Kabul - Acceptance: Sequel to 'Yasak - Forbidden' (A Goktug Alp Love Story)

CHAPTER 12

A/N: Early update cuz it's uh Malaysian National Day even tho I don't celebrate it cuz I'm not patriotic lmao but enjoy cuz why not uwu

After they walked back to her and Goktug's tent, Melike enjoyed a nice meal together with her friend whilst they chatted about the recent happenings, once Bala had calmed down after her loss of temper with Hazal Hatun. They planned to narrate the events to Gonca later on, who had not returned from Sogut just yet. Melike was sure that she too, being the sharp woman that she was, would agree that Bala had done right in telling Hazal off for her snide remarks and unkind comments and insults toward Osman and his Alps.

And whilst they spoke on the topic, Bala noticed the small satchel of strawberries after Melike had taken it out of her belt when they had started eating.

"Since when were strawberries in season, Melike?" she asked, confused. "How did you pick them fresh?" "I didn't, they were a gift," said Melike, smiling at her. "I believe they are the last of Sogut's fresh harvest for the coming winter. Would either of you like any?" "If they were a gift to you, I cannot," said Bala. She looked surprised, and curious. "Who gave it to you, though, bacim?" Melike smiled and winked at her, indicating that she wanted her friend to make a guess.

"Was it your brother?" asked Bala. "To me, it seems to be the kind of thing Boran Alp would do, just as you would- the two of you both have generous personalities. And I remember how he had even picked you a bunch of dandelions to cheer you up when Goktug was still away spying on Balgay." "That was sweet of him, but no, it was not Boran," said Melike, shaking her head. Bala frowned; "Ahmet?" she attempted another guess. "He too, likes giving flowers around- but no, it would be odd for him, and he has not left the tribe anytime recently." Melike grinned, urging her to continue guessing.

Bala creased her brow at her friend for a while, thinking hard- before her large hazel eyes widened, and a look of realization dawned on her face. "Strawberries...Cilek..." she murmured. "Are you saying Goktug Alp gave them to you?" Melike nodded in response, and Bala gawked at her.

"But you were in Kulucahisar this morning and early afternoon!" exclaimed Bala. "And Goktug was in Sogut, as he got sent to the dungeon! How could he have given them to you today-" She then squeezed her eyes shut, and Melike giggled. "You set him free, did you not?" Bala asked in a whisper, opening her eyes at her friend ever so slightly. "When you stormed out of Sogut after Hazal Hatun told you, you and Boran went to go and break him out. Is that true?" Melike shrugged in answer; "Oh, Melike, you did not," gasped Bala. "But- you would never go against Ertugrul Bey's orders!"

"No, I didn't do it," said Melike truthfully. "It was Abdurrahman Gazi who set him free." By then, Bala looked extremely surprised and taken aback.

"Abdurrahman Gazi?" exclaimed Bala. "He helped Goktug escape?" "Yes," said Melike. "Osman Bey had sent Boran and I down to the dungeons to rescue him, but we found him free with his weapons along the way through the underground passage. He told us that Abdurrahman Gazi had broken him free, on Ertugrul Bey's orders. And it was when I was about to return to the tribe that he had given me the strawberries."

"So Ertugrul Bey was behind this all along," whispered Bala, and Melike nodded. "He was," she confirmed. "He was. He was not going to let his Alp be framed for a murder he knew Goktug did not commit, and be executed for it. He had told Abdurrahman Gazi to save him, then send him into hiding until we have driven off Geyhatu."

Bala blinked at her for a while. "MashaAllah," she murmured, her cheeks lifting as she smiled softly. "Allah bless Ertugrul Bey...that was very good of him. You must be happy." "I am," said Melike, positively beaming. Bala nodded at her, but then frowned again.