Chapter 11;- Convincing Herself
506 Words
That night, Aylin stood by her bedroom window with Nihan.
The city lights below looked distant like another life happening without her.
She spoke calmly, almost rehearsed.
“This isn’t sacrifice,” Aylin said. “It’s partnership.”
Nihan folded her arms. “Or it’s you giving and him receiving.”
Aylin shook her head gently. “Love means lifting each other.”
Nihan sighed. “Love also means not carrying everything alone.”
Aylin turned back to the window.
“We are building our future,” she said quietly.
She repeated it again, softer.
“Not his future.
Ours.”
The words felt strong enough to believe.
Strong enough to silence doubt.
Strong enough to hide fear.
---
The weeks filled with documents.
Applications.
Deadlines.
Emails that felt important because they decided something permanent.
Emre was grateful visibly, sincerely.
“I’ll make you proud,” he said one evening over the phone.
She smiled, lying on her bed, staring at the ceiling.
“Just come back,” she replied.
He held her hand tighter through the screen. “Of course.”
They spoke about apartments they might live in someday.
Cities they would visit.
A life that sounded solid when spoken aloud.
Distance felt temporary.
Love felt permanent.
---
Baran didn’t disappear.
He never pressured.
Never complained.
Never embarrassed her.
He sent polite messages.
Hope you’re well.
Tell your mother I said hello.
No expectations. Just respect.
When he saw her at a charity event, he didn’t corner her.
He simply said, “I still stand by what I said. But I won’t stand in your way.”
Aylin smiled with relief. “Thank you for understanding.”
Baran nodded. “Understanding doesn’t mean forgetting.”
It was the closest thing to a goodbye she had been given.
---
That night, Emre noticed her quiet.
“Baran was there again, wasn’t he?” he asked casually.
Aylin hesitated. “Yes.”
He didn’t hide it this time. “Does he still want you?”
She met his eyes. “Yes.”
Emre’s jaw tightened. “And you?”
She didn’t hesitate. “I chose you.”
He exhaled slowly.
“I don’t like him being around,” he admitted. “Not because I don’t trust you… but because I don’t want to compete with your world.”
Aylin reached for his hand.
“You’re not competing,” she said. “You’re the reason I’m choosing a different one.”
---
Aylin told her family nothing.
Not about the money.
Not about the scholarship.
Not about the plans.
At dinner, Murat spoke about expansion abroad.
Her father discussed investments.
Her mother mentioned Baran casually as if he were already part of their future.
Nihan listened, thoughtful.
Aylin sat quietly, carrying a secret that felt like both hope and weight.
She didn’t know yet that this choice made out of love would one day be used against her.
But for now…
Life went on.
Love deepened.
And she believed truly believed she was doing the right thing.
- Writer
