Locked in the memory

Chapter 23: The past, the present and the future!

Murat POV:

Everyone gathered for dinner. Since Hayat had texted for it to be a potluck kind everyone had chipped in and bought food. Tuval bought dessert - a chocolate cake. Serkan and Asli had prepared a cheese board with fruits. Hayat bought multiple bottles of wine. Ipek and Kerem got Taco Casserole and Salad while I ordered Mexican Rice.

Dinner was a lovely affair. A man had arrived to collect our passports during dinner. Serkan was using his contacts to get us Visas in few hours. After dinner Serkan and Hayat got together. They wanted to tell something. About their family. Wait a minute 'their' family? Murat stop assuming. Let them tell their story.

Hayat starts, "So as you know I ran away and met Cihangir at the airport. We went to Japan and stayed together. I graduated and shifted to Canada. What I didn't tell you is on the first Christmas after I met Cihangir, his parents offered to adopt me. I agreed and got my name. Ms. Hayat Tapeli. Yes the 'Ms. Tapeli purchasing your house is me'" She said looking at me. and continued, "The hot guy 'Cihangir' who was with me when you saw me for the first time is my brother. He was calling me 'Vita' which meant Life in Italian. Hayat, my name, also means Life. He was calling me Vita only to irk you Murat. He didn't like you very much." Serkan continued, "I am her first cousin. Her mother and my mother are sisters. And we as cousins are basically inseparable. I am very successful in architecture. Landscaping is my specialty. My business is widespread in Europe and I plan to expand that the North American continent and would prefer it if you, Asli, shift with me there. Also my father and Hayat's father have been best friends since high school" Hayat continued from there, "The thing is, Asli there is something you do not know about our family. And we want you to know us before you marry and become one of us. We'll be honest. Our family is very powerful as my father and his brother have influence over Turkey and other surrounding regions of Europe. It's a long history. If you do your research you will come to know that Tapeli is a very powerful name." "While my Dad isn't in this business since my mom and her mom are sisters we have experienced our fair share of violence in the early days." Serkan said. "How violent are we talking about?" Asli asked. "I can't really give you a measure of the violence but here's an incident that should pretty much explain you everything." He paused. Looks like he was gathering all his guts to confess. "You see, Hayat is the most non-violent person among us siblings and in general as compared to our parents. But she has thrashed a powerful persons sports car while it was parked outside our house and he was having a conversation with her father." He said. "She did what?" I asked looking aghast. "Don't be so shocked Murat. She has almost had a powerful person's son killed just because Ilhan uncle and Cihangirs life was in danger" Serkan added. He looked proud of his sister and at the same time was feeling a little nervous confessing the crimes. Everyone was looking at Hayat. That innocent face is capable of doing this? "So this is the story. We had met Doruk while coming back from my house. The way Hayat spoke to him, actually sent chills down my spine. Now I know why" said Ipek breaking the silence. "You have a powerful 'BOSS BITCH' aura around you." added Kerem. Serkan like a gentleman asked Asli "Do you still want to marry me and be a part of my family?" "Yes!" She replied. If only Doruk wasn't so caught up in his mom's lies. He would have been here instead of Serkan!

Hayat POV:

Serkan pulled me aside and told me, "Now that things are out in the open, I guess you should tell them about the video clip I and Cihangir showed you the other day." I agreed. So I went back to them and took Murat's hand in mine, "Murat, there is something else you should know." I looked into his eyes and continued, "I did not know why Azmi Sahiba was hospitalized when everything was happening back then. When you sent a message through Doruk saying you would come for me, I was very happy. I went to the bathroom when I received a voice message. It was a recording between you and Azmi Sahiba. The recording ended when you said 'Hayat is not my concern.' It was followed by a minute of silence so I thought it wasn't cut in between. The woman then used that minute of silence to sow the seed of doubt in my mind. She was successful. And I, convinced that you won't come, ran away. When we met back in Canada you told me your side of story. I couldn't decide which of the version was truth, so when I came back, I had asked Serkan and Cihangir to find out who sent the audio clip. My these two wonderful boys, found it." I paused. I wanted Murat to believe that his brother had done this. So I asked Serkan to get my laptop. I would play the clip if needed but I had to get Murat to accept the reality. "I know you and Doruk are close even though Derya never treated you right. But Murat believe me Doruk and Derya recorded and sent the message." I paused, giving him time to reply. After few minutes of silence, I said, "Do you want to watch the video?" He nodded no and pulled me in a hug. "I trust you. I trust you Hayat." I freed myself from his hug and kissed his forehead. "I knew something was up with him but I... But I did not think he would stoop this low. Why would he do this to me? I loved him like my own little brother!" he broke down. "I am still figuring that out. But trust me I am going to avenge them for doing wrong to us."
To cheer everyone up I said, "Everyone cheer up! Asli is getting married tomorrow in our mother's hometown. We are leaving at 5am. Visas are taken care of. Our family is coming to attend the wedding. Is there anyone else you want to invite?"  Asli nodded a no. It was 10pm and since we were leaving early in the morning we decided to call it a night. The girls i.e., Me, Asli, Ipek and Tuval were sleeping in my room. And Murat, Kerem and Serkan were sleeping in his. We had put extra bedding and in the mean time Kerem had repaired the issue with the other bathroom.

