Moonlight 💫

~Chapter 23~

The cemetery was cloaked in a somber silence, the air thick with the scent of damp earth and decaying leaves. Ates walked slowly through the rows of gravestones, his footsteps echoing in the stillness as he approached his father's final resting place. Kneeling before the weathered headstone, he traced the engraved letters with trembling fingers, seeking solace in the memory of a man whose love had always been his guiding light.

The overcast sky cast a gray pallor over the landscape, with dark clouds hanging heavy like a shroud. A chill wind whispered through the gnarled branches of ancient trees, causing them to sway and creak mournfully. The distant sound of crows cawing added an eerie melody to the scene, amplifying the sense of desolation that permeated the cemetery. Ates closed his eyes and remembered the summer afternoons they spent fishing by the old river, his father's laughter blending with the babbling water. He could almost feel the warmth of the sun on his skin and hear his father's encouraging words as he cast his line into the sparkling stream. That memory, so vivid and cherished, brought a fleeting sense of peace amidst the sorrow.

''What am I suppose to do now Dad?, all my memories you seem to have no meaning now , you probably always hated me ,because i wasn't your biological son ,I have  no idea what to do with my life now everyday i find out something new about someone lying or keeping secrets from me , I really thought i could start my life over with no more lies or secrets but now i found out that i wasn't even your son.''  These revelations shattered Ates's sense of identity, leaving him adrift in a sea of confusion and pain. The foundation upon which he'd built his understanding of himself and his place in the world now felt unstable, as if it could crumble at any moment. Struggling to reconcile the love he felt for his father with the newfound knowledge of his true parentage, Ates wondered if he would ever be able to find solid ground again.

His heart felt heavy, weighed down by a mix of grief, anger, and betrayal. Ates's mind raced with questions, each one more painful than the last, as he grappled with the reality that the man he had idolized might have harbored secrets. Tears welled up in his eyes, blurring the headstone in front of him, and he clenched his fists, feeling the raw ache of a fractured identity.

He stood up, wiping the tears from his face as he gazed one last time at his father's gravestone. The wind seemed to howl in sympathy, carrying away the few dry leaves that had gathered around the base of the headstone. With a heavy heart, Ates turned and walked away, the crunch of gravel under his feet echoing his inner turmoil as he left the cemetery behind.

Today was his little brother's wedding day. He had to cheer up even when he felt as if his whole world had turned upside down. He had to be there for Okan and Bade no matter what.  As Ates walked away from the gravesite, his emotions swirled in a chaotic storm. He felt a deep sense of duty to be strong for his brother's special day, yet the unresolved pain gnawed at his core. Caught between the desire to honor his father's memory and the need to confront the truth, Ates wondered how he could possibly navigate the coming days without succumbing to the weight of his inner conflict.

Ates spent the night before the wedding meticulously ironing his suit, ensuring every crease was perfect. He rehearsed his speech multiple times, trying to inject it with warmth and joy despite his heavy heart. As dawn broke, he took a deep breath, hoping to find the strength to put on a brave face for Okan and Bade's big day.

The wedding venue was a picturesque garden, adorned with twinkling fairy lights and an array of vibrant flowers that seemed to dance in the gentle breeze. As Ates arrived, he couldn't help but marvel at how Feraye had transformed the space into an enchanting setting, despite his lingering resentment towards her. The soft melodies of a string quartet filled the air, and the joyous chatter of guests added to the magical atmosphere, momentarily lifting Ates's spirits as he prepared to celebrate his brother's special day.