PRESENT (AFTER 2 YEARS):
Elena was shocked and taken back by his sudden confession. "Why would he apologize to me all of a sudden?" she thought. But she didn't get any valid reason to point at. So she waited for him to continue. Murat is looking at some point and seemed to be in deep thought as if he is recollecting something. He seemed to be lost in his thoughts. The wind was blowing heavily and clouds darkened.
"Murat? mmm.. are you ok?" she asked him, her voice is so delicate as she is talking to a fragile petal which would smear, if not handled with intense care. He didn't respond to her, probably because he is in his own thoughts and is unable here her.
"Murat?" she called out again, slightly placing her tender hand on his shoulders. By her sudden touch, he came into his sense.
"Ya, what you were saying ?" he asked her hurriedly.
"Earlier why did you apologize ?"she asked innocently.
"Be..bec...because of the..that incident tw...two ye..years ago" he finally said stuttering all along, which shown that he is too nervous. When Elena heard him suddenly she realized what he was pointing at and the color drained from her face and suddenly she looked plain, without any emotions. For a few moments, they both didn't utter a single word. Silence is engulfing them slowly and the moment became too awkward. Murat is the first to speak and tried to ease the situation.
"Should I drive? "he asked and continued "don't worry we will reach the destination" he added.
"Okay," Elena replied. They got into the car and Elena is still thinking about what he had just said. Murat turned on the music and a melodious song started playing, easing the atmosphere in the car and making it sweet.
" Which university did you apply ?" he asked her. Elena came out of her thoughts when she heard him speaking to her.
"Springfield university" she replied turning to him and just then her eyes met his and then she realized that they were in the same car and traveling. Now that she is at ease, she can't help the butterflies bubbling in her stomach.
"What about you? Which university did you choose ?" Elena asked him, trying hard to stay normal, suppressing her blush.
"Springfield university" he grinned, turning to her.
"Wow, that 's great then. You know Nina and Devlin are also applying for the same university ", she said beaming and her eyes are shining the whole time. She couldn't ask anymore. Having him in the same college as her and being his neighbor, that's enough for her. she felt contended. After about 35 min. journey, the duo reached the market.
"what do you want to get first from your list ?" he asked.
"no no...we will get your things first " Elena replied.
"I..I..uhh..I.. just gave an excuse to Mrs.Forbes to escape from grapes and actually I don't have to buy, Dad got all the necessities "he said stroking his neck, "not again..,don't stroke your neck...,your very act will trigger me to pull you into a breathless kiss"she thought and is shocked by her own thoughts."I am turning into a wildcat, after meeting him" she thought. She initially though suspected him, when he took the plate full of grapes but she didn't expect him to get out of that grapes situation this smoothly.
"Oh! But if you go empty handed and if in case mom saw you, you will be in trouble,..so let us get you something o.k?" Elena suggested. He gave a thought to what she suggested for a moment and replied.
"You are right, we will get something" he agreed. When they were about to enter the market, a known face appeared to them. The person started walking towards them, probably because he might have seen the duo too and he stopped in front of them, midway to Elena and Murat.