"Kocacığım ha?"
"Evet kocacığım!"
They both were smiling at each other. It was their first time together as a couple. They were just looking at each other in the eyes. Gradually, cuneyd took Zeynep's hand; which was lying next to his hand. He slowly held her hand in his palm and took it to his lips, kissing it with closed eyes. Zeynep bit her lower lip. She was just looking at him.
"Good night, Zeynep!" Cuneyd said slowly after he opened his eyes and let go of her hand. "Good night to you too, Cuneyd!" She replied with a smile and closed her eyes. Cuneyd was just looking at her facial features. She was a cute and innocent young girl. He smiled and then slowly closed his eyes too. It was good to be near her. His worries about being left alone have vanished now. He loves Zeynep so much and Zeynep also feels the same for him.
Zeynep woke up with the voice of Azan. She turned around and saw cuneyd sleeping peacefully. "Cuneyd!" She called him softly. "Cuneyd!" He mumbles something in his sleep and Zeynep chuckles. She just stared at him for a minute. He was looking so innocent and cute.
She extended her hand to stroke his hair when he opened his red sleepy eyes. "How can I sleep peacefully when you don't stop staring at me?" His voice was heavy due to sleep. "So you were already awake, Cuneyd?" She asked with a bad face. "Of course I was, I was watching you before you woke up." She looked at him angrily but he was smiling. She just stared at his beautiful smile. He was smiling so much and making it difficult for her to turn her gaze at him. "Are you going to watch me all night, Zeynep?" Cuneyd teased her. Was he in a mood or was he really showing her his affection? She didn't understand but she left the bed without saying anything and walked towards the washroom. He just smiled at her back.
He was acting strange or did she feel it? Zeynep was confused about cuneyd's behaviour. After making breakfast, she set their breakfast table.
Cuneyd walked into the kitchen and sat on his seat. "Good morning, Zeynep!" He said softly. "Good morning, Cuneyd!" She replied noticing happiness on his face. "You are looking happy, is there something you want to share?" She asked. "Yes, I will announce myself for the place of mürşid!" Cuneyd replied, putting food in her plate. "That's great!" She was really happy to hear that. "I wish you luck, cuneyd. I know you will become mürşid!" She replied happily. "I think my uncle will create some problems but I don't think he will be successful in his plans." Cuneyd replied eating his bread.
"Cuneyd... I want to ask for something..." Zeynep said after completing her breakfast. Cuneyd took a sip from his apple tea and looked at her. "What do you want to talk about Zeynep?" He asked with a raised eyebrow.
"It will take the government's registration to open a public school here and girls will receive certificates too." Zeynep said in a slow voice, scared of what will happen next. Cuneyd just looked at her. He put his tea cup on the table and looked at her with a soft stern. "I will do whatever is necessary but right now I can't make any promises, Zeynep!" He said in a soft voice. "Now, let's go!" He said to her and Zeynep nodded slowly. She knows about the mentality of sect people so she didn't say anything.
After a week
It's been a while for cuneyd sitting on mürşid's seat and everything was going fine until he decided to announce his plan to sect members. He asked all people to enter the conference room. Women were sitting on the other side and males were sitting on the front. There was a wooden door in between them which was separating them. "I asked you all to come here to make an important announcement." Cuneyd said and all of the people looked at him. "What type of announcement, Cuneyd effendi?" One old man asked him. "I decided to make a public school for the girls of the sect and the government's registration will come in a day or two." He said with confidence. Zeynep looked at him with shock because he didn't share anything with her. But we can't let our daughters get this world's education, effendi! Religious education is enough for them. The other old man said. "Here, I'm the mürşid and I will make decisions for people's welfare!" He replied sternly and continued. Education for women in our religion is not forbidden! Our daughters and sisters can get as much education as they want, both religiously and worldly. I don't care if any of you have any problems with this announcement but when the school opens, every girl in this sect will attend it." He said angrily and left the room. Everyone started gossiping. Some women were happy but most were not happy. Zeynep left the room after him. "Cuneyd!" Cuneyd was walking towards the exit of the mosque when she called him from behind. Cuneyd stopped and turned towards her. Arif left them alone. "Thank you, Cuneyd!" She said cheekily. "I should be the one saying thanks to you, Zeynep! You made me powerful enough to stand in front of everyone." He said with admiration. "Power comes from Allah, we just try!" Zeynep replied softly. "I asked some female teachers, they will come when school opens. If you need something, I am always here!" Cuneyd said. "It means a lot... Their lives are about to change and they have no idea about it!" She said with happiness. He just looked at her with a sad gaze which she noticed quickly. "What happened, cuneyd? Did I do something wrong?"
Zeynep asked with concern. "Nothing, I will go and check other matters." Cuneyd said and left the place while Zeynep knew that something bothered him but she couldn't figure out what it was.
