As Bartu's words echoed through the room, Masal's eyes welled with tears. The kiss on her lips ended, and the air between them was thick with silence. Masal took a deep breath, her hands trembling involuntarily. "Saying you love... doesn't justify everything, Bartu," she said in a low voice. Bartu swallowed back his anger. His eyes were still fiery, but also desperate.
He approached, his voice lowering: "I know. But the thought of losing you drives me crazy." Masal took a few steps back. His eyes held both fear and intense curiosity. "I don't want to be afraid of you." These words cut Bartu like a knife. His hands dropped to his sides, and he let out a deep breath. It was as if he had let his guard down for the first time. "Then teach me to trust Masal... because I've already learned how to trust you."
Masal averted his gaze. His heart was beating rapidly, but his mind was in disarray. Only their breathing could be heard in the silence. They stood without looking at each other for a while. Finally, Masal whispered, her voice trembling: — "Bartu… if you really love me… you have to learn to control yourself first." Bartu nodded, not hiding the tears in his eyes: — "I'll try. I swear, I'll try for you." Masal took a deep breath, there was still hesitation in his eyes, but these words stirred something inside him.
As he looked at Bartu, a single word escaped his lips: — "We'll see." And at that moment, the fight between them had stopped for a short while. But the pain of a new beginning had already begun inside both of them. Masal's eyes were still shining, anger, resentment, and at the same time, that intense attraction she felt for Bartu were mixed together.
She bit her lips, her voice trembling: — "I can't breathe because of you, Bartu…" Bartu raised his head, surprise and hope appeared in his eyes. — "I know…" he said. "I'm burning because of you too." Masal narrowed her eyes, looking at him harshly, but her heart was beating rapidly. Bartu took a step, closing the distance between them. Masal didn't pull away, just held her breath. Bartu lightly touched Masal's cheek with his fingers.
This touch, unlike the anger of a moment ago, was a soft surrender. — "I'm afraid of hurting you... but living without you is a greater pain."
Masal closed her eyes, as if trying to hide what was going through her heart. A vague smile appeared at the corners of her lips: — "Being with you is... a separate battle." Bartu laughed softly, his eyes still locked on hers: — "Then let's fight. Together." Masal's heart almost jumped for a moment. Bartu's words both frightened her and spread a secret warmth within her. She broke the silence, as if whispering: — "I need time... to trust you." Bartu took a deep breath and leaned his forehead against Masal's. — "No matter how long it takes... I'll wait." At that moment, both of them stopped talking. No anger remained, no defiance. Only the intense rhythm of their hearts beating against each other filled the house.