Onik couldn't sit on the sofa any longer. Ira's calm face and the lingering flush of shyness on her cheeks drew him towards her. He felt it was time to break the silence.
Onik smiled gently and stood up. He slowly, softly, came close to Ira.
Ira realized Onik was approaching. Her cheeks, which had been pale from crying, instantly turned red with shyness. She quickly looked down, trying in vain to focus on the pages of her book.
Onik leaned over the chair and whispered into Ira's ear.
Onik (Mischievously smiling):
"What are you reading so intently? Are you looking for another vampire to hit?"
Ira gave a slight shrug of her shoulder.
Onik (Coming closer, gently nuzzling her forehead):
He began to tease her—but this time, there was no harm, only sweet playfulness. He rested his head on her shoulder and deliberately breathed softly into her ear.
Ira (Slowly overcoming her shyness):
"Ah! Onik! Are you starting again?"
Onik wrapped his arm around her neck and ran his fingers through her damp hair.
Ira couldn't bear it anymore. She turned to Onik, laughing. There were no tears in her eyes now, only the sparkle of love.
Ira finally said:
"Oppa, won't you let me live in peace or something?"
Ira, laughing herself, took Onik's hand and pulled him, gesturing for him to sit on the balcony chair. All the anger, pain, and resentment of the morning completely dissolved in that moment of playful banter. Onik smiled sweetly at Ira's playful complaint. He took her hand and helped her up from the chair.
Onik:
"Alright, alright. I won't tease you anymore. I'll try to be calm instead."
Onik looked at Ira and pulled her hand gently.
Onik:
"Hmm, okay, let's go get refreshed and go for coffee together. We need to put something in our stomachs, if nothing else."
Ira (Excitedly):
"Yes! Let's go, I'm starving!"
They started moving towards the room. Just then, Onik suddenly stopped and looked into Ira's eyes.
Onik:
"But..."
Ira (Curiously):
"But what?"
Onik (Whispering, looking into her eyes):
"But blue (Nil)."
Ira didn't understand at first. She looked out at the sea around them.
Ira (With confusion):
"Blue? Are you talking about the sea?"
Under Onik's deep gaze, Ira blushed again. Her cheeks turned red once more. She realized Onik wasn't just talking about the sea.
Onik (Gently holding her chin, smiling):
"No, my darling fool. The sea is outside. Blue is inside you, understood? Your eyes, your soul—they are all as deep and blue as that ocean."
All of Ira's hesitation and shyness vanished with this profound compliment. She smiled, met Onik's eyes, and rested her head on his chest.
Ira:
"Come on, no more delay. Coffee."
They both left the balcony and headed into the room. Their love was now as boundless as the sea, and the depth of their relationship as calm as that blue. They quickly got ready for their coffee date.
In a short while, they were prepared.
Onik, showing the cleanness of his new start, wore his favorite sky-blue shirt. The color seemed to carry the blue of the freshly seen dawn sky and the depth of the sea.
Ira, meanwhile, wore a light white dress. This white was a symbol of her heart's purity and her innocent love for Onik. In the white dress, she looked calm and radiant.
After changing, Onik went out first. He took their bike out of the garage. The metallic sound of the bike and the fresh air signaled their new destination.
Onik brought the bike to the front lane and waited for Ira. Ira, with her small bag slung over her shoulder, opened the door and stepped outside.
Onik in his sky-blue shirt beside the bike, and Ira in her light white dress—after the intense drama of the morning, they stood as reflections of each other's colors, ready to start their journey in peace. Onik started the bike's engine. That familiar roar signaled the start of their new journey.
Ira sat carefully behind the bike. Forgetting all the fear of the night and the pain of the morning, she placed her trust back in Onik. She hugged Onik tightly around the waist. Her embrace was not just for a ride, but a bond of commitment for a lifetime.
Before riding, Onik put on his black sunglasses. The sweet morning light was now getting bright, but perhaps the glasses also hid any lingering signs of fatigue beneath his eyes. In the black sunglasses, his face looked even more stable and resolute.
Onik looked back at Ira once, with that peaceful smile in his eyes. Then, he accelerated.
Then they slowly started moving forward.
Onik in his sky-blue shirt and black sunglasses, and Ira hugging him tightly in her white dress—their bike began moving along the coastline. This journey was not just to get coffee; it was an unwavering commitment to move forward on the path of love, past the mountains of religion, pain, and misunderstanding.In a short while, the bike stopped beside a beautiful coffee house built by the seaside. Onik got off the bike, and Ira carefully dismounted.
In the peaceful atmosphere inside the coffee house, they had a light meal. After the morning's emotional turmoil, the food brought comfort to both their bodies. They quickly finished eating and wasted no time heading to the sea.
Holding hands, they walked out of the coffee house and began to walk along the sea on the sand. The gentle sound of the waves and the salty sea breeze touched them.
The fresh wind coming from the sea messed up Ira's hair. Her hair flew across her face repeatedly. Ira kept laughing and sweeping her hair away.
Onik paused a little behind her, his eyes covered by black sunglasses. He watched Ira with captivated eyes—amidst the light, the wind, and the vastness of the sea, Ira seemed like a part of nature itself. A profound feeling settled in Onik's heart.
Onik looked at Ira, his heart free from doubt or fear. He said to himself:
"This girl... what a storm just raged over us! One lie, and what intense pain it caused her! But still, she didn't leave me. The sting of that slap showed me how true my fear of losing her was. I am Christian, and she is Muslim—yet she loves me. Now I am Muslim, just for her.
I promise, standing before this sea, that nothing will ever come between us again. My love will protect this sacred faith of yours, Ira."
Onik quickly walked up beside Ira, gently tucked her messy hair behind her ear, and held her hand. They both silently looked towards the sea; their promise of love was now as steadfast as this vast ocean. As Onik tucked her messy hair behind her ear, Ira gently squeezed his hand. She instantly realized the deep love he was contemplating while standing behind her.
Ira slowly looked up completely at Onik. There were no questions in her eyes now, only deep trust and love.
Ira (In a soft voice):
"Come, you."
Ira invited him to stand fully beside her.
Onik came. He stood directly in front of Ira, a shadow of peace in his gaze. Onik also looked back at Ira with deep fascination.
The sea wind once again messed up Ira's hair. Onik said nothing, but in a gesture of pure love, he gently fixed Ira's hair again. He knew no words were needed at this moment.
Then, the two of them stood in silence for three minutes, looking at each other.
This three-minute silence was the most important conversation of their lives. This silence was the answer to all the anger, pain, religion, and suffering of the morning. Their silence was the language of deep commitment and boundless love.
Around them was a breathtaking natural tableau:
The sea wind continuously lifted Ira's hair.
Her light white scarf fluttered like a flag, a symbol of their pure love.
The corner of Onik's sky-blue shirt also fluttered in the wind.
They looked deep into each other's eyes, as if, in this silence, they could see all the dreams of their future. Through their silence, the truth was established that love knows no religion or boundaries—it simply seeks refuge in the depths of another's heart.