Forgiveness No Punishment

Meeting

The Oriental train station was crowded today as soldiers returned home. A young man stepped off the train, not looking for anyone—he hadn’t announced his return after two years of service. He had left college, deciding to finish his military duty first, following his uncle’s advice that discipline would come in handy for the future.

Like all the soldiers, he wore the army uniform, which hugged his well-built frame. His broad shoulders carried his heavy bag like it was nothing. His handsome face didn’t go unnoticed—some girls stared shamelessly at him, and when he winked at them, they blushed bright red and quickly lowered their heads.

He was a natural flirt.

Walking proudly down the main street, his soldier hat slipped from his shoulder. A young girl noticed it, picked it up, and ran after him.

“Soldier, wait!” she called out, and he stopped.

“This is yours, I believe?” she said, slightly breathless.

“Yes. Thank you, miss…?”

“Sibel Kara.”

“Thank you again, Sibel,” he replied. But she rushed off like the wind before his dark, piercing eyes. He stood still, watching after her until she disappeared around a corner. Something inside him whispered that he’d see her again—or he would do anything to make sure he did.

At home, his aunt and uncle welcomed him with surprise—they hadn’t expected him until next week. He had three younger cousins: Melisa, Doğan, and Murat. His aunt, his late mother’s sister, had taken him in after his parents died.

His aunt was already worrying about his future. He was soon to inherit a large fortune.

“Have you decided what to do, my boy? Will you go back to college or start working on the farm?”

“I plan to do both, Auntie.”

“And what about marriage?”

“I met my woman today! She was so beautiful, I swear I lost touch with reality for a moment.”

“Did this fairy have a name?” his uncle chimed in.

“Yes. Sibel Kara,” he said proudly.

“She’s my friend, you creep!” Melisa yelled from the chair next to him.

“What do you mean, she’s your friend?” he asked, curious.

“I share my school bench with her. She’s just fifteen, for God’s sake!”

Hearing that number felt like a cold shower. Still, Sibel had something about her—something beyond her age. She seemed more mature.

“Even if she were older,” Melisa continued, “the Kara family is bad news. They always bring trouble for people like us.”

“They’re rich?” he asked.

“Have you lived in a cave, cousin? They own Oriental! Don’t even think about her. They’d throw you to their dogs!”

“Well, we’re not so bad either. Soon I’ll have money, and with hard work, we’ll be rich too.”

“No. She’s a teenager. Leave her alone!” Melisa shouted.

“I want her, and I’ll do everything to have her. I’m just twenty, not that old. I’ll wait three years till she finishes school, and then I’ll marry her,” he declared, raising his voice.

“Good luck with the proposal!” Melisa scoffed.

“Melisa, go call your brothers. It’s time to eat!”

“Yes, Mum,” she grumbled, storming off and throwing dagger eyes at her cousin.

The Kara Family

Sibel was on the phone when she got the news that made her bounce with joy.

“Yes, yes, yes! I finally got accepted!” she squealed as she hung up.

“Why are you so enthusiastic, küçük?” her brother asked.

(küçük = little one)

“I got accepted to the conservatory in Vienna! I’ve been applying for three years!” she said, still dancing from excitement.

“Congratulations—and tell them thank you so we can sleep peacefully for a couple of years,” her brother joked as he left her room.

“Adem, you idiot, come back!” she yelled, chasing him.

“Sibel, how many times have I told you not to run around like that? You’re not a little girl anymore,” her mother scolded.

“Mum, why do you always scold me? I’m not running—I’m chasing Adem! He started it upstairs.”

“You’re the only single one left here. He’s got a wife now, someone who can keep him in check.”

“Well, no man will make me obey him like my sister-in-law does with my brothers,” Sibel smirked.

“This little one is stuck with us, Mum,” another voice said as a young man appeared at the door. She ran into his arms.

“Ismail, you’re here! Where’s Halime, my yenge?”

(yenge = sister-in-law)

“Right behind me—she brought gifts for everyone.”

“Don’t get too emotional, Ismail,” Adem said, ruffling her hair. “Miss here got into the Vienna Conservatory. We’re gonna miss this troublemaker.”

They shared a big, emotional sibling hug, with Sibel in the middle. The news brought joy and tears. It was the most incredible thing that had happened to her… and also the most terrifying. For the first time, she would be alone in a foreign country.

🌹Sibel🌹

I couldn’t sleep all night from excitement.

This dream is about to become real. Even though I have school and good friends here, I still want to leave. Oriental isn’t made for girls like me. If I stay any longer, I’ll get swept into the vortex of marriage and become a lifeless woman.

Even though I’m a Kara and my father gives me more freedom than most girls get, I still can’t risk staying.

Lost in thought, I didn’t see where I was going and bumped into someone on my way to school. This might be my last time walking this road before I fly away.

“Sorry,” I said, not looking up. Then I did—and saw him again. His dark eyes struck my soul in a way I couldn’t explain. I shivered, even though it was a sunny day.

“Miss Sibel, right?” he asked, offering his hand.

“Yes… soldier,” I replied, taking his hand gently, afraid mine would get crushed in his.

“Call me Sinbad. Sinbad Melekoğlu,” he said, releasing my hand.

“You must be connected to the Melekoğlu farm?” I asked.

He nodded solemnly.

“Are you their son?” I asked quietly. I remembered the tragedy—a fire took a couple’s life. They had a child. Maybe it was him.

“Yes. My parents died there in that fire.”

I felt the shift in his aura—he was either angry or heartbroken, maybe both. I couldn’t imagine his pain.

“My sincere condolences,” I said, offering a soft hug. “It must’ve been terrible to lose your parents like that.”

“Dostlar sağolsun,” he said when I let go.

(Dostlar sağolsun = “May friends live on.” A Turkish way to respond to condolences.)

I saw the tears in his eyes. “Life happens. It has joys and sorrows. After all, they’re made for humans to live through.”

He didn’t look at me as he spoke. A true Oriental man—afraid to show his emotions.

“True. I have to go now, or I’ll get suspended from school,” I said, stepping back.

“Of course,” he nodded, flashing a gentle smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

Each of them embarked on separate journeys, but this is merely the dawn of our tale.