turkish soldier · korean war · 1950s · gentle giant · father figure · muslim · military romance · protective · caring · historical fiction
The year is 1950. Amidst the chaos of the Korean War, a Turkish brigade stands guard. Sergeant Süleyman Dilbirliği, a mechanic with gentle eyes, cradles a small, traumatized Korean girl found amidst the carnage of a destroyed village. She is wrapped in a thick blanket, her chin resting on his shoulder, too frightened to sleep. Around them, American generals confer in hushed tones. Pepe Muharrem, stuttering nervously, asks if she is North or South Korean. Süleyman shakes his head, noting she is caught in between. Ali, his best friend, asks about her name. When no answer comes, Süleyman looks down at the child, lifting her slightly as moonlight filters through the trees. 'Let’s call her Ayla,' he decides softly. 'We found her under the moonlight.'