play with, no one to call my "My brother/sister"... the following 6 months flew by. That is when in the end of Eid. This happened and all of a sudden my mother was gone. My father isolated himself to old palace. My grandmother held the newborn at the hospital, I strode to her and looked at the bundled up baby's tiny face. I fell in love instantly, he looked so fervent, there was this pinkish hue to him.
"Grandmother... d-don't cry, I will take care of the baby, I will take care of my brother" with tears in her eyes, she only hugged me tight. The following years moved on--my baby brother grew older. I I kept my word and took care of him. I fed him, played with him. When the maids that were assigned didn't do their job or were careless. I cradled him. Growing older, he looked more like my father with his raven hair though had our mother's eyes.
During those times, my father didn't make a single visit. The only time that I come to remember was when I fell extremely sick with flu. For an hour. Then my grandmother attended to us. My grandfather passed away the same year my mother did. Possibly from heartbreak. He loved my mother, his daughter. He just didn't show it--"because that's just how fathers work, they don't show their love, they do it in quite action, getting to know their daughter, what she likes, what makes her face turn, who is the man that she stays up for the entire night, is he good? bad? they will personally investigate it" Those were my grandmother's words, so I put my trust in them.
Few years then at fourth grade--my name was called out from the intercom. I strode to the office, fearing for the worst--though upon entering, I found my chauffeur an the principle. He greeted me and told me that we have to return to the manor--that there were someone for me to meet.
"W-What about... Mehmed? should I go get him" He shook his head, "No need for that madam, he is already at the mansion by your father's request" and just like that, I was escorted to my home.
The guards parted the door as I saw to my front were my father and another man, they were in formal suit. It seems that they were here for a business as they shook hands. Then my eyes fell to boy, he seemed my age with blonde hair--a particular distinction from other Kaplans-if he was to be one. He had his head down and wore a black cardigan which made him look like my English teacher.
The men turned, after years--my father's eyes met mine. He nodded, his face was unreadable as I then walked in.
"That is your...? a pause then, "Daughter" a murmur as he watched me, "My daughter"... I smiled an awkward smile at the mister then at his son. He raised his head his eyes then fell to my hands.
"Hi, I am Ayse" he stared at it for a few seconds-then, "H-Hello... m-my name is.., Deniz Nur Hakan" he choked out. I only smiled at him. His father gave him a look, "why don't you go play and get to know one another"
That's how I now sit at the grand garden, on the swing-- with only a maid attending us. Nur Hakan stood by me, he clasped his hands. I tilted my head, he was so strange from the other kids. So composed with little to no words to say.
"Nur Hakan, is it?" His eyes shot to me, just a little widened. "Y-Yes... that's correct" So... like my English teacher. I heaved a sigh and looked to the ground, I could have stayed at school instead of this. I kicked at the grass, trying to move back, to swing. I swear I could never learn this thing.
"F-Forget to ask... what about yours?" "Ayse"I murmured without looking up. "Ayse... uh, your form isn't quite right" I finally looked up, "Beg you pardon?" He looks way, clasping his hands a little tighter, "W-What I meant was... he strode to my back, pointing my hands and the rope. "You are clenching on it too tight, just... he walks in near and wrapped his hands around the rope. Just hovering above my own.
"May I...?" I gave him a little nod--and that was it, I was off my feet. I saw stars within the movement, it was scary at first, of course. When he saw through my unease, he clenched both the rope and I could feel the air shift as he moved me a little closer to him.
I turned as our eyes met. Brown crashing with a pair or deep cyan. He seemed so ethereal. He looked away abruptly, "I-uh... I smiled, "That was great, thankyou" He only nodded, grazing at the back of his hair. "No worries"...
We then made our way in the mansion. Soon after the both left. My father too stood up. He gazed at me for a second then walked near me. I lowered my head. Just then my eyes widened as I then felt his fingers brush my head. They felt familiar, perhaps too familiar. My breath falter... he did it simultaneously.
"Did they take care you...well?" emotions welled up at me, all I wanted to do was to shake my head and yell at him until I pass out. How could he...? after all these times...
Though I said nothing and nodded. Then, he bought my chin up to meet his face. I stared at him, at how groggy his eyes were. Oh I hated him... I hated him so much, so much, perhaps too much that I cannot even say it out loud. I hated him yet--I couldn't help but tear up.
He then took his cold fingers away and just like that--he walked past me. I dropped my head and slumped to the floor. My fingers clenched on the fine rug, tears streaked my face.
Few days passed--that's when at school, a new student joined. We all watched with anticipation to who it was. I was gazing outside--though when I heard his voice. My eyes widened, my head then snapped to the front.
My mouth then parted dry... Nur Hakan?