Goreme-Cappadocia, Turkey

The trip this time covered quite a distance, approximately six hundred and fifty kilometers or about seven hours just driving to Cappadocia.

The weather that day looked cool. I pressed my back against Deniz's body, and looked out the car window, not wanting to lose any moment while in Turkey. Deniz's hand as usual gripped mine tightly, we got closer to each other. I let myself fall into the love he offers.

At 1915 we arrived at Termessos Hotel, Cappadocia. The long journey made all of us tired, we chose to have dinner at the hotel instead of going out. Deniz ordered a continental menu which was served on the balcony of my room, while enjoying the night view of Cappadocia.

It's very romantic, looking at the lamp arrangements from the stone house and the hills that rose around the hotel balcony.

The city of Goreme is hilly and has a very attractive landscape with odd rock structures caused by the phenomenon of wind and water erosion over thousands of years.

Most of the houses and hotels I saw were made of natural stone without being covered with any cement. All kinds of stone models and structures exist, it was like being in another dimension, I was told that some hotels offered the sensation of living in a cave. Most of the houses I saw are formed from rocky caves, reminiscent of my childhood cartoon 'Flintstones'.

The abode in a real cave is right here in a city in Turkey.

I wore a white longsleeve winter bodycon dress, with loose hair and natural makeup that night, I purposely dressed up as attractive as possible for our first romantic dinner since we were officially engaged.

Deniz was standing at the door of my room, ringing the door bell. I opened the door and I saw my future husband carrying a white rose bouquet. Behind Deniz, the room service cart with a complete meal and a bottle of wine that we ordered.

Deniz handed me a flower bouquet, while hugging me closer and whispering.

"I love you, baby. I'll try to make you open your whole heart, even if it takes my whole life."

"Thanks Deniz." I smiled sweetly as greeted him at the door, I kissed the tip of the rose he brought. It was fresh and so soft.

My face heated up hearing Deniz's words, I was moved at the same time floating, my feelings were mixed. Deniz pulled a chair for me to sit down, and we enjoyed the dinner while looking over Cappadocia at night.

"Baby, what are your plans next?"

Deniz put a few pieces of meat in his mouth.

"I will return to Indonesia before my visa expires."

"You don't need to rush home baby, I will take care of your residence permit as soon as possible if you want. I'm not ready to live far away from you, baby."

"I'm sorry, Deniz. This is part of our agreement. Come on, don't be selfish. After all, this is the time where I can test our feelings when we're apart, give me a little trust before we officially get married."

"I really want to go wuth you to Indonesia, but my work deadline is also waiting for me. I want us to stay in NY after we get married. Do you have any objection to that?" Deniz said while taking a slow look at the wine in my glass.

"I don't mind that. But may I ask one important question?"

"Of course, baby. You can ask me anything."

"What about the difference in our faith?" I asked quietly, very carefully.

Suddenly Deniz's face turned serious, but remained calm. "I've discussed this with my parents, and I gave them the understanding that I will follow you."

I looked at him in disbelief, is it that easy for the natives of a balkan country to move, I don't think so, but...

Is it because Izmir is part of society with a secular mindset? "Baby, there are things you have to know... this will answer the questions I can see on your face. My mother is a woman who comes from Athens, Greece, previously she was a Catholic, she became a Muslim following my father's religion. That's why my family is liberal."

I nodded my head understanding Deniz's explanation. There is a little relief there, but this is not what I want, using marriage as an excuse to change religions is it that easy?

Faith is an integral part of marriage, as well as love, they occupy each other's space and are not to be confused. Again and again I don't have the ability to argue back in this session.

"When do you plan to go home, I'll book the flight for you." Deniz interrupted me with his question.

"Anytime, before the twentith of february."

"How long are you going to stay?" He replied again, reaching for the cell phone on the table. "I plan to visit my parents' grave before I come back here. That means it will take me about thirty days." I said convincing him.

"Oh, no. I would go crazy if thirty days... Thats too long apart... How about in two weeks I meet you there?"

"How do you find me if you don't have my full address," I joked.

"I don't need your address. I'll find you. I would go to the ends of the world to be with you."

Ohh... I smiled thinly. That sounded like a threat. Never mind, he's just playing around with his words. The night seemed so to go very long, we didn't care about the fatigue from our drive here. It was as if we found energy admiring each other, and exchange stories.

We moved to sit on the inner sofa as the weather on the balcony was starting to bite. We watched TV together, while continuing to share stories. Deniz played with my hair, as I leaned on his shoulder. The smell of Deniz's perfume is already familiar to my nose, I'm afraid I will miss this perfume when I leave.

The next minute I found Deniz's lips had connected with mine. I also welcomed his touch.

ahh... I'm not an ice cube anymore, I felt something strange in my body, like lots of butterflies flying cheerfully that made me happy. As if it was like something I've started a long time ago... forget it.

I let Deniz take off my dress, carry me to bed and we spent the night together.

I opened my eyes, stared at the hotel room ceiling, tried to remember where I was, yaps!

I am still in Cappadocia, I feel my warmth next to me. I glance at the creature hugging me with his arms around me.

Deniz, I realized we had done something when I found myself waking up without my pajamas on. Or am I the one with amnesia.

There is a little regret why I have to be lulled into doing what I did, this is not about sin, but I the corner of my heart has not allowed it since what happened to me before.

Is it because I drank too much wine last night? Ah... no way. I laid motionless, not wanting to wake Deniz, my brain kept spinning, remembering what happened last night.

Deniz is the second man to touch me, and I do it carefree, even I feel inclined to like him.

Worry started to grow in me about Deniz leaving me after successfully screwing me... But never mind everything has happened, sometimes there is a price we have to pay to find out how serious he is.

I moved Deniz's hand off my body, I would immediately shower and dress, acting like nothing happened, but Deniz's hand caught my hand.

"Good morning, baby... Pleasee... don't go." He asked softly.

I turned my body, looking at him...

Deniz smiled mischievously as he pulled me into his arms. We fell asleep again.

We were finally awakened by the ringing of Deniz's cellphone that never stopped.

Emir calling...

Instantly, I jumped out of bed when I saw the clock on the wall showing the number 1300.

Emir called to say goodbye, he must return to Izmir today.

I rushed to the bathroom, cleaned myself, and Deniz followed me from behind, he took a shower with me to carry out the second attack after the incident last night.

Fuft... Another offense.

Being in Goreme, Cappadocia is like being in a foreign world or a fairy tale because of the unique shape of the earth's face. Large volcanic eruptions, from Mount Erciyes and Mount Hasan that occurred thousands of years ago changed the landscape in the Cappadocia Region resulting in a unique shape of the earth's surface. Some are like mushrooms, hats or cones.

The color of the stones here also varies from white, pink, green and yellow. Cappadocia is also known as 'fairy chimneys'.

Unfortunately we missed the opportunity to ride the 'Hot Air Ballon' because it was too late, the operating schedule only took place in the morning, while tonight we will be leaving for Istanbul.

Deniz took the time to rent a driver and adventure car to explore the valleys and hills in Cappadocia, this trip gave us a chance to explore from all angles. We could see the landscape from a height, see large rocks up close, corner cave houses and so on.

At 19.15 we were already on the flight back to Istanbul.

✈✈✈