Chapter 3 / Part Two

Habbab

Three weeks had passed since the day I was introduced to Çakir's granddaughters, in the course of those seven days I took care to give my all attention to Irem, making her believe that I was interested in her and her charms when there is nothing further from reality. Don’t get me wrong, I had nothing against the girl, but I realized her true personality, growing up among the whims that her grandfather fulfilled, she imagines that all men should pay homage to her, praise her and place the world at her feet.

Instead, Melek... She was so humble, tender, and kind. She worked as a waitress in the restaurant of the family's hotel. Unlike her cousin, she had not been allowed to attend college, but she still had to work in the family business.

That day, I decided to wait for her to finish her shift and walk her home, if only by chance. She always shortened the distance by taking a very rural road, full of dirt, rocks, and animals not at all pleasant, even if it was a bit dangerous, she seemed to enjoy it.

I allowed her to take advantage, and ten minutes later I went out in search of her, I found her humming a beautiful melody while observing the landscape as if it were the most beautiful place she has ever been.

"Miss, don't you find this path too dangerous?"

She jumped in fright and turned to look at who it was. Her surprise subsided when she recognized my face.

"Sir, Habbab, it's you, a pleasure to greet you."

"The pleasure is all mine."

She gave me the cutest of smiles and then blushed, even her neck took on a crimson color. She looked beautiful, even inside her old, outdated dress. Her grandfather treated her like a slave and that made me very angry.

"Can I help you with something? What brings you here?" she asked unconcerned by my presence. Because of the closeness I was having with her family, she trusted me, again, it was all part of our plan, mine and my grandmother's.

"I'm going to your house, I need to talk some things over with your grandfather, do you mind if I go with you?"

"No problem."

We start walking side by side. Her scent wafts through my nostrils and I am sure that from now on I will never be able to eat strawberries or cinnamon, without thinking of her.

"How do you know this way? I thought you were from out of town."

Melek may not know much about the world, that her grandfather held her captive for years, but she's no fool.

"When I first came to Midyat, my tour guide was very serious about me knowing all the roads, even the rural ones, it's a town you can get lost in very quickly."

"Yes, yes, it is. Although I don't think it's a challenge for you, you've traveled so many parts that I'm sure you have an excellent sense of space."

"How do you know I've traveled, Melek? I don't remember telling you."

She fidgets and again her cheeks flush red, She looks away from mine and concentrates on putting one foot in front of the other. I'm attracted to her shyness and intelligence.

"Well, I've been to some of the meetings you've had with my grandfather, and I've heard things..."

"So, are you interested in where I've been? Or where I'm going?"

"You're leaving town?" She says worriedly, jumping slightly to face me.

"No, Melek, don't worry, I'm staying in Midyat for now, for a long time."

She calms down at my words and I understand one thing, even when I have devoted all my attention to her cousin, she feels interested in me. My grandmother predicted it when you meet a woman who has no experience with men, or in any aspect of life in general, it is very easy for her to fall for the charms of a stranger, especially when I don't share the same ways as her grandfather. Even if we are business partners, the differences between Çakir and I are obvious.

"Have you ever wanted to leave Midyat?" I venture to ask.

"Yes, of course, but that's a dream I can't afford to get attached to."

"Why?

"My grandfather would never let me leave home unless it's by the hand of a man."

"Then you can take my hand, Melek, so you can meet the world."

She laughs, not out of mockery, but out of pure happiness, it is a sound I will never forget and again my heart jumps inside my chest, losing a piece of the ice that covers it, like when an Iceberg melts into pieces. I should run away, very far away, and not let this happen, but I can't, every time Melek is near me, it's like my whole day, all around me is filled with light. She lights up a room with her mere presence and I adore her for it.

"No, you understood me, Mr. Habbab, I was referring to marriage. The only way out of the Erdoğan mansion is by marriage union, otherwise, my grandfather would murder me if I try to leave the house."

"Then, there is no other option left. If it is so important to your grandfather that his granddaughters leave his home married. There is no choice but to marry you, Melek."

"Don't play games with me like that." She warns me with a cute shininess, her gaze is as refreshing as rain, and I love it. She continues on her way until now I hadn't realized that we stopped suddenly. "It's more than obvious that my cousin Irem has feelings for you, and I'm sure you've noticed her, she's a very beautiful woman."

"Well, that's too bad, my eyes have fallen upon another lady. A woman far, far more beautiful than she, more refreshing, kind, and charming. I consider this woman to be the most beautiful in all of Midyat."

I watch the disappointment grow in her eyes; she has no idea I'm talking about her. Melek doesn't consider herself beautiful, how could she? In the few days that I have known Çakir Erdoğan in person, I have noticed that he enjoys humiliating his granddaughter with hurtful words. His favorite insult is "Elephant", whenever he can he calls her that way, on more than one occasion I have had to hold on tightly to my chair in order not to punch his face and knock all his teeth out. It is cruel to her and makes her feel ugly. It is true that as a woman she does not fit into the canons of beauty set by society, she has a curvy body to be called slim, yet to me, she is still beautiful. Her extra ponds don’t take her beauty away.

"Then that woman is a very lucky one." She replies with some sadness.

"Do you consider me a good catch?" I ask mischievously, I want to see how far she can accept her feelings.

"I think you are a very interesting man, as well as different from the rest of the town. Maybe not every family is willing to accept a foreigner, but I'm sure whoever does will make the best of decisions."

"Thank you Melek, then I hope that when I ask your grandfather for your hand, he will make the best of decisions."

She freezes at my words, I smile at her, peck one eye and continue on my way, seconds later I hear her hurried footsteps behind me. She grabs my shoulder to make me stop and look at her.

"How's that Habbab, what do you mean my hand?" There is terror in her eyes, but also longing, I feel pity at how inexperienced she is when it comes to men and the outside world. I'm going to get her out of that bubble Çakir has put her in.

"I told you a few minutes ago, I'm going to take your hand and get you out of there. We're going to see the whole world, together, with no one stopping us. And when we get to a new place, I'm going to say, I present to you the most beautiful woman in all of Midyat, she’s, my wife."

"You're crazy, first I'm not the most beautiful woman in anything, not even in my family, second I couldn't marry you, Irem loves you..."

I take a step in her direction, shortening the space between us, we are so close that the breeze makes her loose hair tickle my face. Her smell of strawberries and cinnamon drives me crazy, almost making me dizzy from sheer pleasure.

"But I want you, Melek. My angel, no matter what your cousin wants, or your grandfather, or your father, or anyone in the world. You will be my wife. You will be completely mine."

"Habbab, I can't, Irem is cruel and vindictive, doing that to her will cause her to cultivate a hatred in her heart and we could get hurt."

"No one is going to get hurt, Melek, not with me here. And when I promise something, I keep it, I told you to take my hand and that's exactly what will happen."

She walks away from me and continues on her way, grieving, with hundreds of thoughts in her head, but most importantly, a little more in love with me.