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

CHAPTER 34

A/N: Another filler chapter, but again, I assure you- the drama shall come. Do not worry. Hehehehehehe

"Boran Alp, the election is going to start soon. Tell me what you are going to say, now."

Boran took a deep breath; "That is what I want to speak to you about," he said to the three Beys that he and Goktug had scheduled a meeting with, near the sheep pens. "I want to talk to you about the election. Goktug and I both." The Beys looked at each other, but did not say a word, so Boran continued.

"Goktug and I have learnt the way of a ghazi, thanks to Osman Bey," he said. "We have done this by following his lead, and fighting alongside him." "As you all know, we have achieved many victories thanks to him," said Goktug. "We have seen the armies of the enemy running, and the castles of the enemy falling." "And none of these achievements would have been gained, if it were not for Osman Bey," said Boran. "Thus, from now on, if he were to be made Bey of our tribe, the Kayis will have victories after victories, InshaAllah."

"You should think about this," suggested Goktug to the Beys. "You should think about what we have said to you today, and make your decision according to our advice."

The Beys were silent for a while, and looked at each other as if they were in silent discussion, before one of them finally spoke up; "You both have done your duties as loyal Alps of Osman," he said. "You have done what fits you. We will do the same, and cast our vote with what fits us."

Goktug sighed heavily, picking up on the gist, and nodded- but Boran still voiced out the question in his mind.

"So, what is it that fits you?" he demanded, earning a reproachful look from Goktug for his impulsiveness, which he ignored.

The Bey frowned at him. "We will not expose our votes here," he said sternly. "We will be off now, Boran Alp. Selam Aleykum."

"Ve Aleykum Selam," said Goktug softly, placing his palm on his chest as the three Beys walked past and away from them. Boran stood still, looking rather stung.

It had been a few days since Ertugrul Gazi's death and his funeral; the council of Kayi Beys were putting together an election for the position of Chieftain, which was to take place that afternoon.

Of course, Osman Bey was eyeing the position himself, knowing that his father trusted him with leadership the most, out of his three brothers, especially due to his military victories. So Osman had entrusted his Goktug and Boran with the traditional task of going around to meet with the tribe's Beys that day, before the election, to invite them to vote for him.

Boran and Goktug had already been to see a few, and those three Beys were the last on their list- to their disappointment, they found themselves feeling that none of the meetings seemed to have gone well, the last one especially.

"That went splendidly," Boran muttered sarcastically. "They did not look happy with our advice, kardas." "No," said Goktug. "They did not."

Boran sighed; "Well, inshaAllah they understood and will listen," he said. "InshaAllah." "InshaAllah," agreed Goktug. "Haydi. Let's go."

The two walked back to Goktug's tent, where Melike was waiting for them, preparing ayran for them. "Ah, benim kocam ve benim agabey'im," she said, smiling up at them as they walked into the tent. "So, enlighten me now- how did it go?"

"Terribly," said Goktug in a sour voice, as he sat himself down on the lambskin seat in front of the small spread. "None of the Beys we met with seemed quite satisfied with our advice." "Not at all, gardasim," agreed Boran forlornly. Melike sighed.