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Chapter 11 - "THE GIRL BEHIND THE TEARS"

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PARA:1

Aiyla Koç was a rising star — not a club singer, but one of Istanbul's most beloved young voices. She lived in Istanbul, studied at Istanbul University, and shared almost every moment of her life with the boy she loved… Yaman Karadeniz, her classmate and her best friend.

Their friendship had slowly melted into love. Five years of a bond so deep that even the walls of their university recognized them.

One afternoon, they sat together near the wide staircase of the university. Aiyla leaned into his chest, her arms wrapped around him as if protecting her entire world.

"Yaman," she whispered softly, "we've been in love for five years now… and this is our last semester. Aren't you going to give our relationship a name? Why don't we get married?"

Yaman looked at her for a long moment, then kissed her gently on her cheek.

"Don't worry," he murmured. "I'll never leave you."

Aiyla tightened her hug."Then talk to your mom and dad. I don't want to lose you, Yaman. I've already lost everyone else… I can't lose you."

Yaman frowned slightly."Lose? What have you lost?"

PARA:2

Aiyla shook her head quickly."No, no… I'm just saying I can't lose you."

Yaman laughed softly and tapped her nose."Okay, okay. I'll talk to them."

The next day when they met, she immediately asked,"So? Did you talk to your parents?"

Yaman hesitated."Hmm… I asked my dad. He agreed."

Aiyla fell silent, lost in thought… then slowly asked,"And what about your mom? What did she say?"

He sighed."I haven't talked to her yet. Didn't get a chance."

"So you mean… you'll never ask her? You'll just keep avoiding it?"

Yaman held her cheek gently."Cutie… I promise I'll talk today. Don't be angry. And your dad — he doesn't live here, right? When will you introduce me to him? You always say he lives with your uncle."

Aiyla paused, thinking of something.

"Aiylaaa?" Yaman waved a hand in front of her face."Madam, earth to Aiyla?"

She blinked."Huh? Yes, yes… I'll introduce you. I also need to tell you something important."

YAMAN SAID:"What?"

"Later," he replied. "Let's not talk here. I'm hungry....."

PARA:3

That evening, Yaman went home and told his parents everything.His mother narrowed her eyes.

"Show me her picture."

Yaman hesitated."Not now. Soon."

"No," his mom insisted. "Show me now."

He finally opened his phone and showed her a photo of Aiyla.

His mother stared at it for a few seconds…"I've seen this girl somewhere."

"Where?" Yaman frowned.

"Your father said the same thing. Her face… I recognize it. What's her full name?"

"Aiyla Koç."

Her mother's expression changed instantly."And her father?"

"Demir Koç."

That was enough.

"No," his mother snapped. "You will NOT marry her. Listen carefully, Yaman — we will only accept your engagement with CELINE. That's final."

Yaman's world froze."Mom! At least tell me why. You both agreed earlier, why suddenly no?"

His mom's tone grew cold."Enough. Your engagement will be with CELINE. End of discussion."

PARA:4

Yaman stood up, furious."I won't agree until I know the reason. And I won't leave Aiyla. She is my love — and I will never leave her."

He left the house angrily and went straight to Aiyla's home.

The guard informed her gently,"Ma'am, Yaman Bey is here."

"Let him in."

Yaman entered, eyes tired, face frustrated."You here… this late?" she asked softly.

"I had a fight with my mom. Left the house. I won't go back unless she listens."

Aiyla stepped closer, holding his cuff."Yaman… she's your mother. You can't leave home because of anger. Go back, please."

"Please don't take her side," he whispered."Or if you want me to leave even from here… just say it."

Aiyla cupped his cheeks."Okay, okay… I'm sorry. Did you eat anything?"

"No."

She smiled and brought Alfredo pasta. Sitting beside him, she fed him lovingly with her own hands. Afterwards, she gave him one of his comfortable T-shirts to sleep in and showed him a guest room.

But later that night, Yaman couldn't sleep.

He quietly walked into Aiyla's room.

She sat up."Mr. Yaman, where do you think you're going?"

He giggled."To you. I can't sleep. Maybe if I hug you… I will."

Aiyla's heart softened.He wrapped his arms around her, and they fell asleep together.

The next morning, they woke up tangled in each other's arms.Aiyla kissed his cheek, freshened up, prayed her morning prayer, and prepared to start her day.

Yaman entered the kitchen, smiling."You're awake?"

Aiyla turned and looked at him.

Their story had just begun…

PARA:5

Aiyla smiled softly."Breakfast is ready… and I've kept clothes for you. They're hanging in the washroom."

Yaman smiled back, changed quickly, and joined her for breakfast.

Just when they finished eating, his mother called.

