Locked in the memory

Chapter 13: The meet Part 2

Hayat POV

The last I remember was yelling at him and now suddenly I'm in his hug. This hug is comforting but right now I don't want to walk down that lane. I was angry on him for giving me false hopes. Had I not received that voice message that day, I would have waited for him till it was too late to run away. Once the functions would have started, Mr Hashmet would've watched me like a hawk. I get it he didn't want to do anything with me. I understand that and I'm not mad because of that but why lie! I would have been stuck there for who knows how long!! I tried squirming my way out of his hug.

Murat POV

I realised that something is amiss. There is a lot of misunderstanding. I don't know how it happened but this is my last chance to get her home or to explain her anything. If I miss now, she'll be gone forever. When she finally pushed me away I tried my last desparate attempt, "Hayat. Please. Talk to me. There is some misunderstanding. I had come. Infact I even told Doruk to convey it to you. I couldn't come before. Please let's just talk. Somewhere quiet. Over some food? If you don't mind?"

Hayat POV:

Honestly I had no interest in finding out what went wrong that night. But food made me rethink my decision. If I stay here, I won't be able to 'eat' eat. I would be interupted the entire night, fake laughs, alcohol glasses constantly refilled and this music. My head hurts just at the thought of it and my stomach rumbling just got louder. I studied his eyes for a moment and looks like he was desperately trying to get my Yes. I said, "Okay, but I will talk it out with Theo first. If you have bid Theo goodbye, wait by my car in the parking lot." I gave him my car number and took his leave. I heard him leave a sigh of relief while walking away. On my way to Theo, I was stopped and was forced to make small talks. Not that I hate mingling around, but right now I just wanted food. I finally made my way to Theo and saw Murat taking his leave. 

"Hello my beautiful lady!" Theo said while putting on his charming smile and introduced me to two other designers standing there. "It was a pleasure to meet you. Now gentlemen, do you mind excusing us for a minute?" We walked away heading towards backstage. "Theo can I please leave right now?" He studied my face while saying "Is there anything wrong? Are you not feeling well?" I didn't see the point to lie to him so said, "Honestly, I'm not sick but I will be if I stay here longer. I need to eat and stay away from alcohol and loud music. Also I have to pack for my flight tomorrow" I guess he saw the sincerity in my words and hugged me to bid goodbye. "I'm letting you go now. But I am seeing you tomorrow before you leave okay?" he said. "Okay. Have a great night!" I replied.

I made my way to the backstage and changed my outfit from a gown to a dressy suit. And made my way to the parking through backentrance.

Murat POV

I walked down to the parking lot. It would've been very helpful if she told me make and model, but all she gave was a number and colour. Luckily I didn't have to search for long. I easily found her car and I was impressed to say the least. She owned a Audi A6. She did turn her life around 180 degrees in these years. Soon after I heard footsteps and turned around to see her. She looked like a BOSS lady. I couldn't take my eyes of her. After sitting in her car she asked if I had particular dish in my mind that I wanted to eat. "Anything works for me" I replied.

Well her idea of anything was fast food from her favourite food chain. Chipotle. She ordered a takeaway and the total bill was 80 CAD for us. Expensive but I kept my thoughts to myself. She really must be hungry. And if I say anything, she'll chew me out. I don't remember how long the ride was but we arrived Cypress Mountain Vancouver Outlook. She handed me my share of food and just when I was about to eat she said, "You have time till I finish eating this burrito. Say what you have to say. After I finish this and I don't feel like I want to hear you anymore, I'll call you an uber." 

I knew I had too little time. So I began trying to squeeze everything with as many details as possible. "Okay I'll start from the beginning. I was mad at you and didn't stop you from leaving Istanbul. But when Tuval came to break the news that you were getting married I realised what was at stake. I was angry but did not mean that I wanted to give you up. I was about to leave to get you back but I received a call from my father stating that Azmi Sahiba was admitted to a hospital. She was in a delicate condition and so I had to stay. The night before her discharge I had Doruk convey the message through Asli that I was coming to get you. I had no idea if your phone was with you or had been taken away. I was coming to ask for your hand and if refused, to flee away with you. That night I was anxious. I was trying to figure out plans to flee in case I'm refused by Mr. Hashmet. Morning I go to the hospital to complete formalities to get Azmi Sahiba discharged. Doruk had left his phone behind when it started ringing. I tried finding him but I could not and the caller was Asli, so I picked it up. And then I received the most devastating news: you had ran away. I had no idea why or how or where. Immediately I along with Kerem and Doruk, flew down to your village. There we read your letter. Reread it several times. Traced you to the Giresun airport and then the Istanbul one. But from that no where. Someone had helped you cover your tracks. I searched desperately for you till now. I never gave up the hope and here I am today." I was observing her face carefully while narrating the painful past. Various emotions were flashing across her eyes too. I realised she was nearly at the end of her burrito but I hadn't convinced her or given her one reason to come back. So I added, " Whatever happened between us is long gone. I still do love you but I have a feeling that you hate me now. So I won't ask you to come back for me. But I have two news for you. Ipek and Karem are getting married. Soon. And Doruk has proposed Asli officialy. Come back for them."  The look on her face told me that she was convinced.

Hayat POV

Well I didn't know how much of the story told by Murat was true. I was reliving my days of that timeline when he was narrating his side. I wasn't convinced but the news he gave me about Ipek and Asli, I knew I had to get back. "Looks like it has been time. Many years have passed since I met Ipek and Asli. Anyways tomorrow I'm going home to meet my family. I guess I will meet them as well. We have to discuss a lot of things before that though. I'll tell you my address. We can meet and then plan on how I will surprise my girls. Although after landing the first entire day I will be with my parents. So we'll meet around wednesday if you will be back to Istanbul by then." He gave me a confusing look while saying, " Yes I will be back. Infact I have a flight tomorrow as well. But you said you were meeting your parents first. You were in contact with them the whole time?" "Relax Mr. Sarsilmaaz. I'm not Hayat Pektas, the daughter of your father's bestfriend. Neither am I Hayat Uzun, the granddaughter of Mr Hashmet. Good Heavens, it is getting late. We should finish eating and head home. Where am I supposed to drop you off?"

I was not giving him my name easily. But I will introduce myself soon when I'm back in Istanbul. After hearing his side and the news of my two bestfriends getting engaged and married, made me change my opinion of him. Oh wait he confessed he still loves me. Now, I'm in mood to play Mr. Sarsilmaz. And Hayat Tepeli loves playing games. Watch out for the next few days.

Murat POV:

After she dropped me off, I started packing my bags. Looking back at the evening, she seemed to have changed her opinion about me. She was talking to me. She made plans to meet me again in Istanbul. But she didn't tell me her last name. So she met a loving family who supported her. Why do I feel like I'm have rollercoaster kind of days ahead. Nonetheless, she is coming back to Istanbul. I'm excited!

The next day:

My flight departure was 13:40. Lufthansa airlines. I met Theo for breakfast where he briefed me about details of his move on his lady love and later went with him to park my car at his house. 2 months. He can use it if he needs. When we came back, I packed up some left over stuff. Emptied the fridge and gave the fresh food that would go bad to Theo. I covered up the furniture and he dropped me at the airport. 

I had a lot to do and plan. I hope when I meet Asli and Ipek, they forgive me for running away without informing them. And everything is back to good. It was a long flight and I don't remember when did I fall asleep because when I woke up the last time, the flight attendants were taking orders for the meal and the next time I woke up to the pilots announcement that we will be landing at the airport of Istanbul shortly.