before you leave

chapter 2

Hazan

the world outside blurring into a mix of colors and shapes as Yagiz drove them to an unknown destination. She didn't ask where they were going; she didn’t care. 

The radio played softly in the background, a melodic tune filling the air. They began to talk about the music, exchanging thoughts on their favorite songs, laughing about guilty pleasure tracks they wouldn’t admit to anyone else. The conversation flowed easily, naturally, as if they had done this a thousand times before. There was something about the way Yagiz spoke that made her feel at ease, like she could talk to him about anything and everything. The tension that usually hung between them, thick and suffocating, had melted away, leaving behind only the simplicity of two people enjoying each other's company.

They moved on from music to movies, then to TV shows, each topic blending seamlessly into the next. Hazan found herself captivated by the way Yagiz expressed himself....so genuine, so unguarded. He was a man who wore his heart on his sleeve, yet there was a depth to him that she was only just beginning to discover. Every word he spoke, every laugh he let out, made her fall a little more in love with him.

She loved how easy it was to talk to him, how his laughter could light up the entire car, and how effortlessly he could make her laugh. There was a warmth in his voice, a sincerity that drew her in, and she couldn’t help but admire the way he made even the most mundane topics feel special. Hazan stole glances at him whenever she thought he wasn’t looking, her eyes tracing the lines of his face, the way his dimple deepened when he smiled, the way his hand rested on the steering wheel with a relaxed confidence.

Every now and then, he would brush his lips with the back of his hand, a gesture so small and ordinary, yet it made her heart flutter. It was in these small moments, the quiet pauses between their words, that Hazan realized how deeply she cared for him. She wished they could stay like this forever She wanted to freeze this moment, to make it last forever....driving through the world, talking about everything and nothing, with no destination in mind. It felt so natural, so right, as if this was how it was always meant to be.

The car began to slow, and she noticed an automatic gate ahead, opening slowly as they approached. She glanced at Yagiz, curiosity stirring within her, but she didn’t ask where they were. She trusted him completely, and the thought filled her with a warmth she hadn’t felt in a long time.

As the car pulled in, Hazan’s breath caught in her throat. Before them stood a house, unlike anything she had ever seen. It looked like it was made of wood, yet it exuded a sense of luxury that was undeniable. The structure was grand yet welcoming, with large windows that reflected the sunlight, making the whole place glow with a serene warmth. Surrounding the house were beautifully landscaped gardens, complete with a fountain and a series of small ponds, their surfaces shimmering in the light. The air was filled with the soft sounds of nature....birds singing, leaves rustling in the breeze....creating a peaceful, almost magical atmosphere.

She almost gasped, unsure if what she was seeing was real. She couldn’t tear her eyes away from the sight in front of her, the beauty of it all leaving her speechless.

Yagiz had stopped the car, but Hazan was too absorbed in her surroundings to notice at first. When she finally did, she turned to him, her heart racing with a mixture of excitement and disbelief. He was looking at her, a soft smile playing on his lips, his eyes filled with a warmth that made her chest tighten.

“What is this, Yagiz?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, afraid to break the spell this place seemed to have cast on her.

“Welcome home,” Yagiz said, his voice rich with emotion as he stretched his arms out, his smile growing wider and more cheerful.