Yasak - Forbidden (A Goktug Alp/Kongar Love Story)

Chapter 38

A/N: :))) pls don't murder me yall- (I updated earlier than expected cuz the quarantine here was extended uwu)

"GOKTUG! WAKE UP!"

Goktug gasped as he raised his head, jolted out of his sleep. His chest heaved with his uneven breathing, as his tired eyes adjusted to the light. Boran was grasping his shoulder tightly and a pale Konur was staring at him, his expression worried. Goktug had started stirring before Boran had come back from his tent, and he couldn't do anything then. "Goktug, are you alright?" he asked. "You...you were shaking a lot and crying out in your sleep- is everything okay?" "I'm- Melike...where?" Goktug looked around frantically, realizing that he wasn't in Melike's tent, but in the healing hut. "Where's Melike?" "Melike hasn't woken up yet, Goktug," said Boran gently. "I spent the night by her side, I would have called you up if she had." Goktug gulped down before sighing in relief, and squeezed his eyes shut. It was just a dream... Melike was still alive- for now. "Is she better?" he asked weakly. "She had a fever, but Bala Hatun told me that it went down, Alhamdulillah," said Boran. Goktug sighed, rubbing his chest in relief. His dream felt so real and was so vivid...his heart felt as if it would jump out of his mouth. He wouldn't stop inhaling and exhaling heavily with his relief, and Boran narrowed his eyes at him slightly. 

"It's dawn, Goktug," said Boran. "You will have to leave soon." Goktug nodded, and rubbed his eyes. His body craved for more sleep and rest, but he had no time- the Kayis needed to be rid of Balgay as soon as possible, and he was the only one who could get it done. He needed to be at his best. He stood up, flexed and straightened his stiff and sore muscles, and nodded again. "I'm ready, Boran," he said firmly. "Whenever Osman Bey wants me to leave, I'll be ready." Boran smiled at him, and looked at Konur, who had closed his eyes to rest again. The Alp's body continued to weaken, despite all that the healers had done. Boran knew, with great sorrow in his heart, that Konur had nothing but a few hours to live. "Pray with me first, Goktug," said Boran. "It was your brother's wish for you to pray before you leave for battle." Goktug nodded and followed Boran outside the tent. It was still dark, and the skies were full of stars. They could hear the soft rustling of the other Kayis waking up from their slumber as they made their ablution, and laid out their mats to pray the dawn prayer. Boran once again led Goktug, this time through two rak'ahs of prayer. By the time they were done with the prayer and doaa', the sun had already begun to rise. Goktug sighed; he knew it was about time to leave, and say goodbye to Konur. His heart clenched; he knew deep down, that Konur didn't have long to live. He prayed that he would see him again when he returned, as he stepped into the healing tent again with Boran.

"Konur, Goktug needs to leave now," said Boran softly, waking Konur gently. Konur's eyes fluttered open weakly, and he smiled up at his brother, who had tears in his eyes. "W-what will I do if something happens to you, Abi?" Goktug whispered. Boran sighed, squeezed his eyes shut and left the healing tent, so Konur and Goktug could have a moment alone. "I can't live like this." "Goktug...don't say that," said Konur. "Don't despair...but you need to know this...I have no money, no property, no land to leave to you. All I leave to you now, is my loyalty to Osman Bey, and my will to fight for our Cause." "Abi, please don't speak like you'll leave me," begged Goktug. Konur shushed him and continued, "Be a brave Alp for Osman Bey. Please...for me." "We will avenge you together, Konur Abi," said Goktug stubbornly. "Together...side by side. You will see me marching into the tribe with that dog's head." He suddenly heard a rustling noise from behind, and saw that Osman and Bamsi had entered the tent. He nodded his head in respect as Konur chuckled at them, "Are you leaving for war without me, Bey?"

Osman squeezed his eyes shut in pain, as he caressed Konur's forehead. He turned to Goktug; "Goktug, it's almost time," he said. "You will leave here as soon as the sun comes up." Goktug nodded, and pressed his palm to his chest. "I will do my best, Osman Bey," he said firmly. "I won't let you down." He then turned to Konur, knelt down, kissed his hand and pressed his forehead to his knuckles. "Give me your blessings and pardon in this world and the next, Abi," he whispered, his eyes filled with tears. "They are yours, and always yours, Goktug," Konur whispered back, as their identical blue eyes gazed into one another. "And Goktug..." Goktug leaned in more, listening intently. "Promise me, that you will look after Melike," said Konur. "Promise me, that you will be a good, loyal and loving husband to the girl I grew up with as my younger sister, whom I love just as much as I love you. Promise me, Goktug." Goktug gulped; especially after his dream, he wasn't as confident that he'd ever get the chance to marry Melike, and live on with her in his life, let alone for her to forgive everything that he had done.