Untamed Love

CHAPTER 12 - The Escape

Yigit was the son of the head figure of Kadikoy, one of Mahalle nearest neighbouring town. His family and he used to come there very often when he was a young boy and later as a teenager. Therefore, it was with no surprise to Sanem that everybody welcomed him with wide open arms. The representatives of both towns exchanged gifts and hugs as per tradition, then Yigit and his party were all invited to the grand covered courtyard that served as their meeting point in such gatherings and events.

Sanem spotted Ayhan and Ceycey amongst the crowd and went to join them. She was relieved to see them and be able to escape Yigit's almost undivided attention ever since he had stumbled upon her in the forest.

"Sanem? Napiyorsun burada?" Ceycey asked.

"I am fleeing Yigit. He hasn't stopped following me around ever since we came across each other."

"Yigit is here?" Ayhan frowned.

"Evet. Why do you think everyone is so excited right now?"

"Right... And? Has he made another proposal yet?"

"Good grief no! And I really hope he won't. I don't want to have to turn him down yet again."

Sanem had always suspected that Yigit's family visits were partially due to the fact that their respective parents wanted the two to marry. So, when Yigit had left not-so-subtle hints of his interest in her and later popped the question, she had softly declined. She had stated that she didn't want to ruin their beautiful friendship – which wasn't completely a lie. She did like him and valued their friendship. Nevertheless their relationship had not been quite the same ever since. Of course, Mevkibe hanim had been furious with her decision but she had accepted her daughter's choice.

"Does it have anything to do with another gentleman?" Ayhan whispered in Sanem's ear.

"Ayhan! What if someone hears you?" Sanem whispered back checking around them to see if anyone had noticed.

"Just saying... Would you have said yes otherwise?"

"Hayir! Tabi ki hayir!"

"Even if Mevikbe teyze had insisted?"

"She knows how I feel about him. She wouldn't force me."

"Are you sure?" Ayhan motioned to the stage where Mevkibe could be seen very engrossed in a chat with Yigit's father, Oguzhan bey. Sanem looked for Yigit but he was nowhere to be seen.

"I wonder where he... "

"Ah Sanem! Finally! I was wondering where you had disappeared at."

Sanem softly sighed before turning around to face him. Yigit was smiling at her but it didn't quite touch his eyes. They looked cold which made Sanem shiver.

"Hum... You remember Ayhan and Ceycey of course?"

"Tabi. Naber Ayhan?"

"Iyiyim sag ol. Sen?"

"Iyiyim. Ceycey," he nodded at the shorter man in acknowledgement. "Sanem, my father wanted to greet you before we all go to sleep. The trip was quite tiring. Will you come with me?"

Sanem would have liked anything but meet Oguzhan bey, but she simply smiled and followed her friend to the place she had last seen him talk to her mother. Oguzhan bey was all smile and politeness to Sanem. He was an older man in his seventies. Sanem had never liked him much. His eyes were always cold and calculating, his smile never quite reaching them – much like Yigit's a few minutes ago. All around she didn't trust him. When she had rejected his son's proposal, rumours were that he had been furious but she had not seen him then nor after. Today was the first time in almost three years that she'd seen him.