Yaman picked up."Mom?"

"Where are you? Why didn't you come home?" her voice was sharp.

"Mom, please listen… I want to talk about something important."

"Fine," she said coldly. "Come home. Then we'll talk."

That night at 9 PM, Yaman reached home.

He stood in front of his mother."Now tell me. What's wrong? Why are you refusing?"

She took a deep breath."Sit. I'll tell you."

Yaman sat.

His mother finally spoke,"Aiyla… is the daughter of your father's old friend. And that girl… she hurt her own father. She hit him. That's her truth."

Yaman froze.

"What?"

"If you don't believe me," his mom added, "then go and ask her."

Rage burned in his chest.Without another word, he got up and stormed out of the house.

He reached Aiyla's place.She wasn't home, so he waited.

After a while, the door opened —Aiyla entered, saw him sitting there, and smiled.

"What happened? Your mom didn't agree?"

PARA:6

But the moment she saw his face, her smile faded.He was looking at her with pure anger.

Yaman's voice trembled,"So… your past. You kill your own father?"

Aiyla stared at him, shocked."Who told you that?"

"Just answer me. Yes or no."

A tear slipped from her eye."Yes… that's my past. But whatever they told you is not the truth."

She moved closer, holding his hand."Yaman, please listen to me once. I'll tell you everything."

But he yanked his hand away."Killer. I loved a killer for so many years?"

Aiyla flinched as if someone had slapped her."Yaman, no! I didn't kill my father!"

He walked out angrily.

She ran behind him."Please! Listen to me once — just once!"

Yaman sat in his car.She knocked on the window, crying desperately.

"Please, Yaman… just listen—"

PARA:7

But he started the car and drove away at full speed.

Aiyla ran after him until she fell at the doorstep of her house, crying uncontrollably.

Next morning, she went to the university —but Yaman didn't come.

Three days passed.

He still didn't show up.

On the fourth day, all their friends were gathered near the cafeteria:

Melis and her boyfriend Savash,Eylul — Aiyla's best friend,Nisa,Alara,and Murat — the boy who once had feelings for Aiyla.

Yaman arrived at the group."I want to tell you all something tonight. Meet me."

They all agreed.

Aiyla stood nearby and said softly,"Yaman… I need to talk to you."

He ignored her and started walking away.

Savash and Murat spoke up,"Yaman, Aiyla is talking to you."

He turned slightly."Hmm. Say it."

"Can we talk privately?" she asked.

"Fine."

They stepped aside."Yaman, will you come home today? I need to talk to you."

PARA:8

"No," he said coldly."I'm late for class."

He left.

That night, he invited all his friends —except Aiyla.

Next day, Aiyla didn't come to university.She had a fever and anxiety from crying entire nights.

A whole week passed.

Murat finally called her."Why aren't you coming? Are you okay?"

"Yes… just fever," she whispered.

Savash, sitting beside him, asked,"She's okay?"

"Yeah… just fever," Murat replied.

Everyone knew what Yaman needed to be told —but Aiyla didn't know yet.

After class, Savash and Yaman sat together.

Yaman sighed,"Aiyla hasn't come to the university. Did she leave for good?"

"No," Savash shrugged."She probably can't face you. She's ashamed. She said she has a fever and anxiety… you know how bad her anxiety gets. That's why she used to take sleeping pills — you're the one who made her stop."

Yaman looked down."Yeah… she has anxiety."

He left for home but suddenly reversed the car, bought a bouquet, and drove straight to Aiyla's house.

The door opened —Murat was standing there.

He had come to check on Aiyla and bring her medicine.

From inside, Aiyla called,"Murat? Who is it?"

She walked out and froze.....WHO is in the door?....

PARA:9

"Yaman…?"

Yaman turned around to leave.

She quickly slipped into her slippers and ran after him."Yaman, stop! Where are you going?"

He looked at Murat with anger and walked away.He threw the bouquet into the dustbin, sat in his car, and drove off.

Aiyla stood there helpless.

She went inside.Murat asked,"What happened to him?"

Aiyla forced a smile through watery eyes."Nothing… maybe he had something important."

Murat gave her medicine and took care of her.

Later, Eylul arrived.The moment she entered the room, Aiyla hugged her tightly and broke down in sobs.

"He came to see me… but when he saw Murat, he left."

Eylul stroked her hair."When he learns the truth, he'll come to you himself. Don't worry."

She held Aiyla until she cried herself to sleep.

Outside, Eylul told Murat,"Let's go. She cried herself to sleep. Thanks for being here."

Next morning…

Aiyla barely slept.Dark circles shadowed her eyes.

The doorbell rang.

Her hands trembled as she walked to open it.....

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