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I hadn't ever thought of getting married again. I never knew a day would come where I'd be dressed in all white. The only time I had flowers in my hair and a white veil on my face was when I entered this house, as Hamza's wife. Yet the wheels of time had turned and it had pointed at me.

Time had caught up with me and I was forced upon a decision I wouldn't ever have made, if it wasn't for my daughter. I'd do anything for my Mirya.

A cold shiver rushed down my spine and I sat utterly still on the vanity stool, feeling my hair being pinned lightly.

" Elif are you okay?" A soft voice whispered beside me making me glance upwards seeing Farya standing behind me.

Till this day, I was in awe at how beautiful she was. The woman had long brown hair that seemed to shine a shade of gold in the sun, and those large hazel eyes that made her thin face stand out. She truly was beautiful and her heart ten times more.

I hadn't ever thought I'd come to be fond of Farya. Especially after knowing whose daughter she was, but from the first day I had seen her. Standing helplessly in the foyer of the house, till this day. I knew Farya Aydin was so much more than met the eye.

" Yeah, I'm good" I whispered seeing her give me a light smile before she nodded. Looking down at my hair, the woman continued putting the diamond pins against my light brown hair as I felt my nerves spike up by the minute.

" Elif I wanted to give you this" Farya spoke as she stepped away from my hair and reached towards a small black box on the bed. Turning towards me, she handed it to me making me take it.

" Farya you shouldn't have. You know this marriage is only for.. you know"

I spoke unable to finish the sentence seeing her nod understandably before she sat on the bed. Her baby bump making her look even smaller.

Glancing down at the small box, I opened it slowly feeling my eyes widen at the diamond bracelet.

" Farya this is too much"

" Don't be silly Elif, you're my big sister right? This is nothing"

She spoke giving me a full blown smile making my heart warm up. An uneasy feeling came across me all of a sudden as knocking came on the door.

" Farya, you guys wanna hurry up. The Imaam is here"

Kenan's voice spoke making me swallow sharply and look towards Farya nervously.

" Don't worry, it'll be okay Elif" Farya spoke softly as she slowly stood up making me follow her action.

Turning around slowly my gaze flickered towards the mirror, seeing the simple white dress flow down my figure. It reached just above my legs. The sleeves were long covering up my arms. Reaching towards the white veil, I found myself glancing over my features.

Farya had insisted I wear makeup, after much persuasion I had managed to apply a little amount, as the kohl eyeliner made my eyes stand out against the white outfit.

Glancing at the vanity table, my eyes flickered towards the diamond ring laying in the box. I could feel my throat construct and tears well up in my eyes.

If only Hamza had been alive. This day wouldn't have come.

I thought feeling a tear slip from my eyes seeing Hamza's picture on the table. His handsome face sporting a smile making his eyes light up.

Reaching forward, I felt my fingers brush against the photo seeing Farya behind me reach slowly.

" Elif come on lovely"

She whispered making me nod as I quickly reached towards my face and brush the tears away. Clearing my throat, I found myself walking out of the room and down the stairs with Farya in front of me.

I could see the woman stop for a short moment. A look of pain flashed across her face as she reached towards the railings. Her small body cowered, and for a moment I thought she was going to fall. Making me gasp and reach forward.

" Farya what's wrong? Is it the baby?"

I whispered seeing her look towards me before she forced a smile and shook her head.

" It's nothing. I'm going to be okay"

She murmured slowly, almost to herself before a small smile came across her face and she walked down slowly.

Following behind her, I felt my breath being caught in my throat. Kenan was waiting at the side of the stairs, dressed in a black suit, he looked the definition of handsome making me smile at my cousin.

I could see Kenan's eyes widen as he looked at me. A full blown smile coming across his face.

" Elif you look breathtaking" Kenan spoke as Farya stood next to him, the baby pink dress she wore making her look like a foreign royalty. Her long brown hair now pulled in to a loose bun as she smiled towards Kenan.

" Of course she does. She always does" Farya spoke as she turned around. I could see the woman's face light up as she looked towards Moustafa.

Who ever would have thought Moustafa Aydin would be whipped, as he is now. Would have been considered insane, but as I now look at the man standing in front of his wife. His hand reaching towards her baby bump, I felt a smile coming across my face.

" Elif you look beautiful" Moustafa spoke as he looked at me, making me smile kindly. Looking down at my hand, I could see my mother walk towards me as she reached towards me. Embracing me in a hug.

" I'm so proud of you for making this decision"

She spoke making me tense. Releasing the embrace, I felt my mother smile a little. " I did it for Mirya" I spoke seeing her nod.

Farya was the first one to walk inside the room, followed by Moustafa and the my mother. Kenan walked side by side with me as we stepped inside the large room.

I could feel hundreds of eyes on me, yet the room only consisted of ten people or so. Everything around me stilled, I was moving yet at the same time I felt the world around me halt for a moment.

Imaam Mebarak sat next to Elder Ali as they both looked upwards. A smile on their faces. I could feel Kenan hold on to my hand, making me squeeze on to it nervously.

