MelekI walk from one end of the shack to the other, I can't go back home, my grandfather is going to kill me, everyone will know that Habbab rejected me and I will be marked, I can see in my mind how the whole town will turn their faces away when I pass by. My family is important in the village where we live, everyone attended my wedding and they will know what happened to me. When I look out the window, I see that it is getting dark, I haven't eaten all day and I don't care, I am beaten and worn out, I have cried for hours and I have no idea what I should do…“You are going to die, Melek, grandfather Çakir is going to make sure of it,” I said to myself.All my life, Çakir Erdoğan, my paternal grandfather, has hated me, I have never understood why I am not blessed in his eyes. For years I had to remain in silent, not even moving to avoid his outbursts of anger and insults, I can't go back there anymore. I make a decision, I am going to die no matter what, he and my family will make s

HabbabThree 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

"Thank you." It's all I can say as I gain my composure again. Hazar nods with compassion in his eyes, he too should win the Oscar for best acting. "Habbab has been very excited about the proposal that he brings you today," Erdem speaks for me, giving me time to regain my voice. "We have big plans, which we hope will be to your liking." "Wonderful, Mr. Erdem, wonderful," Çakir speaks in a very good mood. "Mr. Çakir," I manage to say. "We have a long time working together, and we have managed to have a good relationship and trust. I think we can go one step further in that relationship, become one big family." "There's nothing that would make me happier boy." "If you would give me your blessing, I would like to bring my aunt and her daughter, my only living family, to your home to ask for your granddaughter's hand." I see Irem's curl jump, of course, she thinks I'm talking about her, she must be jumping with excitement, but there's nothing more wrong, I'm not going to ask her, my t

"Yes, Mr. Habbab, you may marry my daughter." The smile that bursts from my lips, though I don't want to admit it, is genuine. Melek looks at me through his tresses with some apprehension. "We need to perform the engagement ceremony, Senay, take our daughter, put her in a better dress, fix her up for the ceremony and we will meet in the living room.""Yes, husband, I will"My bride-to-be is led by her mother to her room where she is taken care of, while the rest of us return to the living room. This time Enise sits next to me, the rest of the room is silent."Well, our engagement wasn't that dramatic." She whispers in hatred to me."Shut up, Enise, I swear if you say anything you're going to end up worse than Melek."She gives me an angry look but remains silent. Between her and the machinations of the Erdoğan family, I feel like I can't even breathe. My greatest wish is to end this revenge plan of my grandmother's and to have a free life, to have the weight of my responsibilities sto

I turn away so I can't see her face, and I start to get angry. Stupid traitors, if it weren't for them this wouldn’t been happened. Enise is an envious harpy, I will never be able to see her the way she wants me to, on papers we are husband and wife, but in real life we never were, nor will we ever be anything, nor do I want to be. "Enise's whole problem is that she can't stand to see me marrying Melek, but I swear grandma, I don’t feel anything for that girl." I listen as her footsteps approach where I am, I feel her warm hand on my shoulder, though I dare not turn around, I don't want her to see something that I’m trying to deny myself. "Don't blame your cousin, nor Erdem for my visit." My grandmother has always had the power to read my thoughts, it is something that continues to amaze me despite the years. "It was necessary, I had to come. I have to deliver something important to you, something that kept me standing, gave me strength, and even protected me, all these years." Gen