Saagar Kote
Netflix’s ‘To Love, To Lose’ or ‘Ayrilik da Sevdaya Dahil’ centers on the turbulent relationship between Afife Jale and Kemal Yaniklar. The narrative explores the clash of their two distinct worlds, where Afife is a struggling screenwriter and diner owner facing severe financial strain, script rejections, and a failing business. Kemal, on the other hand, belongs to a powerful local loan shark family. Afife’s life is thrown into chaos upon discovering her mother’s large debt to Kemal’s family. Initially, Kemal’s sole motive is debt recovery. However, his frequent interactions with Afife unexpectedly spark complex and confusing emotions.
The show chronicles their emotional journey as they navigate the volatile territory between intense hatred and burgeoning love, ultimately forcing both to confront and challenge their deeply held existing beliefs to embrace their new reality. The emotional core of the story is the emotional equation between Afife and Kemal. Their trials and tribulations add a sense of intrigue and unpredictability to the show. SPOILERS AHEAD.
Kemal and Afife Realize Face Difficult Challenges in an Unstable Situation
Kemal and Afife go through an arduous journey to build a meaningful bond with each other. Their contrasting lifestyles, class backgrounds, morality, and interests don’t stand in the way of romance. However, their love also exists discreetly, without the acceptance of society. Kemal is already engaged to Neslihan, which makes it difficult for him to truly pursue a deeper relationship with Afife. Upon learning that Neslihan insulted Afife’s family members and forced them to sell the house and the diner, Kemal breaks up with Neslihan. He takes out his engagement ring and indicates that he doesn’t want to marry Neslihan. This leaves Neslihan heartbroken, even as she tries to stop Kemal from moving away. Kemal also intends to quit the family business and live peacefully without crime.
But his position of responsibility makes it tough for you to abandon everything in the city. On the other hand, Afife finally accepts the fact that her diner and house are going out of her control. She agrees to sell the diner, and even puts a “for sale” sign in front of it. Once this happens, buyers show interest immediately, which further drives Kemal and Afife away from each other. However, Kemal steps in at the last minute and saves the diner and the house through a financial intervention. Afife is overjoyed and realizes that Kemal truly loves her. Kemal is able to let go of his guilt, finally happy that he has helped a family in need. These factors play an important role in determining the way in which Kemal and Afife’s saga concludes.
Afife and Kemal Accept a Bittersweet Reality Towards the End
After Kemal helps Afife, she understands that he really cares about her, despite all his shortcomings as a loan shark. However, Kemal and Afife are forced to accept a difficult reality towards the end of the story. Neslihan, overcome by emotion, drives into a wall at high speed, causing significant injury. She doesn’t accept her separation from Kemal and chooses to take her own life. The emergency responders arrive on time and transport her to the hospital immediately for treatment. Kemal reaches the hospital in a state of distress and feels guilty for abandoning his former fiancée. After the efforts of the medical team, Neslihan survives. Kemal realizes that Neslihan also loves him deeply, to the extent of killing herself for his love. Kemal and Afife’s conversation at the café forces the two of them to make a difficult decision.
Afife expresses her gratitude to Kemal for saving her business and also says that her script has been approved by the network. Kemal tells Afife not to worry about paying him back and that the diner made him feel alive. Kemal feels that the diner is the only place where he feels love and warmth, which his family never provided. Afife tells him she still owes him a lot for what he has done for her. Afife expresses regret about Neslihan’s actions. She wishes Kemal could leave everything behind and stay with her. However, she comes to terms with the reality that Neslihan deserves a second chance.
Though they love each other, it is not morally right for them to abandon their past. Afife urges Kemal to reunite with Neslihan and help her recover. Though this is not an easy decision, Kemal sadly accepts it. Kemal and Afife bid goodbye and decide to part ways forever. All in all, they choose responsibility over love.