" You're going to be okay Elif. It'll be okay" He whispered as my father stood up and walked towards me.

It was as though, I was transported back to that day. When I married Hamza, how Elder Ali wore a fancy suit and as did my dad. Hamza had insisted he put a flower in my hair and the moment we had been married, he reached forward and placed a white rose in my hair.

Intaking a sharp breath, I found myself taking a seat between Elder Ali and my father. I could feel heated gaze on me making me glance upwards.

Dark brown eyes glanced at me, making me tense. A chill running down my body. Murat sat next to Imaam Mebarak, dressed in a black suit.

His raven hair was brushed backwards, and the stubble he usually had was now adjusted a little. Sitting upwards, I could see the man offer me a somewhat kind look making me glance down at my hands.

Imaam Mebarak cleared his throat and offered supplication to Allah. He then recited verses in Arabic followed by a few more prayers and then came the moment I had been dreading all week long.

Imaam Mebarak turned towards me as he addressed my full name and my fathers name, before asking my consent for the marriage.

" Elif Sadik daughter of Mehmet-Shah Sadik. Do you accept Murat, Son of Tayyib Aydin as your husband?"

Imaam Mebarak spoke as I felt a sudden weight on my shoulders. It was as though the world around me was closing in, making me glance upwards. My eyes flickering towards Mirya sitting with my mother and Esma.

" Elif?"

I felt my father's voice beside me making inhale sharply and nod. My words getting stuck in my throat.

" I do" I finally spoke, feeling my dad's hand hold on to mine in reassurance.

" Elif I'll always love you, and I promise you I'll bring flowers to you every day"

" I do"

" I promise to take you all across the world, that's if you don't spend all my money on food"

" I do"

" And I promise I'll always be here, till the end of our days"

Hamza's voice echoed in my ears as I felt tears blur my vision. Luckily the veil on my head allowed me to glance down at my lap, without anyone noticing the tears rushing down.

Quickly reaching upwards, I felt my hand brush the tears away and almost as if the universe was forcing me. My gaze flickered upwards seeing Murat's eyes trained on me. An unrecognizable look flashing across his eyes.

Imaam Mebarak continued to ask Murat, who agreed each time, and then suddenly the room was filled with exchanges of congratulations.

Closing my eyes, I felt tears rush down my face whilst my father embraced me followed by Kenan.

" Elif, don't cry. Hamza would have been so proud of you" Kenan spoke as he cupped my face making me nod.

" I think we should leave the two alone for a while. The people from the registry will be here in a moment as well"

Imaam Mebarak said as they all slowly stood up. I could see Farya and Moustafa walk towards me and Farya suddenly hugged me. Large tears welling up in her eyes.

" I am so happy for you"

She spoke through tears making me nod, unable to say anything. Moustafa placed his hand on my head, in a form of blessing before he walked out of the room, with Farya side by side.

The door to the room suddenly closed and all that remained was me, the silence and Murat.

" Elif"

Murat's deep voice spoke making me look upwards. Looking towards the man before me, I could see him reach towards his front pocket as he handed me a white handkerchief.

A moment of silence greeted us and I contemplated on whether to take it or not. Murat must have noticed my hesitation as he placed it on the table beside me and stood up.

" Do you want me to get you a drink?" He suddenly asked making me look towards him and shake my head in refusal.

Standing up, I could see Murat reach towards the door as he opened it and stepped out first, before turning around. His eyes landing on me.

Glancing down nervously, I found myself walking out of the room and straight in to the kitchen where everyone now sat, eating.

Glancing around I felt my eyes landing on Mirya sitting next to Moustafa and Farya as they talked animatedly with her making her laugh.

" When your Aunt Farya has a baby, we're going play with her because you'll be her big sister. You have to look after her"

Moustafa spoke making Mirya nod as Farya tucked her hair strand. The sight in front of me warmed my heart and I knew, I had made the right decision. I would have done anything for Mirya, atleast now as she grows up, she'll be in her own home. The place where her father grew up.

Taking a seat next to Farya, I felt my gaze flickering towards Elder Ali and Dad talking intently about something. Everyone was around the table yet it still felt empty.

Hamza isn't here thats why

My voice of reason whispered. I still can't believe I had agreed to this crazy idea, but the moment Elder Ali sat up on his bed. His old frail eyes welled with tears as he talked about Hamza.

I couldn't bring myself to say no to him. It still baffles me as to why Murat had agreed in the first place. He wasn't the type to talk much, he was always self reserved but somehow on that day. He had agreed to it.

If you had told me last month I would end up marrying my dead husband's younger brother. I would have smacked you across the face, yet here I was sitting in front of him, and in the eyes of the people around us, as his wife.

I can still remember the first day Hamza introduced me to Murat. It was on the day of our wedding. He had just come back from serving in the army for his mandatory military service.

At first sight, I wasn't a fan of him. Especially with the buzz cut he had but as time would go by. He'd occasionally greet me. The man wasn't much of a talker but after Hamza's death. He took it upon himself to make sure Mirya was okay.

