Resurrection: Love against Fate

Bloody tears

Kuzey POV; 2 years earlier.

Everything suddenly turned white—a grayish haze threatening to turn black. Black feels familiar, you know? It’s straightforward, honest, a color that doesn’t lie or hide its truths. And if we’re talking truths, here’s one: I’ve never regretted anything I’ve done in my life. Except one choice—letting her go.

I should’ve grabbed her arms, held her close, and claimed her as mine. I should’ve faced everyone, even my family, and drawn that red line for her. But who would’ve listened to an 18-year-old boy who was nothing more than his father’s shadow?

Kuzey Orhan Yeldrim—forget Kuzey; all they ever saw was Orhan Yeldrim, the mighty lawyer who ran the Yeldrim law firm, powerful enough to destroy empires in a single move. His son? Just a smaller version of him, a name with no face, no identity of his own. They thought they knew me—my strengths, my weaknesses, how to mold me, how to break me. And maybe they did. They did scratch my ego, bloodied my face, maybe even broke a rib or two of mine.

Inside, I retreated. I locked away the happy memories, saved only for nights when the tears came to pull me to sleep. The beer numbs me—it doesn’t feel good, but it shuts me off.

Maybe I’m the worst.

Maybe I was never meant to be happy.

But can I confess something? I still dream of her. Each night, she appears vividly—golden hair, soft under my fingers; blue eyes, a reflection of my soul. Her scent lingered in the shadows of my mind, floral and musky, a blend of spring kissing winter. She was a masterpiece, painted by a heart in love with the divine. In her presence, my galaxy exploded, birthing something new, something overwhelming. The way she breathed makes me high on her. And her touch? It unraveled me, leaving me exposed, vulnerable—but willingly so. She knew how to unlock me, though I loved it. I loved her.

I miss her. I need her. I crave her.

But, where are you?

I never lost hope, Asia. I tried. I defended you, and I knew all their secrets. I promised you I would, didn’t I?

You could have waited a bit longer. You could have given me a chance.

You could have seen me instead of blinding yourself with them.

But I protected our young selves in case you weren’t there. At least I tried.

Everyone did their best to bury me. I fought—breathless and damaged—holding onto your picture in my mind because I had nothing else to cling to.

But I’m tired, Asia. If they took my life today, don’t cry.

Tears in your eyes are blades in my heart.

Just don’t let go. At least not in my imagination.

“Don’t leave,” a faint hum broke into my thoughts.

I didn’t leave. They took me away—because you let them.

I find myself in a distant city. It’s vibrant, quiet, and untouched. Some might call it paradise; others would say loneliness. I’m sitting on soft grass, dressed in a white shirt and khakis. Strange. I can’t remember the last time I wore anything but black. The wind brushes against my hair, and I let the sun kiss my cheeks. My beard is gone. Good riddance. I hated it anyway. I close my eyes and draw a deep breath, letting the virgin air fill my lungs.

“It’s so sweet, isn’t it?”

A soft, familiar voice comes from behind me.

Fingers trail gently through my hair. Her touch wraps around my back and chest, a warm embrace. I could open my eyes, but I don’t want to. Not yet. I lean my head back, resting it against her chest, listening to the rhythm of her heartbeat. Or is it mine? I can’t tell.

When I finally open my eyes, I see her. Ocean-blue eyes framed by long lashes smile at me. Her cheeks and lips glow with a soft pink, like a ripe cherry. Her golden hair glimmers in the sunlight, cascading down my face, shielding me from some unseen danger.

“I love you,” I whisper, the words spilling out before I can stop them.

She brushes her thumb across my lips. “Do you think you should be here?”

I adjust my head against her chest, taking in the beauty of her presence.

“If being here means being with you, I’d die to stay.”

She chuckles, dimples forming on her cheeks as she places her delicate hands over my chest.

“Then you shouldn’t stay.”

Her words cut through me. “What do you mean?” My chest tightens as reality begins to creep in, unwelcome and familiar.

Her smile fades. “I’m not here, Kuzey.”

The sun starts to hide behind a blanket of clouds, casting everything into shadow.

I press my hands against hers, trying to hold her in place. Maybe because I know how this ends.

“Don’t go,” I plead, my voice cracking. “Please, not again.”

Her eyes glisten with sorrow, and her voice is barely above a whisper. “You need to leave this place.”

“Don’t push me away again, Asia,” I interrupt, desperation spilling out.

She hesitates, her voice trembling. “You need to wake up.”

Her figure begins to dissolve, fading into the dull, lifeless atmosphere.

“No, no. Please, no.” My voice grows quieter, as though I’m suffocating. Like I am screaming inside my mind but no one hears.

“Don’t leave me alone,” the humming voice is back again and is getting clearer.

**Sounds of tools and steady beeping echo around me.**

“Pulse restored,” a distant voice calls out through the chaos.

Another voice cuts through the haze, scared but commanding. “I need you to stay with me.”

The fog begins to lift. I can clearly connect the letters and tones. It isn’t Asia who is trying to bring me back to life.

It’s Melis.