The Velvet touch

Hilal's Sacrifice

Hilal and her Grandma was sitting on the couch of the living room. Azize was standing near the main door. They were all waiting for Cevdet to come. Cevdet's business was undergoing a brutal turmoil. One of his cargoes got drowned which brought his entire business on the brink of bankruptcy. Today he went to meet Esref, one of his old friends, to see if he could help him out. He was now only thinking of saving his daughter Yildiz whose condition was worsening every now and then. Doctor said if the surgery was not done within a week, Yildiz is bound to taste death. Esref was well-to-do. He could lend him some money if he wanted to. Cevdet always hated asking for money but then it was the question of his daughter's life. Whenever he thought of his children, his heart ached since he considered himself to be worthless. With little hope he went to Esref that morning to ask for some money which he would return in no time. Hilal, Azize and grandma was waiting anxiously for him to return. At 12pm, Cevdet returned with stooped eyebrows and empty hands. Esref did not even meet him. Such humiliation had torn him into thousand pieces. As he entered the house, he took a glance at Azize and went towards his room as silent as the night. Azize could not control her tears understanding what has happened. She slowly walked to their room where Cevdet was. Hilal grew frightened and heart broken. Tears rolled down her eyes too. She thought about the consequences that could happen if Yildiz did not undergo the major surgery. 'Grandma isn't there any way through which we could help her?' she sniffed. 'There are some impossible ways that we don't want to think about, my dear,' grandma told silently without wanting to create any harm. 'What impossible ways, grandma?', she wiped her tears and tried to listen attentively. 'Tehvik had come yesterday. He offered your parents about marrying you off to Mehmet, a school friend of yours and in return his father would give all the expenses for the surgery. But this is such an offer that can't be granted,' grandma explained. 

Mehmet, Hilal remembered him. Her eyes widened and skin shivered. Tears rolled down her eyes which she wiped hastily. This was a big chance to cure Yildiz and save her father from further humiliation. She could agree to everything in this world even this marriage but suddenly Leon's face flashed through her eyes. Instantly, it filled with tears. Tears of love, tears of separation. She slowly walked to her room thinking of her Greek prince. All those memories, all those days, she had always been in love with Leon. He brought her peace and love with which she adorned herself. How could she agree to this marriage when her heart belonged to Leon? Though her parents never would force her to do this marriage, she felt liable. She knew if her parents came to know about her sacrifice, they would kill themselves even but not allow her to marry Mehmet. But she did not wish to lose such a big chance of saving her sister whereas her father was moving here and there like a lunatic for money and help. Who was more important to her? Her love or her sister? As soon as Leon's face appeared before her eyes, it dissolved in to the helpless face of unconscious Yildiz fighting every minute for her life. Hilal felt restless and anxious. She did not know what to do. She loved Leon. But she also wanted to see the happy shining face of Yildiz laughing and talking. At that moment, marrying Mehmet was the only feasible way to save Yildiz.  A constant fight was going on inside her mind. Her MIND and HEART clashed ruthlessly speeding the dropping tears. 

MIND- 'Your sister is in a such a state from where there is no looking behind. Either you save her or she dies' 

HEART- 'But you cannot kill your happiness like forever. You love Leon and that's what is important at the end of the day'.

MIND- 'Yildiz would be able to sense a new morning if she undergoes the surgery. Your entire family atmosphere would change. Your lives will have a new meaning'.

HEART- 'What is the need of this 'new' meaning when you will lose the entire meaning of happiness?' 

MIND- 'Your father is wandering here and there like a lost man to save his daughter. Your mother is crying day and night to see her child standing once again and talking. And you have just been offered a very good life by getting married to the son of the richest man. Don't you think you are NOT at all sacrificing? Rather you are being the biggest gainer here? You will grab a fortune and in return Yildiz will be saved. In which way are you sacrificing haa? YOU are winning a fortune. How can this ever be a punishment? How can you even think you are sacrificing? 

HEART- 'You love Leon. THIS will be the BIGGEST sacrifice if you marry some other guy. And no amount of fortune can ever heal the pain of losing the person you love'.

MIND- 'Does Leon love you back?'

A question that no one could answer. A question to which Hilal has still not found any answers. As tears rolled down her rosy cheeks, she knew what she had to do. Wiping her tears she went to her parents who were sitting silently with worried faces. With a smile too fake, these lies toppled from her mouth,

'Mom, Papa, I'm ready to marry Mehmet and I'm happy about my decision'.