He wouldn't talk much with me, heck he hardly spoke with me and one would get the impression he didn't like me much, but then again. I was his brothers widow. What was he supposed to say.

Murat could have married anyone, but why did he agree to marry me?

Sure, he was two years older than me but I knew so many women that were dying for his attention and he didn't spare them a single glance.

" The food was lovely, but Mehmet, Elder Ali I need to make my way for the mosque. It's nearly the night prayer time"

Imaam Mubarak spoke as he stood up and took his plate to the sink, Farya took the plate off him. The men stood up all of a sudden as they got ready for the mosque.

Farya insisted I sit down as both her and Layla cleaned all the dishes and made tea.

I could feel my gaze flickering towards the clock seeing it pass by and soon enough, it struck Ten. Mirya had fallen asleep and Kenan took her off my lap before Esma walked upstairs with her and put her to bed.

An uneasy feeling creeped down my back as Moustafa walked inside the room followed by Murat.

" Elif, you must be tired. Why don't you head to bed" Farya whispered beside me and I knew what she meant. Tensing for a moment, I nodded before standing up and walking out of the room feeling Murat's eyes on me who was sitting next his brother.

Walking up the stairs, I found Esma standing besides my room making me look at the woman, seeing her give me a sad smile.

" Elif, my lovely" She spoke as I stood next to her seeing the woman place her hand on my shoulder.

" Mirya is asleep. You should sleep in Murat's room" Esma spoke, forcing her words out as the woman looked at me one last time before she walked past me.

I could feel my heart drop to my stomach as I now stood in the middle of the hall. Looking upwards, my eyes landed on the room next to Farya and Moustafa's. Towards where Murat's room was.

A heaviness suddenly engulfed me and I didn't know how long I stood there, though I stood enough to hear the sound of footsteps beside me.

Tensing, I could see Murat walk towards his room, his large figure standing in front of the door before he pulled it open.

Turning around slowly, his gaze flickered towards me and I could see a look of pain flash in his eyes before he cleared it and looked away.

Stepping inside, he left the door open, almost as if he was leaving me to make the decision myself.

I didn't know what took over me as a moment passed and I found myself slowly walking towards where the door was.

In all my years, I hadn't ever been inside his room but now as I stepped inside. It screamed his personality.

There was a large bed next to the wall in the middle of the room accompanied by bed stand on both ends. The large wall length window was now covered by the white curtains, hiding away the night.

Walking further inside the room, it felt as though I had stepped in a complete different house. Intaking a sharp breath, I slowly sat on the bed feeling my heart beat wildly and the blood rushing from my head.

Gripping on to my hands in nervousness I could hear the sound of the bathroom door opening and then closing.

Looking upwards, my eyes widened seeing Murat in front of me. His suit was now exchanged for a black top and matching trousers. I could feel his eyes landing on me, a momentary silence falling around us before I cleared my throat.

" I-"

" I know, its okay"

He spoke as he slowly walked towards doors, closing it lightly he made his way towards the bed before sitting down.

He hadn't ever sat this close to me. I thought nervously. Glancing to the side, my gaze flickered towards Murat seeing his eyes land on me.

Glancing down, I felt the man beside me move, as his hand slowly reached towards the loose veil on top of my head. Taking it off slowly, the fabric landed on my lap. Loose hair strands fell next to my face making me look upwards seeing Murat look at me intently.

Looking at him nervously, I felt my heartbeat thundering in my chest as the man glanced at me.

I could feel the man lean in, making me tense. Staring at him nervously, his face was merely an inch away as the man slowly leaned in and placed a kiss on my forehead.

Closing my eyes, Murat's lips brushed from my forehead towards my cheek. His warm hand gently reaching towards my cheek as he cupped it lightly.

" You're so beautiful"

He murmured making my eyes snap open, feeling them widen like a saucer.

" He is going to be your husband Elif, you have to make him happy. Remember this is his first marriage. You know what I'm saying right"

My mothers voice echoed in my ears. Looking upwards, I could see Murat glance at me with a soft smile across his face. A sight I hadn't ever seen before.

" Elif" He asked softly, as he brushed my hair strand away, his eyes flickering towards mine making me look down nervously.

" Mhm"

I answered back, not able to form any words. Murat's fingers went underneath my chin, as he slowly brought my face upwards so our eyes could meet.

" I promise you, I'll be the husband and a father figure, for you and Mirya"

He spoke as I felt my throat clogging up. Tears blurred my vision making me swallow sharply feeling them rush down my face.

" You didn't have to, you know. You're young you don't need all this burden" I whispered seeing Murat shake his head as he continued looking at me.

" You're not a burden, you're my wife"

He spoke for the first time, the words unfamiliar to my ears and he must have sensed it too as his hand moved away from my face.

" Elif, you won't ever have to do anything you don't wish to" Murat spoke making me nod. Silence greeted us again as I glanced from my hands and across the room.

" If you don't like it, you can change anything you want" Murat spoke, making me nod at the man but I knew I'll hardly be here. I'll be in my room.

" It's lovely"