Intrigue

'Innocence belongs to those who wait.' Meryem, a young woman of 18, has been married for 18 months. But after six days of marriage, her husband left for Istanbul and hasn't reappeared since. As the days turn into weeks and months, Meryem longs for Mustafa and a settled married life, but she doesn't give up hope.—Ece

Meryem, a young woman of 18, has been married for 18 months. But after six days of marriage, her husband left for Istanbul and hasn't reappeared since. As the days turn into weeks and months, Meryem longs for Mustafa and a settled married life, but she doesnt give up hope. And above all, she considers it her duty to take on all the chores around her mother and father-in-laws house. After all, the real reason for her marrying into family is to take good care of them. Her father-in-law, Süleyman, was a childhood friend of her long dead father. And being chosen as the familys bride was an act of loyalty on Süleymans part to his erstwhile friend. For all her optimism, Meryem sometimes gives way to despair. But her mother always counsels patience; this, she insists, is the custom. Once youve married into a mans family, there is no going back. All the while, Meryem is tacitly blamed for not failing pregnant. n the meantime, something unexpected happens. Murat, who felt in love with Meryem before leaving for military service, is discharged from the army and returns to the town. His experiences in the military have scarred him psychologically and required him to have a long spell of treatment. n his current state, Murat poses a serious threat to Meryem