Locked in the memory

Chapter 7: The Hollow Life

Well the issue continues. So I'm publishing it again but chapter name is not getting saved. So here you go:

Update: Issue solved

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Murat POV:

I woke up before my alarm rang. I could hardly sleep at night. I had no will to live. I was just dragging the days of my life. My life my Hayat had been taken away from me. Or more better she ran away from me. Today is 1st December. In few days, it will be 3 years for that worst day. 3 Years since Asli told me Hayat had run away. I tried everyday. I tried everyday to search her. The letter she sent to Ipek and Asli, I have its copy. I even have the copy of the CCTV footage of the airport from that day.

I began my morning by rereading the letter in hopes of finding a clue that I may have missed. That's the only thing keeping me alive physically. Hope. Hope that someday I will find my Hayat. Someday I will get my happily ever after. But today is not that day as I couldn't find anything in it. I got out of my bed, did my morning business and got ready for the day.  I quickly rush downstairs only to hear a loud bickering. Between my mom and my stepmom Deriya. 

Yes I found my mom. Few months ago I received a call at night from the hospital. Turns out she was drunk and collapsed on a Police's car. They admitted her to the hospital. The only number in her contact book was mine. I brought her to our family house on my grandmother insistence. She wanted to live together since she was getting married in December. Yes you heard it right. My grandmother Azme Sahiba was getting married to none other than Hashmet Dada, Hayat's grandfather. To him he had no granddaughter. She was dead to him. My dad went on tour mid November and is expected to come home in time for grandmother's wedding. She was no where to be seen and that is why these two ladies fought on some topic that I have no interest in finding out. I quickly made my way to the office.

Tuval POV:

Murat came and headed straight to his office. He was alive but his soul was dead. I took our coffees and headed towards his office. 

Me: Good morning Murat.

"Good Morning" he replied

Before I could attempt to make a small talk he added, "No I did not have my breakfast nor I wish to have it now. I'll have my lunch. Send whatever you like. Also have you started designing our summer collection? Send me designs as soon as you are done. Call Cagla (Murat's assistant) right now." When she came he continued, "Send me the bills to be paid. Look for fabric vendors after discussing with Tuval. I want this collection to be launched in time. Is there any update from the guy who looks after foreign relations of Turkey?" He looked disappointed when her response was negative. "Send me today's schedule. You both can leave."

On our way out we both looked concerned for Murat. After parting ways with Cagla I dashed into Doruk and as usual he tried spreading happiness where ever he went.

"Hello beautiful lady!" He wished me "Someone is very happy today. " I stated. "Ain't I always give off happy-go-lucky vibe?" He questioned. "You do. But something is special today. What's the catch?" I asked while we sat down at my table. "Tuval! Tuval! Tuval! I'm so happy today. Asli was so disturbed after Hayat ran away. You know I was trying to convince her that is wasn't their fault she ran away. She was the best friend anyone could have. And Hayat cared for them and worried for their safety that's why she didn't reveal her plans. She knows that these girls loved her and she loved them back. So she slowly came out of that phase. And yesterday she agreed to date me!!!" I was genuinely happy for him. But his mention of how it had affected the girls reminded me of Murat. He could sense my worries when I congratulated him. And on insisting I said, " Doruk, Asli has you. Ipek has Karem. Hayat's mother has these girls. But what about Murat? He has shut himself up. To others he seems like a strict business man. But I know deep within he cries like a child. He misses Hayat. So much that he has become a hollow man. He is living a hollow life. And I'm genuinely worried." " I tried hooking him up with some friends. Nothing serious but they liked him and I thought maybe getting some physical intimacy will ease him up. But he turned all of them down. Since then I quit trying." answered Doruk. I don't know what but something about Doruk didn't sit right. Perhaps I will figure it out later. 

For now I need to work on the collection. Otherwise, Murat wouldn't think twice before eating me alive.

Murat POV:

The day ended. I was back to my house instead of the family house. Yes I needed peace. And since I know Azme sahiba has gone for a trip, the ladies will bicker day and night. And I don't have energy to deal with that. Karem is staying with me for dinner. Yes Karem and I made up within days after Hayat.. Hayat Hayat Hayat. If only I could hold her right now. If only I could hug her tight and never let her go. If only I had given her a chance to explain....

"Stop blaming yourself Murat. Everyone has weaknesses. You had yours. But not anymore. She taught you a lesson. A fit of rage will ruin everything. It did. She chose what she wanted. And now it's you. You learned the lesson. I won't ask you to move on as I know you love her even today. But turn the GOD DAMN page over." shouted Karem.

"What do you want me to do?" I asked exhausted. 

"Live. And by live I do not mean survive. Live the life. Don't party if you don't want to. But at least look after yourself. Look at yourself. All the grief has taken a toll on you. If Hayat returns, she will definitely leave after seeing you." he spat angrily.

The last sentence did hit me right though. I decided to look after myself. And that would begin by eating a good dinner and trying to sleep peacefully. 

Karem and I ate in silence and he took his leave soon after. The silence wasn't awkward. I do not know whether I grew close to Karem or I drifted away from Doruk but Doruk behaved odd. To think of it, he behaved odd since the incident. Could he...? No he is my baby brother. He wouldn't do such a thing. You are over thinking Murat. Sleep.