MY RÜYA

The night was quiet. 

Too quiet.

The kind of silence that didn’t feel empty, but full like it was holding something unseen, something waiting. Ruya slept peacefully, her breathing slow and even, her face calm in the dim glow of the night. There was a softness to her, even in sleep, as if the world had never been harsh enough to take that away from her.

And then... a dream found her.

It didn’t begin suddenly. It unfolded slowly, gently like a memory she had forgotten but was somehow returning to.

She stood in a place she couldn’t recognize. It was beautiful... but not in a way she could explain. Soft light surrounded her, neither day nor night. The air felt still, almost sacred, like the world itself had paused. There were no sounds, yet it wasn’t silent. It felt... alive.

Ruya looked down.

She was wearing white.

A flowing gown that moved with the air, light and delicate, as if it didn’t belong to the world she knew. Her heart began to beat faster not out of fear, but something else. Something unfamiliar. Or maybe... something remembered.

And then she felt it. She wasn’t alone. Slowly, she looked up. There was someone standing a few steps away from her. A tall man Dressed in a dark suit that contrasted against the softness of everything around them. She couldn’t see his face clearly. It was blurred... like the dream refused to let her understand.

And yet she felt him. Not like a stranger. Not like someone new. But like someone her soul already knew.

Ruya took a small step forward, her breath catching slightly. Why does this feel familiar? The question echoed in her mind, but no answer came. The man didn’t move. He just stood there, as if waiting. For her. The space between them didn’t feel like distance. It felt like something unspoken something that didn’t need words to exist.

Ruya tried to look closer, to see him clearly, to understand why her heart was reacting this way But the more she tried...the more everything blurred. The light dimmed. The moment slipped. And just as she felt herself getting closer she woke up.

Ruya’s eyes opened slowly, her breath uneven. For a moment, she didn’t move. The room was dark. Familiar. Real. But her heart...was still in that dream. She sat up slightly, placing a hand over her chest, trying to calm the strange feeling lingering inside her.

It wasn’t fear. It wasn’t confusion. It was something softer and deeper. Something she couldn’t name.

Ruya looked around her room, grounding herself in reality, yet a part of her still felt... somewhere else. With him. But that didn’t make sense. It was just a dream. Right?

She let out a quiet breath, lying back down, staring at the ceiling. The image was already fading. The place... gone.

Ruya closed her eyes again, trying to forget it. But somewhere deep inside her...she knew. That didn’t feel like just a dream. But the feeling of the dream lingered soft, distant... yet strangely real.

Who was he?

The question crossed her mind again, but this time, she let out a quiet breath and turned to her side.

“Forget it... it was just a dream,” she murmured to herself.And yet, it didn’t feel like one.Shaking the thought away, she slowly got out of bed and made her way to the bathroom. The cold water against her skin helped her return to reality, washing away the last traces of the dream at least, that’s what she tried to believe.

A little while later, dressed neatly and ready for the day, Ruya took one last look at herself in the mirror before stepping out of her room.

The house was already awake.As she walked downstairs, the familiar comfort of the home wrapped around her. The faint scent of breakfast filled the air, warm and inviting.In the living room, her father, Emir Yıldız, sat comfortably, reading the morning news on his iPad.

Ruya’s lips curved into a soft smile.She walked over and sat beside him.

“Assalamu alaikum, Baba.”

Emir looked up immediately, his expression softening as he placed the iPad aside.

“Waalaikum assalam, my love.”

He pulled her gently into a side hug, placing a light kiss on her head.

“Did you sleep well?” he asked, his voice calm and caring.

For a second, the dream flashed in her mind.

Ruya hesitated.

Then she smiled lightly.

“Yes, Baba... I slept well.”

He nodded, satisfied, unaware of the thoughts she chose to keep to herself.

Just then, her mother’s voice echoed from the kitchen.

Ruya, breakfast is ready!

Ruya stood up and made her way toward the kitchen, where her mother, Aylin Yıldız, was placing dishes on the table.

“Good morning, Mama,” she said softly, stepping closer.

