Not One Sided

30. ...be by my side, always

Elçin's POV

"Safiye hatun!"

She came towards us. Mahmelek too stood behind her.

She came forward and further spoke,
"For now, Elçin hatun 'll not leave anywhere."

I looked at sultanım's face, he was quiet.
And then I asked,
"Ne? Safiye hatun, what are you saying? Ben--"

"Dur, Elçin."

She addressed the crowd and asked them to spread. She also told them that she'd address them regarding this.

"Ablam, iyi mısın? Did you face any problems arriving here?"
He asked her.

"Hayır kardeşim. Everything went good. "

He started talking to Mahmelek.
While Safiye hatun turned towards me.

I didn't have an idea of what was happening and also didn't utter a word out of confusion. She'd probably understood my confused looks so she herself began,

"Nasılsın kızım?"

"Iyiyim, ama.."

"Özür dilerim. We thought of reaching a bit early. But I'm glad that we atleast reached on time. You've even packed your things ama I think it's not a big problem as those might be just outfits and a few other things. Am I right?"

"Ama Safiye hatun, why did you come here? And why am I not leaving? My brain isn't at its place these days. I don't understand anything what really happens."

I sighed in exhaust and she chuckled.

"You'll get all your answers from my brother."

"I've travelled such a long distance. Won't you-"

I didn't let her complete and told,
"Çok afedersin. I'll ask them to serve the food. Hadi, I'll take you to your yurt."

Few minutes later, Mahmelek too came to the yurt.

They were having their food whilst I left and headed towards his yurt.

He was twirling his sword around and stopped when I entered.

"Elçin, gel.."

"Bu ne, sultanım?"

He sighed.
"Elçin, please don't get annoyed and just listen to me for two minutes. And then say whatever you want to."

He looked at me with hopeful eyes and pointed towards the sofa and I sat.
He too sat maintaining a little distance.

"How do I say...bilmiyorum. Elçin, the other day I couldn't confess much and even now, I can't."

He sighed again and held my hands and further told,

"Elçin, I didn't realise but you've become my strength, the light of my darkness and the flame that burns in me."

His words sounded very beautiful and the genuineness in his beautiful eyes melted my heart.
I felt as to not utter a word but just listen to him silently.

"Elçin, I don't know how to frame it in words ama-ama I just want you to be by my side, always. I want us to begin a new journey.."

He grew even closer to me and gently took the turban off my head. His fingers ran across my hair and his forehead touched mine.
His nose rubbed mine and in a low voice he told,
"Elçin.."

"Efendım.."

"Will you be my bride...again?"

_______________

Hayır kardeşim - No, my brother

Gel - come

Bu ne sultanım? - What is this my sultan?

Nasılsın kızım - How are you, my daughter?

Çok afedersin- Really sorry

Bilmiyorum - I don't know