The Wedding Night...

One-sided conversations...

By the time they returned to the mansion, it was getting dark. Midyat was a sight to see. All the lights came to life, making the atmosphere feel intimate and cozy. It was hard to describe. Dilan had no idea where they were, but Baran knew the way. They walked hand in hand. A cemetery was very close to their hotel, in the middle of the houses. Dilan hadn't realized that. She stopped. Then she remembered Mr. Hikmet told her her mother was buried here. Since she didn't know they were coming, she didn't have time to ask for the details. Also, with everything happening with the family, she felt it would have been selfish to ask Baran to bring her before. But since she learned her mom was dead, she wanted to at least go to her grave. It has always been in the back of her mind. "Is something wrong, my angel?" A worried-looking Baran asked. "No, no. I was just thinking..." He finished for her. "Of your mom." She watched him, astonished. He knew her so well. She nodded. "I'm going to ask Mr. Hikmet where she is buried. I want to go to visit her before the trip ends." He tucked her hair behind her ear and traced her jaw to her chin. Dilan felt the comfort of his touch. "I know where she is. Before we came here, I met with Mr. Hikmet. He told me where she was. We can go tomorrow morning if you want. I could take you today, but..." A single tear fell from her eye. He was always considerate to her. To what she might want and need in any situation. It didn't matter the circumstances. His priority was always her. His mind always had room for her. That is one of the things that made her fall for him. Under his hard exterior was a caring man. "I love you, Baran."

Baran frowned. Probably because of their conversation, but that is precisely why she wanted to say it. He cleaned off her tears and brought her to him. She hugged him tight as she confessed. "I love you so much. Words fail me. There are not enough to describe what I feel for you." He lifted her head so their eyes could meet. "Dilan?" She stood on the tip of her sneakers and kissed him in response. Letting her lips tell him everything she could not voice out. "I love you too, my Dilan. More than you will ever know." But she knew. He would show her. Through his small acts, he would show her every day. Her body trembled, spoiling the moment. But she could not help it as the air was getting colder. She quickly learned that in this land, the weather was hot during the day and cold at night, even in the summertime. He put his arm around her shoulder. "Come. Let's get you warmed up." They walked a few blocks further and found themselves in front of the hotel. The door was opened, they went in, and once again, Dilan admired the view. She looked at the bar. A single young employee was there, and he welcomed them. "Mr. and Mrs. Karabey." Whenever you want, I can bring your dinner for you." They had eaten so much during their walk around Midyat that Dilan had no more space in her stomach. She was also tired from all the walking around. But she kept that to herself. When Baran told her about their special dinner that day, his eyes beamed excitedly. She could not disappoint him. "I'll call you once we have freshened up." The young man acknowledged the instructions with his head and added. "We took the liberty to set up a table in your room. For your comfort." Baran nodded and walked upstairs. Dilan was confused. Wasn't today's dinner on the terrace?

Baran could tell his wife was puzzled. During their walk today, Dilan looked so happy and excited. She was so carefree and relaxed that he didn't have the heart to ask her to return early or warn her she was eating too much. He guessed that she would be tired and without appetite by the time they returned to the hotel. When she entered a silk store, he called the hotel and changed the plans. They could always have that dinner the next day. He could wait. As long as she was happy, he could wait his whole life if necessary because it didn't matter. All he needed was to have her by his side. Nothing else. "But... Baran, the dinner?" She asked just as they reached their bedroom door. "I postponed it. We traveled last night, only slept a few hours, and we had a full day today of walking and eating local dishes and delights." He observed her from the corner of his eyes. She was blushing. He used 'we' in his sentence, but Dilan ate the most. The appetite she had lost the day before seemed to return with a vengeance. He smiled at his wife. Her quirks made her all the more adorable in his eyes. This was one of them. After he entered the room, she took his hand and made him turn to her. "I'm sorry, Baran... You had this whole evening planned, and I..." He silenced her by putting his index finger over her lips. "There is no such thing. We came here to relax and enjoy ourselves. We won't be limited by a schedule like we usually are. The schedule will adapt to us, Dilan... I want to see that apologetic expression disappear from your beautiful face. We can have that dinner tomorrow or the day after. Or we can decide we don't want to do it."