We stayed up till 11 in the bed. It was after all Asli's last night as a single woman. Since, we couldn't throw her a bachelorette party, we decided to celebrate later. At around 11:30 I still couldn't sleep. The girls had slept. Maybe let's call Milo. Milo has been my neighbor/best friend when I was in Canada. She shifted to Manchester for a job few months before I came to Istanbul. We hadn't talked in a while. So I grabbed a blanket, made a cup of coffee and headed to backyard.

(The girl in front is Hayat and the one in the back is Milo)

Murat POV:

I could not sleep the whole time. Finally around 12 o clock I got up from the bed and went out. I could see someone was up in the backyard. On moving closer I realized it was Hayat.

Third Person POV. For the phone conversation, text in bold is Milo speaking. Text in Italics is Hayat speaking. Murat can hear only Hayat's side.

Remember the two best friends I always missed? One of them was getting married so I flew down to Istanbul. But you were not in contact with any of them right? So how did you know? That is a long story I'll tell it to you in person. Come down here then! Let's explore Manchester! Okay definitely will come down. So the other one, Asli announced that she is getting married tomorrow. I am so excited! My two best friends are getting married! You sure you won't secretly get married without me? Of course not Melo! You will get an invitation and will be my bridesmaid! Bridesmaid reminds me, remember the serial I always used to watch? I just finished binge watching it's second season. The female lead's sister ends up marrying the guy you hated. Oh god seriously?! I would never marry him. Come on man you don't have trust, you have gigantic ego. Because of this everyone suffers. Why should I give you another chance? I would much rather settle down with Osman. At least I won't be struggling to maintain trust for the remaining life. I know I know. But you are not the lead's sister. And if they give practical logic in the series, it won't get anymore plot or
TRP. Anyways, we'll continue this discussion sometime later. It must be very late there. Sleep. Yes I will go to bed now. I love you Melo! I love you too Hayat. Please fly in and meet me soon. Text me your address in Manchester. I will visit. Not telling you the dates. I want to see that surprise on your face. Okay okay fine. (Hangs up) Hayat looks at the sky smiling.

Murat POV:

So this is what she thinks about me? I agreed my trust issues and ego issues caused the mess but she won't even give me a chance? She was ready to settle with Osman instead of me? Wait who is this Osman. I decided to just sit down next to her.

"Oh you are still up?" she asked. Damn, whoever this Milo person is has got her smiling. Wait Milo is a girl or a guy? "Yes. Couldn't sleep. You seem in a good mood." I hinted hoping to get some information out of her. "Oh yes, I am happy. Talked to an old friend after a long time. Also I am very happy for Asli." She said. "You know, back in the time when I was continuing the facade of being Suna Pektas and had just started falling in love with you, Ipek was very realistic while Asli was a supportive friend. So after getting to know what Doruk did to her, I am genuinely happy she is marrying Serkan. She won't regret it." She smiled. That smile and those dimples. My heart was going crazy. "Falling in love with me huh? That reminds me you never told me about your love life in the past years." Please spill out the information Hayat! "We have to get up early to catch the flight Murat. We should continue that conversation sometime later." She said wishing Good night and going to sleep. Leaving me puzzled. Who is Milo? Who is Osman!? It is going to be a tough task falling asleep tonight.