The Velvet touch

In the midst of cactus

'Cevdet, Azize, please kindly listen to what i say. I'm sure if you listen to me carefully, you'll understand what i'm trying to tell you. It would be a turning point in your life. You wouldn't want to miss it,' Tehvik was trying to convince the couple about something very crucial. Azize and Cevdet looked at each other and then stooped their heads allowing Tehvik to spill out his proposal one more time. 'What did the doctor say? Huh? The doctor said you need a lot of money for the operation of Yildiz. And what is the amount of money?,' Tehvik asked. 'What is the amount of money, Cevdet?' he asked again with a forceful tone. '1 million dollars', Cevdet murmured. 'A million dollars,' Tehvik repeated. 'And where will you get all these money when your entire cargo of raw materials just drowned in the big sea?' Tehvik's question was pointy and his tone sharp. Cevdet looked into Tehvik's eyes. 'Whatever it is, i will not sell my other daughter to save my elder daughter,' he slightly screamed. Azize nodded with support. 'Ahha what are you saying? Is marrying your daughter off to a wealthy man means 'selling her'? Tehvik was irritated. 'Marrying our daughter off in return for money means 'selling' her,' Azize explained with a strong voice. 'But you need the money right? Yildiz will die soon if she doesn't undergo this operation. On the other hand, if Hilal is married to Mehmet she will get a good husband, a big mansion to live in and a million dollars to save her sister. And she already knows him from her school. Which one seems fair, haa?,' Tehvik's reasoning was tough to handle. 'What about Hilal's wishes and happiness? if she doesn't want to get married to Mehmet will we force her in order to get those money?' Azize asked with teary eyes. 'You talk to Hilal first. She'll understand everything if she truly loves her sister', Tehvik lit his cigarette. After 10 minutes of casual talk, Tehvik left their house. Azize and Cevdet sat still on the sofa trying to figure out solutions which were not easily found. 

Mustafa Mehmet is the son of Halit Pasha, one of the richest men of Turkey. He is a doctor with intelligence, dignity, wisdom and fitness. He is of the same age as Hilal and used to share the same school. Mehmet always had a crush on Hilal but could not say it aloud as he was afraid he would jinx everything. They were just on 'hi hello' terms. After he became a doctor, he thought of sending a proposal to Hilal's parents for her hand in marriage. As soon as he told his father about his liking and craziness for Hilal, he agreed. But he wanted to know about Hilal and her family's whereabouts. He appointed Tehvik, an old acquaintance to help him out in this regard. He got to know everything including the sickness of Yildiz and that a good amount of money is needed for her operation. Tehvik also informed him about the vulnerable state of Cevdet's business. Halit loved his only son very dearly. As he got to know how crazy his son is for Hilal, he had to find a way out to make her agree to this marriage since he thought his son's happiness only mattered. According to his instruction, Tehvik put forward the proposal of giving a million dollars for operation and in return Hilal has to marry Mehmet.

Cevdet was sitting alone near the window pane of his bedroom. Azize silently came and sat beside him keeping her head on his shoulders. 'The entire cargo got drowned due to heavy rainfall', Cevdet told with a painful voice. 'Such a big loss i never imagined. My business is on the verge of collapsing and i don't know how to manage things,' he teared up. Azize took him to her arms and grasped him tight. 'Don't worry love. Everything will be alright. I'm earning from a hospital and our house will be perfectly run. You will start your business anew and I know you will do great', Azize tried to smile. Her hug made Cevdet feel a lot better. 'But Yildiz? Doctor said she will die soon if we don't take any drastic step. She needs this operation immediately and i don't have any money. I don't have any money to save my daughter. Such a useless father i am!' he went on cursing himself, crying. 'Shushh shushh', Azize hugged him tighter. 'You are the best father to my daughters and I know you will figure something out. We both will. Our daughter will live In Sha Allah.' She wiped his tears and smiled at him her eyes assuring the strongest support. They were now in the middle of a desert,in the midst of cactus,looking for red roses.