Locked in the memory

Chapter 31: Friends, Family and Promise

Hayat POV:

The rest of the day was spent in wedding preparations. The almost 2 week vacation with Melo, I had managed to design and stitch Ipek and Kerem's wedding dresses. The bridesmaid dresses and the groomsmen suits I had designed and out sourced to get it stitched. Since I had already bought Murat's house, we had decided that the ceremony would take place there and Murat suggested that the newly weds should settle down there. 

Me and Tuval were guiding the decorators. We had just finished the taste test of the menu we had agreed upon. The clothes were picked up. I was going to do Ipek's makeup while she had hired a hair stylist for everyone. Tuval had re-checked with baker regarding the wedding cake. The invitations had been sent while I was with Milo on a vacation. We had checked with the RSVPs and the seating arrangement. Finally around 4pm, we were done. At least, done giving instructions. The decorators were still setting things up. 

Cihangir and Serkan had picked up Murat from mid-way while returning from the Sarsilmaz house and none of the boys had updated me on what was going on with them. But something sure was up. "Speak of the angel and the angel appears" I said while answering Irem's FaceTime. "Where are you?" she asked. "On my way home." I answered as I sat in the car. Tuval was staying till the Decorators were done. "Fine I am waiting for you at your house." she said and disconnected before I could say anything. Weird. What is up now? Let the tomorrow's wedding be done in peace. Oh peace! I remember seeing Doruk's RSVP as yes. The invitation was sent to him before Murat and Asli's accident took place. I just hope he doesn't show up and even if he does, he doesn't create a scene tomorrow. 

When I reached the house, the house was surprisingly quite which was well against Irem's nature of blasting music to keep her company. "Irem?" "Irem?" I was calling across her name as I looked through the living room and the kitchen. A soft music began to play. "This must be Irem" I thought and followed the sound into the backyard. Instead of Irem, I was greeted with Murat. Dressed up. In a tux. 

I looked around to realise the surrounding. It was a setup. For proposal. Murat was proposing me? OH MY GOD. He stood there with a microphone in a hand and began his speech, "Hayat. My love, my life. I've done the mistake of losing you once, but not again. Not this time. If I lose you this time, I wouldn't know how to live. You are a literal angel that taught me to live, love, laugh. You are my friend, and I hope you would love to be my family. So Ms. Hayat Tapeli, will you marry me?" He kept the mic aside, sat down on one knee and popped out a ring box. This time the ring was much simple yet elegant. Exactly like my choice. "YES" I said and ran to him and hugged him. We were broken apart with claps. So we weren't alone? 

Irem, Cihangir, Serkan and Asli made themselves visible as they walked into the light from their hiding positions. Murat slipped the ring on my ring finger and kissed me on my forehead. "Come on now, we don't have much time. Girls, help her get ready." Cihangir said while nudging Irem and Asli towards me. "Get ready for what?" I asked confusion clearly visible on my face. "Uh, Honey, did I forget to add the time while proposing?" said Murat. "What time?" I said confusion evident in my voice. "We are getting married right now" said Murat sheepishly. "WHAT" I asked confused. "We'll fill in your what's and why's" said the girls while dragging me inside. I changed into a beautiful yet simple white dress selected by Irem. I sat down to do my makeup while she was doing my hair. Asli was filling me in what was happening. "The things is we know about the fake marriage drama you did today at Sarsilmaz House. And I am pretty sure Deriya will try and create a scene out of it tomorrow in front of your ex-family. Serkan and Cihangir tried to bribe the officer to get your marriage certificate done but since you are no longer a Turkish citizen, they refused. The scam would involve international authorities and these people did not want that. The max they agreed was staying open late tonight and giving you on the spot original marriage certificate. The boys then picked up Murat to break this news to him but he was not ready to marry you without a proposal. That is when we both got involved." she said while pointing to Irem and herself, and continued "So while the entire day you were planning Ipek's wedding, we were helping set up proposal and dresses for your wedding." We were done. I was ready. Asli handed me my bouquet and we left for the wedding registration office.

The process was simple. We both said "YES". We signed the document. And boom we are married. We took a photo and waited in the lobby while our marriage certificate was getting ready. "You sure you won't get married in secret?" I remembered Melo's words from the night before leaving for Italy. Weird isn't it? All three of us were married/getting married in a MONTH!

Murat POV:

And done. Hayat was my lawfully wedded wife. She's mine now. I will make sure that I don't so any dumb stuff to lose her. I looked at her as she played with the flowers of her bouquet with an absent mind. "Hey" I said softly while gently squeezing her hand. She looked up and smiled. But her eyes were sad. What was it? Didn't she love me? But she was extremely happy when she said 'yes' to the proposal. What is it then? Oh shoot! She always wanted a luxury marriage. I remember describing it to me while talking about random things. "Don't worry love. I promise we'll have a your dream wedding in presence of your entire family and at a location you choose once we're out of this mess" I said reassuring her. Bingo. That soothed her absent mind. Her eyes were truly happy as she gave me a happy smile. "I love you" I added, saying those three words together after a very long time. "I love you too" she replied while entwining her hand in mine. Our little moment was spoilt by Asli loudly clearing her throat. "The certificate is done Murat. Shall we head home now?" "Yes" I said getting up. We went home. Tomorrow, we've to wake up early and go over to help Ipek and Kerem.