Your Grace - Burak Çelik

CHAPTER 20

New Year came and went, and Ayedah celebrated and spent it with Ozge's family at their house. She stayed with Ozge for the whole holiday they were given, and Aunty Gab joined their dinner and celebrations on the day itself, as well as the night before. It was a merry break from work, though they kept well in contact with the cast and crew of Kurulus Osman- Ozge did, anyway; Ayedah's line communication seemed to be between her and solely Burak if not Aarif, and he even called her at midnight sharp on New Years. Ayedah didn't know whether to appreciate it or be annoyed, for it was the cause of many rather irritating comments about the two of them from Ozge, Gabriella, and even Ozge's family members.

Aarif, on the other hand, wasn't online as much as Ayedah would have hoped, but he still did talk to her. His term at the university would be starting later on in the year, but he was already preparing- and with Ayedah's help, he was doing alright so far. He also very considerately made sure to only communicate with her when he was away from the house, so their family members would not find out where she was or that he was talking to her. In fact, he hadn't even told them that he had seen her- he had, to both Ayedah's surprise and slight admiration, made up a story that he was going to Turkey for just a football game(which he did end up watching in the end, courtesy of Burak). She was grateful that her brother was willing to keep her location safe and to not involve the family with her.

As things were going well with Aarif, Ozge paid little to no attention that Ayedah had rebuilt her relationship with her brother, though she had given her support- but she was starting to develop an obsession over Burak and Ayedah's friendship. She was convinced that it was turning romantic, though Ayedah persisted that it was anything but. However Ozge was not easily swayed, and continued to try and persuade her to at least try and accept that fact, whether her stubborn friend would like it or not.

"I honestly think he does like you, Ayedah," said Ozge, munching on a chocolate granola bar as she watched Ayedah scribble down some notes after filming hours. "Come on- two trips to the beach on horseback?" "He likes riding horses in general," said Ayedah causally. "Yeah, but the beach specifically is usually his place to go on his own," persisted Ozge. "Plus bringing you and your good-for-nothing brother out? You know he did it all for you." "First off, lay off Aarif," sighed Ayedah- though she had not talked much about him, Ozge had not gotten over her grudge toward Aarif; she was suspicious of his presence though Ayedah had forgiven him, and had told Ayedah of her suspicions, which of course, the girl denied. "And secondly, I believe he's sincere." "Sincere in wanting to do it for you, definitely," said Ozge stubbornly. "He said he did it because he wants to welcome him to Turkey," said Ayedah just as persistently. "As a born and bred citizen here he said it was his duty to show Aarif his culture- and he took us to that game because he knows he likes football." "Oh yeah, sure," muttered Ozge, rolling her eyes. "That's what he said. Everyone else says differently."

Ayedah gave her friend a look. "What's that supposed to mean?" she demanded, putting down her papers and crossing her arms over her chest. "Ayedah, it's so obvious come on, how are you not seeing it!" groaned Ozge, exasperated. "He likes you- scratch that, he really likes you! Since the moment he saw you here on set, or even more likely, from when he met you at the vet. Everyone knows it, everyone sees it. You literally are the only one oblivious to it, maybe Burak too, I don't know." Ayedah cocked an eyebrow mockingly; "He didn't even know me when I met him there," she said with a sneer. "How could he have liked me then?" "There is something called 'love at first sight' you know," said Ozge with a dreamy look in her eyes, making Ayedah snort. "I bet that's what he had with you. Everyone believes it, Ozcivit, Yigit, Emel, Buse and all. We're all just waiting for the two of you to announce your relationship. I bet even Mehmet knows by now." Ayedah frowned, turned away sharply from her friend and continued to edit her notes. "Believe the fantasies you want, kardesim," she said with a sigh, adding a little practiced Turkish into her sentence. "I can assure you, they are just fantasies."