As my eyes snapped open in horror, I tried to make out the familiar face, but it was impossible. "No... this is impossible," I whispered, my voice lost in the dim light of the shelter. Before me stood Demir, my fiancé whom I had buried three years ago. Or rather, a man who looked just like him.
Rüzgar's intense gaze was on me. "Lale, are you okay?" he asked, his voice filled with concern. But I couldn't answer. Waves of shock had taken hold of my body. Demir... how could he be here, in front of me?
"It's you... Demir?" I stammered, my eyes still scanning his features. The same sharp jawline, the same dark brown eyes... but something was different. The warmth, the love in his eyes was gone. In its place was a cold and distant expression.
"Lale," Demir replied, his voice unfamiliar. "It's been a long time."
Rüzgar stepped forward, his body as tense as a bowstring. "What's he doing here?" he hissed, his eyes fixed on Demir.
"That's none of your business, Altun," Demir retorted, with the same coldness. "I have things to discuss with Lale."
Rüzgar's jaw tightened. "Don't even think about touching her."
As tension thickened the air in the shelter, I was still in shock. Demir, how? Why? These questions gnawed at my mind.
"Demir, how... how is this possible?" I asked, my voice trembling. "They killed you."
Demir smiled bitterly. "That's what you thought."
At that moment, a flash of lightning struck my mind. The organ mafia... did Demir have a connection to them? Or was he also a victim? But why had he appeared now?
"What do you mean?" I insisted, curiosity and fear mixed together.
"I'll explain," Demir said, taking a step towards me. "But first, Rüzgar Altun needs to leave here."
Rüzgar's anger was evident in his eyes. "Never," he growled. "I won't leave her alone with you."
"Don't worry, Altun," Demir said with a mocking expression. "I won't harm her. I'm just going to remind her of a few things."
Remind me? Remind me of what? My heart was pounding wildly. I looked at Rüzgar, and the plea in my eyes must have reached him because he hesitated for a moment.
*Don't go,* I wanted to shout inwardly. *Don't leave me alone with him.* But my voice failed me.
Rüzgar took a deep breath. "Alright," he said finally, his voice hard and determined. "But I'll be close. And if you try to touch her..."
"Understood," Demir said, shrugging his shoulders.
Rüzgar turned to me, a deep worry in his eyes. "If there's any trouble, scream," he whispered. "I'll come immediately."
I nodded, but the fear inside me wouldn't subside. As Rüzgar slowly left the shelter, I was left alone with Demir. When the door closed, I felt like I had been locked in a cell.
Demir turned to me, the cold expression still in his eyes. "Now we can talk, Lale," he said, his voice as cold as ice.
At that moment, I realized that I had made a big mistake by letting Rüzgar leave.