Letters to Elif

From Bursa, With Love

AUTHOR NOTE: Just a quick note. This chapter is written from both Ada and Bora's perspectives which is denoted by their names in bold. Sorry it's been a month since the last chapter, but it is longer than usual. This is likely to be the penultimate one. As always thanks for reading and sorry for mistakes.
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BORA

When he arrived at Ali's, the car was packed with both Ali and Selin leaning on the bonnet deep in conversation, which immediately halted as he stepped out his car.

"Cousin, what's going on?" Ali asked as he approached them.

"I will explain on the way. We should get going, I don't want to delay you any more." Bora opened their car boot and shoved his bag in before getting into the back seat. His actions were already confusing Ali but at this his cousin turned to look at Selin. She had watched the exchange from her seat on the front of the car and she shrugged at Ali before, climbing into the passenger seat and hurrying her fiancé along.

"Hadi askim, let's go. He said he'd explain on the way. So he will explain on the way. Hadi"

True to his word Bora did explain. He told them all about Elif and the letters, his present and how after what her had read he just needed to see Ada. To talk to her. Much to their credit, both Ali and Selin remained silent throughout, they did exchange glances but they didn't once interrupt him.
However, once he had finished, they confronted him with a barrage of questions before he could take a breath.

"What are you going to do? What are you going to say?"

"Where are you going to stay?"

"Why does this mean?"

"Do you have a plan?"

"Does this mean you want Ada back? Have you finally forgiven her?"

Bora sat there, dumbfounded. He didn't have the answers.

"Honestly, I don't know. I had imagined I'd have time to think about it all before doing anything, but when I heard you were going to Bursa... I just... I knew I had to go too. It's impulsive, obviously, and I don't know what this means. I just know I want to see her and talk to her... I need to. I will figure the rest out once we are there."

He rubbed his hands over his face and tried to concentrate his mind. When he looked up his eyes met Selin's, she was twisted in her seat watching him with curiosity.

"Are you going to see Ada?", he asked her.

"Yes, tabii ki. Our rough plan was to drop things at my parents and then surprise Ada and have some chai with her and the family. From what she has said, she should be free. She hasn't got any lectures this afternoon and has the day of work."

Selin watched as Bora thought on this a minute. She glanced over at her fiancé. How can he be so relaxed? She thought. Only six months ago Bora was literally vibrating with rage as he screamed Ada out of the house. Now out of the blue he wants to see her. Ah Adacim what did you write in those letters to Elif? Selin was jolted from her train of thought when Bora began to speak again.

"Let's stick with your original plan. This has been a very immediate decision on my part and I don't want to force my impulsiveness on Ada if she is busy. I will remain in the car while you see her, please can you check if she has time, ask how she is feeling, I don't want to add to any stress or anxiety she may already have. I dunno I just... could you just see if she would be receptive if my being there? I mean I haven't read the last few letters... something could have happened in the last month that have changed things for her."