Diminutives

A lone Stranger- Part 3

"I can't live without you", Noor was trying to hug Serhat but he pushed her away. "Leave me, Noor", he scolded her. Today, after many days, she managed meet him at his home. She had no intention to return back home without his acceptance. "I love you", she told tearfully. "No, you don't love me, Noor. This is just a phase. You will get over it soon", he tried to drive some sense into her. "You are running away just because Azaan caught you making out with me", she lashed at him, "I thought you had more courage to stand up for us". "You know nothing about me to judge me", he sneered at her. "Neither you can determine my feelings for you", she snapped back. He sighed and tried to rein his anger. He knew there was no point arguing with Noor. He has to talk and sort it out with her, "I know it perfectly well, Noor. Because I was just like you".

Serhat sat down and looked at the horizon. He pulled out his phone and showed a photograph to Noor. She saw a beautiful lady clad in a simple white dress. It appeared to be a wedding photo. Her visage was pleasant but her eyes didn't seemed to have sparkle of a bride. "She is Zumrut", he told her. "Your wife?", she asked anxiously. "Love of my life", he laughed at himself, "But I couldn't make her my wife". He sat down being broken. She could understand that Serhat had lost his love. "I ran away from home and family to forget her. And I managed a little", he chuckled, "but again it all came back to me with force. Do you know when?". Noor stood amazed. "When I saw Azaan yesterday", he wiped away a lone tear that escaped his eye, "the broken look in his eyes reminded me of my Zumrut's pain".

"Zumrut loved horses", Serhat smiled recalling her, "we were childhood buddies. Elders decided our engagement when we were toddlers. We both knew that we were destined to be wedded one day". Noor could related it to herself and Azaan. "She was always there with me. I was so used to her that I failed to notice her care and character. After my parents death, my Uncle became head of the family. When I was supposed to go abroad for studies, my Uncle insisted on engagement with Zumrut. I agreed since it didn't make any difference to me because she was my best friend". 

Noor was finding it difficult to listen while Serhat was talking about another woman. It was evident that Serhat is still smitten by Zumrut. "I failed to notice that I was not just a friend to her. She could have refused for the long engagement and married another. Any man would have been lucky to have her. But she chose me and agreed to wait". "Then what happened?", Noor was getting impatient. She was getting jealous of Zumrut.

Serhat sighed, "My horizon widened when I went abroad. I was enchanted by offerings of the modern world. It was flamboyant and alluring. Amidst those overwhelming colour, I met Deniz". "Deniz??", Noor's gasped. She rubbed her temples in frustration. How many women were there in this man's life?. "She was gorgeous, outspoken and independent. I was attracted towards her instantly and soon we started to date", he looked ashamed, "I was afraid to break engagement with Zumrut, fearing that my Uncle will revoke financial support. Hence I continued being betrothed to Zumrut while dating Deniz. Finally when I returned home, Deniz arrived with me as my wife". "What???", Noor was aghast. She was jealous of Zumrut who appeared to have captured her man's heart. But when she realized his unjust act, as a woman she felt disgusted about Serhat.

"I still remember Zumrut's eyes when she found my ugly truth. She was devastated. Her heart and trust were broken alike. But she was proud to broke down before me. While others questioned and rebuked me, she stood silent. "I hope she slapped you left, right and center", Noor fumed. He laughed, "I expected too but she didn't. Not even once she asked me. Since my Uncle retired and I had legally taken over the family business, he couldn't cut me off anymore . Sadly they all realised how meticulously I have deceived everyone". 

"What happened to Zumrut?", now Noor was eager to know. "It was a huge scandal. She had passed her prime age of marriage while waiting for me. Many started to spread rumours about her character and our relationship. A family feud was threating to break. Everyone vindicated my Uncle who had tied Zumrut to his wayward nephew and risked her future. At the end to save honour of both families, my widower Uncle agreed to marry Zumrut". Noor was shocked.

"This was from her wedding", Serhat caressed the photograph, "When she looked at me, he eyes bore no feelings for me. That day I realised that I lost something very precious". "Where is your wife?", Noor asked sarcastically. "We didn't work out. Our marriage didn't stand even for an year", Serhat replied. "Let me guess. Karma hit you. Deniz changed as she was after your money. She cheated and left you penniless", she told dramatically. "Ofcourse not", he was defensive about his ex-wife, "Deniz didn't change. But I changed. Her bold and independent nature started to irritate me. As time passed, those attractive traits in her, no longer appealed to me. It was just attraction and we were never in love. When we realised our mistake, we mutually decided to part ways".

"Oh!!", Noor's admiration towards Serhat have dimmed but she still wanted him, "Then what?". "I was too embarrassed to return home. But when my Uncle passed away, I have to", Serhat explained, "Perhaps, I hoped to reconcile with Zumrut". "Did you?", she asked curiously. He smiled, "Zumrut changed a lot. She was no longer a naïve girl but grew into a matured woman. She treated me respectfully but acted like a stranger. It still amazes me how she handled my ailing Uncle, our business and ran household along. But it also saddened me that she was no longer my sweet girlfriend but a stonehearted widow".

Noor was supposed to feel jealous but she started to admire Zumrut. "Were you able to share your feelings with her?", she asked genuinely. He nodded, "It was difficult but gathered enough courage to propose to her. But she denied. As days passed it became more and more difficult to come in terms with our lives. Everyone blamed me for spoiling Zumrut's life. But none saw that her misfortune was punishment for me. I couldn't take it anymore and decided to flee".

Noor finally managed to see Serhat in a different light. He was no longer a Hero from a romantic drama series but a flawed human. "Don't repeat my mistakes", Serhat told her, "Azaan truly loves you. You are refusing his pure feelings for a temporary infatuation". Noor didn't know how to react to his advice. It was true that Azaan was supposed to be her groom but somehow she was unable to feel for him ardently.

"Do you know why I liked spending time with you?", Serhat's voice broke her train of thoughts, "Because you are just like me, Noor. Full of dreams and aspirations but without guidance. You too desire to live in a fake colourful world but trust me it will become meaningless when you lose your loved ones".