Seher's Penitence

Seher's Penitence (Part 4)

"While I sleep, I dream of you, and while I wake, I long to hold you in my arms. If anything, our time apart has only made me more certain that I want to spend my nights by your side, and my days with your heart."

-Nicholas Sparks

Yaman noticed Seher's alarmed countenance and smiling to reassure her, he said," Don't worry, Seher. It is merely a scratch. I will wash it under water and wipe it clean. It's nothing."

Before he could say anything further, Seher cautiously took hold of his arm and led him towards the bathroom, her demeanor hinting Yaman that she would brook no argument!

She gently gripped his palm and held it under running water until the blood stopped flowing and thereafter, delicately washed his palm. Once done, she led him to the couch in the living room and made him sit down and beseeched, "Please wait here, Yaman! I am fetching a first aid box. Your hand needs dressing. And don't you dare budge from here!"

Yaman smiled dotingly at the way his wife was mothering over him and fretting over the minor bruise. His endearing and adorable wife could not hide her emotions at all! She was such a warm, affectionate woman, with no artifice and so much love to offer! If only she would let him love her too in return, the way she deserved..like a queen!

Seher hurriedly rushed back with the first-aid box and sitting down next to Yaman, asked anxiously, "Is it hurting too much??" Yaman gave her a charming, affable smile and responded, "Only when you are out of my sight." Seher could not resist his infectious smile and his disarming, lovable ways and smiled warmly at him, with her heart in her eyes!

She then gingerly lifted his injured palm and holding it in her lap, tenderly applied an antibiotic ointment to reduce the risk of infection and then covered it with a sterile bandage. Yaman glanced at her bent head with love and fondness and whispered, "I thought you hated me?"

Seher peered up at him and tears pooled in her eyes. Yaman was taken aback to see the intensity of pain and anguish in her eyes and dropping his bantering manner entirely, entreated, "Don't cry, precious. I was merely being playful. Forgive me." He then bent forward to wipe her tears with his other hand and lovingly kissed her eyelashes.

Seher finished the dressing and lifted up his bandaged palm very delicately, kissed it reverently, and uttered quietly, "You don't need to apologize, Yaman. And please don't hurt yourself, ever again!! It is unbearably distressing, and I cannot endure seeing you harmed in any way. Is the grief I have given you these past months not enough that you hurt yourself too? It is I who should ask for your forgiveness. Please be careful and take care of yourself. There are people around you who need you!"

Yaman cupped her face in his hands, caressed her cheeks, and planting a chaste kiss on her forehead, replied, "Seher, here, look into my eyes."

When Seher finally looked up at him, he gave her a comforting smile and said, "I promise to look after myself and be more cautious, sweetheart...so that I can always take care of you and Yusuf. And I pledge one more thing...that you will not have to bear the trials and tribulations of this life alone, ever again!"

Yaman decided that it was time to divulge the truth to Seher now!

He took her hands in his and kissing both her wrists, began, "Darling, I have something to declare. In fact, I have a confession to make. I know my actions have caused you immense grief and agony and I cannot apologize enough for that. And what I am about to say will mortify and hurt you even more, but the truth needs to be told now. I cannot see you straddling two different worlds and in such deep conflict between your head and your heart. It hurts me physically to see you in anguish and in such a quandary."