Ask-i Memnu: An Alternate Ending.

5. Miserable Behlül

While Bihter had started the new chapter in her life, Behlül was still stuck with the toxic Ziyagils as he was to marry little spoilt Nihal in a few days. The nearer the wedding date came, the more he started to freak out.

What had started out as a measure to cover his affair, was now going to become a reality. It was like a nightmare because he knew what he felt for Nihal; just plain sympathy. He agreed to carry on the charade because he felt bad for her and did not want to hurt her feelings. She emotionally blackmailed him saying she would die if he left her. That's what made him stay, he did not want to be the reason for someone's death. But that was just a horrible reason to marry someone.

Deep down he knew Bihter was right from the very beginning. He never felt any love or attraction towards Nihal. He cared for her just like someone would care for a little sibling. This marriage was a sham. Added to this was the fact that Bihter had taken a huge step. She had divorced Adnan and moved on. She had the courage to do the right thing. She was finally free, finally single! He could have had his happy love story with her, if it wasn't for Nihal.

Thoughts about where Bihter was and what she was doing made him go crazy. He tried contacting her but it bore no fruit because no one had a clue. He tried asking everyone indirectly, but no one knew where she was. It was a dead end. He wanted her to be there and help him escape this situation; he badly needed her. She used to be the courageous one, always! He always relied on her to solve any problems.

But now she was gone, he had pushed her away. He was miserable but decided to accept his fate and marry Nihal. He became very depressed during the last few days before the wedding but no one noticed, no one cared. Nihal was too busy planning her fairytale wedding, she did not really give two shits about checking up on Behlül.

The day finally came and he was about to wed Nihal. The ceremony was grand, yet Behlül was lost in his own thoughts through out. As he signed the papers, his hands started to tremble. He had sold over his life, to a spoilt brat who only wanted him so people could envy her. Through out the ceremony, his eyes remained dull, he tried to put on a fake smile but his misery was quite obvious. Adnan noticed his behaviour and became concerned.

Adnan: "Behlül, what's going on? Why are you so lost? Cheer up, I don't want newspapers to write new gossip on your wedding day."
Behlül: "Nothing. I'm happy, uncle. Don't you worry." he let out with a fake smile.
Nihal: "I can't believe it. We are finally married Behlül! It's like a fairytale. We will be on every front page, it's the wedding of the year! I love you!"
Behlül: "Yeah. Love you too." he said with a dull voice.

All throughout the ceremony, he cornered himself alone, drinking his misery away. He longed for his real love, Bihter. She was all he could think about, her beautiful green eyes, her cheery smile that was only reserved for when she was with him.. He drank more trying to escape from the misery and regret of letting his love fly away.

The wedding was finally over and everyone got back with their lives. The Ziyagil house seemed empty. Bihter had left, Firdevs had shifted to Çetin's house, Nihal and Behlul shifted to another house. Only Adnan and Bulent resided there. Behlul used this situation to his favour. He told Nihal that Adnan and Bulent must be very lonely living all alone so they should shift back there. He lived with Nihal in a separate house for just a week and he had already given up. The girl was just clingy and gave him no personal space. She was always after him and he couldn't take it anymore. Nihal did not want to shift back but Behlül insisted. They shifted back to the Ziyagil house, much to Nihal's disappointment. Nihal became very frustrated about how Behlül was treating her just like he used to before, not like his wife. He kept a distance and always found an excuse to not be intimate with her.

Soon after, they left for their 'honeymoon'. It was a nightmare for Behlül. He avoided all and any kind of intimate exchange with Nihal. Every minute felt like a year. How had he gotten to this? He deeply regretted his decision to not listen to Bihter and escape. Now, all he could do was regret and cry remembering her. They cut the trip short and returned to Istanbul after having a horrible and awkward time.

Adnan became deeply concerned about them, he could now see what a horrible mistake his daughter had made. Behlül and Nihal were a mismatch and were not compatible together at all. Even Bulent could sense it. But no one wanted to accept the bitter reality. In hopes to save their already failing marriage, Adnan decided to send them both to USA to complete their studies. He thought, this would give them some distance and space to work on their marriage.