Aylin smiled warmly, brushing a strand of hair away from Ruya’s face.

“Good morning, my love. Come, sit.”

They settled at the table together, the atmosphere calm and familiar. Moments later, Emir joined them. As they began eating, he looked at Ruya thoughtfully.

“So,” he started, “have you thought about what you want to do next?” Ruya paused, glancing up. “About your future,” he continued. “Do you want to continue your studies... or join me in the business?” The question lingered between them.

Ruya lowered her gaze slightly, thinking.” I’ll tell you soon, Baba,” she replied gently. “Let me finish my thesis first... then we can talk about it properly. “Emir nodded, respecting her decision.

“Take your time.” After breakfast, Ruya gathered her things and stepped outside with her father. The morning air was fresh, carrying the quiet promise of a new day.

As always, Emir drove her to the university a routine they had followed for years. The drive was peaceful, filled with small conversations and comfortable silence.

When they reached, Ruya stepped out of the car, turning back with a soft smile.“Have a good day, Baba.” “You too, my love. “He waited until she walked inside before driving off toward his office, continuing his usual routine.

Ruya stood there for a moment. Something felt... different. She couldn’t explain it. And she didn’t try to. Turning away, she walked toward the university building unaware that her life was slowly beginning to change.

The university grounds were alive with voices, laughter, and the restless energy of a new day.

Ruya walked in quietly, her steps calm, her mind still carrying traces of the morning. The dream had faded but not completely. It lingered somewhere deep, like a feeling she couldn’t quite reach.

“Ruuuyaaa!”

A loud, dramatic voice came from behind.

Ruya stopped and turned already knowing who it was.

And there she was.

Hala.

Stylish as always. Confident. Slightly dramatic. And absolutely impossible to ignore.

“Hi Rüyaaa, how are you?” Hala said in an exaggerated accent, flipping her hair as if she were on a runway.

Ruya blinked... and then laughed.

“What happened to you?” she said, trying to control her smile. “Why are you speaking in English instead of Turkish?”

Hala placed a hand on her chest dramatically.

“I am trying to connect with the world, darling.”

Ruya laughed again, shaking her head.

“You are already too much for this world.”

They both walked toward their class, Hala still talking nonstop about people, outfits, random things while Ruya listened, smiling softly.

Hala had always been like this.

A little show-off.

A little dramatic.

But in a way that made life feel lighter.

And Ruya... she never shared everything with her. Not secrets. Not feelings she didn’t understand yet.

Some things, she kept to herself.

In the Classroom

Students were already seated.

A group in the front row was gathered around a phone, whispering excitedly.

“Hey Hala, you have to see this,” one of them said.

Ruya sat down, opening her laptop, already focused on her work.

Hala leaned forward. “What? Show me!”

A link was sent in the group chat.

Ruya’s screen didn’t show it but Hala’s phone lit up instantly.

She opened it.

And then “Oh my God,” Hala whispered dramatically. “Rüya... he’s so handsome.”

Ruya didn’t even look up.

“Astaghfirullah,” she said calmly.

“Just look at him once!”

Hala sent the link again and this time directly to Ruya.

Her phone buzzed.

Once.

Then again.

Ruya sighed lightly and picked it up.

She opened the profile.

Raye Al-Hadid.

A dentist.

A biker.

A social media personality.

The video started playing.

Night.

A powerful bike.

City lights flashing across the screen.

And him

Wearing a helmet.

In every video.

His face hidden.

Ruya watched quietly for a moment.

Then said, almost thoughtfully,

“It’s strange... in a time where everyone shows everything to attract attention... he hides his face.”

Hala frowned.

“Exactly! That’s the problem. I want to see his face.”

Ruya smiled faintly.

“Maybe that’s why people are watching.”

Hala ignored her completely, already trying to scroll deeper.

“There must be one video without a mask.”

Ruya shook her head, amused.

At that moment, the professor walked in.

“Good morning, class.”

And just like that, the noise settled into silence.

But somewhere...

something had already begun.