The Forced Vows

Chapter 2

Our classmate, Goksel, was turning twenty-four, and the rest of the group wanted to throw him a surprise party and invited us. As much as I didn't want to go, I couldn't break my friend's heart, so I came along.

I muttered to myself: "I've spent enough hours playing the role of someone who enjoys social crowds. Since we came together, let's leave together, Elf. I have to wake up early tomorrow for a job interview."

Elfida scoffed: "Forget about working. Your brother will never allow it."

I sighed bitterly: "I don't even remember the last time I saw my brother. Sometimes I deliberately try to annoy them, hoping they'll come to see me. But still, nothing. In the end, I'll do something drastic just so I don't have to stay away from them!"

She said sarcastically: "Just sacrifice yourself to tradition then! That's the only way they'll ever actually notice you."

I said, reaching for my purse: "Let's leave."

She whined: "Do we go out all the time? Let me stay a bit longer! Goksel's handsome cousin is here too! Maybe we can get closer." She pointed toward them with insistent eyes.

I raised my eyebrows: "We? You mean you, not me."

She pouted: "Can't I have a boyfriend, Marin?"

Taylan was enjoying himself with the others, with Cenk and Goksel standing close by. Taylan was the one my friend liked. Then again, Elfida was the type to fall in love quickly and get attached easily-a trait I actually liked about her because she lived in the moment.

Noticing my gaze, Cenk walked over to us. As he approached, the expression on my face withered like a plucked flower. My sudden mood shift didn't escape his notice as he leaned in and asked softly, "What kind of look was that, Marin? Are you really that bothered by me?"

I said in a cold tone as a chill ran down my spine: "You might have erased certain things from your memory, but I haven't forgotten." I had a bad history with him, and whenever I looked at his face, those moments came rushing back.

"You're looking at me like you're afraid of me."

I snapped back with a sharp look: "Why would I be afraid of you? If you're confusing me with the Marin from years ago, you have a long wait ahead. Besides, I haven't forgotten anything you said to me."

Without losing his smile, he asked: "And what did I say to you, Marin?"

I stepped closer and whispered so only he could hear: "You told me: 'If I killed you and buried you right here, no one would look for you. You're just an abandoned girl with no family.'"

As I tried to pull away, he grabbed my arm and pulled me close: "Marin... I wasn't in my right mind back then; I was under the influence. Really. I would never harm you. How could you think I'd hurt you when I love you this much?"

*When I love you this much.* My stomach churned. Isn't that what they call love-the very thing that makes people do the worst things, lose their minds, and then regret it?

Staring directly into his eyes, I let my disgust show: "Keep your distance from me. I don't want to resolve this legally, but if you force my hand, I won't hesitate. Believe me, it will end badly for both of us."

Releasing my arm, he said: "Alright, I'm sorry. Whatever you want." He quickly stepped back to put distance between us. As he walked away, my tense body finally relaxed.

Sitting next to Taylan, Cenk forced a smile onto his face. The two were cousins who saw each other often. Taylan asked his cousin: "Wasn't there any other place? I really can't believe you brought me to this man's venue."

Cenk shrugged carelessly: "What could I do? Goksel likes this place. We came for him, so just relax and enjoy yourself."

Elfida asked, her curiosity piqued: "Whose venue is it anyway?"

Taylan replied: "Nobody important."

Hating to be dismissed, Elfida fixed her gaze on Cenk: "At least you tell me, what's the story? Who owns this place?" Taylan's uneasy look made her even more curious.

Noticing my interest as well, Cenk leaned forward. Keeping his eyes on me, he said: "There's a man named Karan. They say the pain that trembles in the most delicate part of the heart, on the most sensitive strings, is called an ache. It burns a person's soul-a faint, subtle ache that penetrates deep and is hard to forget. It's a pain that doesn't kill you, but makes you suffer endlessly."