Eternal Melody: Serenade of Hearts

| Chapter II |Petals of Fate: Serkan's Mystical Parting

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Serkan stood before their home, the rain falling in heavy sheets around him, soaking him to the bone. He looked at the sky, allowing the cold droplets to cascade down his face. No one could tell if the water on his cheeks was rain or tears, but he knew the truth—inside, he was dying.

For years, he and Eda had been lonely together, two souls who had found solace in each other's company. They had bloomed together like the most beautiful and delicate flowers in a garden of despair. Together, they had transformed their pain into something remarkable worth living for. But now, he was supposed to end it all—tear out the roots of their love and leave their once-vibrant garden barren.

It wasn't just about ending their relationship; it was about severing the connection that had given them both purpose, dismantling the dreams they had built together, and breaking the promises they had whispered to each other on countless nights. He was supposed to do it, and the weight of that responsibility felt like it was crushing his soul.

A sad smile tugged at the corners of his lips as he remembered the first day their paths had crossed. It had been a rainy day, just like this one, and her eyes had been the first to invite him home, offering warmth he hadn't realised he needed. That day had marked the beginning of something beautiful that had defied the odds.

Their relationship hadn't been acceptable by any means—she had been his student, and he had been her assistant lecturer, bound by the academic world's strict rules and ethical codes. He had known from the start that getting involved with her was dangerous, both professionally and emotionally. But something about Eda, something irresistible, had drawn him in despite his better judgment.

She was like a breath of fresh air in a world that had grown stale and suffocating. Her passion, fire, and unyielding spirit—everything about her had called out to him, pulling him out of the darkness he had lived in for so long. And once he had tasted that light, there was no turning back.

He could still remember that moment, standing in front of the lecture hall, watching her walk in, late as usual, with her books clutched to her chest and her hair damp from the rain. Their eyes had met, and in that instant, he had known his life would never be the same.

The memory of those early days filled his heart with warmth, but it also made the pain of what he was about to do even sharper. How could he walk away from the person who had breathed life into him? How could he shatter the heart of the woman who had become his everything?

Serkan pushed open the door, stepping inside their warm, cosy home. The scent of freshly baked cookies and a hint of vanilla wafted through the air, wrapping around him like a comforting hug. The soft glow of candles and the twinkling lights she had strung up for him made the living room feel like a haven, starkly contrasting with the stormy night outside.

As he stood there, dripping rainwater onto the floor, Eda appeared from the kitchen, holding a tray of cookies with a bright smile. Her eyes lit up when she saw him, and she quickly set the tray on the coffee table.

"Sweetheart, you're wet!" she exclaimed, her voice a mixture of concern and affection. Without a second thought, she hurried over to him, her hands reaching up to cup his face, her thumbs gently brushing away the raindrops clinging to his cheeks. "You must be freezing. Why didn't you take an umbrella? You know I hate seeing you like this."

Serkan's heart swelled at her sweet concern, and he couldn't help but smile, though it was tinged with sadness. "I guess I was in too much of a hurry to get home to you," he murmured, his voice soft.

Eda's smile softened as she looked up at him, her eyes filled with so much love that it made his chest ache. "Come on, let's get you out of these wet clothes before you catch a cold," she said, slipping off his rain-soaked coat and hanging it by the door. She ran her hands down his arms, feeling the chill in his skin, and reached for his hand, pulling him gently towards the stairs. "You need to get warm," she said.