Mustafa introduced Nuri to his true passion. Without running into Mustafa randomly one day, they may never have connected with one another. Mustafa represented potential and the discovery of new dreams. The two worked closely together in Syria, mixing their work lives and family lives. And when everything came crashing down, the relationship they had nurtured over the years was the one bright spot. Mustafa, again, led Nuri to a new dream.
Mustafa went first and helped show Nuri the way. I think once Nuri arrived in England, he let his guard down a little- -to the point where he seemed in danger of losing his mind. His break with reality was keeping him from sleeping, leading him out of the B and B in the middle of the night, and ultimately into the water where he almost died. I think he was ashamed of what had happened to him and Afra on the trip. I think he was afraid Mustafa would not accept him. Maybe he didn't think he was worthy of Mustafa's love anymore.
I think it helped Nuri trust in this relationship when Mustafa shared his own dark days over the course of his e-mails. He reached out and Mustafa came to him as things were finally starting to turn around.