GonBor- A Gonca hatun and Boran alp story

First Chance... Over a goat

Boran alp P.O.V

I step outside my tent, freshly dressed, and take a deep breath. Today I would finally make my move, or at least that was the plan. The beautiful girl who accompanied Osman Bey's wife has been stuck in my head for ages now. After hours of pep talks, I am going to talk to her. I take a quick look around and see Dumrul and Ayaz sitting outside. 'Great, these jokesters won't leave me alone as soon as they see me.' Just as I was devising a plan to escape unnoticed, I hear the voices of the two alps behind me. 

"Ya Boran Kardesh! If Osman Bey were to see you now, he'd ask if you were going to a wedding." I let out a sigh, this is just perfect. Dumrul alp comes up behind me, putting a hand to my shoulder. "Boran Kardesh, even the chickens know what you are up to." They're probably right. My usual dirt-streaked face is clean and my clothes were brand new.  I crouch down by the fire where a pot of water is bubbling and rub some of the dark ashes onto my hands. I quickly rub the ash across my face and mess up my ponytail. Good, now I look like an alp who is always on duty. "Eyvallah, brothers", I say and speed out of there quickly.

I bet they're following me, knowing them they wouldn't miss an opportunity to tease me. I'm rubbing the extra ash onto my pants when I see her. Gonca, Bala hatun's best friend. I see her collecting milk from the goats in the pen. This is my chance, this is going to be super embarrassing. I take a deep breath and set inside the pen. "Selam Aleykum", I greet. "May it be easy", Gonca looks up at me smiling slightly. "Wa Aleykum Selam", She greets back in her soft, yet steady voice. 'Okay now think Boran, what do you do?' A voice inside my head says. "It's being stubborn", she says gesturing towards the goat. "It won't give me milk". Well, that's strange, I'm sure I saw her do it earlier. Just as I try to think of something logical to say, I blurt out. "Maybe you just don't know how to do it", I tell her. 'Crap, Ahmak Boran. Why did you have to say that?!' 

Gonca hatun just raises her eyebrows at me, forcing me to look into her dark eyes. "Then, why don't you do it, Boran alp?" She taunts, "No", I say before my brain can think. "It's a woman's job", I tell her. 'Wow, Boran you're really on a roll today.'  Gonca Hatun simply rolls her eyes at me and is about to go back to her work when I speak up. "If I can milk the goat, Will you race your horse with me?" I ask hopefully, she looks down blushing slightly. "Fine, It's not like you'll be able to do it anyway." She tells me confidently, as I walk slowly to the goat. 'What have I gotten myself into?'  "Please don't embarrass me," I whisper to the goat before I try to milk the goat.

Surprisingly, the goat gives milk. I thank God a thousand times over, I guess I'm not going to die of embarrassment today. I fill the bucket up before standing up and handing the pail to Gonca. She looks up at me with wide eyes, which make me forget my words. "Thank you," Gonca says with a tone that's between surprise and amusement. I feel my face flush, "We will race soon", I tell her. "Be ready," and with that I press my hand to my chest and turn, stepping out of the pen. Then I see them, Ayaz and Dumrul standing at the stables, watching me. The dreamy look on my face drops and my face goes bright red as Dumrul pretends to milk a goat laughing. 

Later that day, Goktug comes back from duty, and from the knowing smirk on his face, he already knows. Mercifully he stays away from the subject, but something tells me he's planning something. Just like his older brother, teasing me is Goktug's favorite pass time. Later on, Ayaz, Dumrul, Baysungur, Gence Bey, Goktug and I are sitting in the alp tent about to eat dinner. I sat twirling my spoon absent-mindedly as I replayed the day's events in my head. I dreamed about the day I would Gonca to look into my eyes instead of looking away. "Boran Kardesh", a voice startles me out of my daydream. I look around, all the alps are watching me in amusement. Great. "What's up? You seem dreamy today." Goktug asks like he doesn't know all about it. I narrow my eyes at him. He just smirks back. Jerk

"Alplar!" Ayaz begins dramatically, "I think we should have some nice warmed milk on this cold night." The alps exchange glances, "Boran Kardesh, why don't you get since you are so skilled in the task?" Snickering is heard around the tent as my face begins to redden and I roll my eyes. "Boran?" Goktug asks, "Is that ash on your face?" Dumrul and Ayaz chuckle mischievously, "It sure is, Goktug".  My face is probably starting to look like a tomato, I knew it would be too much to ask for them not to say anything. "Boran kardesh, I'm sure Bamsi Bey will be glad to give you love advice." Baysungur pipes up. Goktug snorts and the other alps just burst into laughter. "At least, he finally talked to her instead of just staring at her all day." Goktug quips. 

That really sends them all over the edge, doubling over in laughter while I bury my bright red face in my hands. At least Osman Bey or Bamsi Bey isn't here. They would really get them worked up. While everyone tries to contain their laughter, a look at my face sends them over again. Just as Bamsi Bey walks in and takes in the alps out of breath in laughter and my bright red face.

I look over to Goktug shooting him a warning look.  Don't you dare

Authors note: Salaam everyone, I hope you enjoyed this chapter, this is my first time posting my writing, so here is a little about me. I'm a middle school girl and I love Islamic history. My favorite show is Kurulus Osman and I love to write. please leave a comment and let me know if you want to see more. Constructive criticism is welcome!