My Turkish Heart

Chapter 9

The week went by so fast and he spent everyday blissfully in this little world with her. Things that were mundane to everyone else was like magic for her and it made him enjoy it even more. Burak had never experienced this kind of happiness before. Every day was an adventure with her from the karaoke in the car, feeding strays along the road, eating simits every morning, finding new Turkish dishes to try or even just a stroll along the shore, it all filled her with happiness. He feared how he would tell her the truth, but at the time he tried to tell her the fear of her not looking at him the same way made him chicken out. They had one last day together until Rachel arrived and Burak wanted to spend every free moment with her. In the meantime Izzy was feeling a bit uneasy these last few days with Burak. She at first thought it was her imagination, but then she realized it wasn't. Every place they had been to publicly, people had been staring at them or whispering about them. A few times she saw people taking pictures of them or more of Burak. She had asked him a few times about it and he had said tourists usually confused him with a popular Turkish actor. He even briefly showed Izzy a picture of him to see the resemblances. She had to admit they looked a lot alike, but something really seemed off. Burak kept brushing it off and told her to just live in the moment, but her gut was telling her there's more to it.

As they drove in silence their last full day together, they both sat with thoughts filled with mixed feelings.

"Okay this is weird! Feels like we driving to a funeral"

" Huh? What do you mean?"

Burak was so deep in thought about telling Izzy the truth today that he had barely noticed the awkward silence.

"Are you okay? You seem a bit off.."

"Yes, Yes! Just have some work things on my mind"

"I'm really sorry that I took so much of your time this past week. I hope your boss isn't mad.."

"Yok canim! Everything will be fine" he tried to fake a smile.

"Ok.. So where are we going today?" She tried to sound optimistic

" I wanted us to go to Princess Islands, but with this traffic we might miss our ferry"

 Burak tried his utmost to do normal things with Izzy as he knew she wasn't a girl impressed by the flashy lifestyle. When they arrived their ferry had just left the dock, Burak shouted and waved his arms, but nothing.

"I'm sorry! I should have picked you up earlier, it's my fault"

"Hey! It's not a big deal! Anyways I can go check it out with Rachel in our free days" The thought of her experiencing it with someone else saddened him a little, but he knew it was almost time for her to leave so he had to let her go slowly. Pacing on the dock thinking what to do next.

"I have an idea! Some place I really want to see"

"Where?"

"Balat!" she said proudly.

"Are you serious now?"

"Yes, why? Too local for you?"

"No, just surprised you want to go there"

"I would go with Rachel, but she's not into nostalgia type of things or sentimental things. She likes flashy and trendy places to visit"

She really was such an odd woman compared to the ones he usually knew. Even though her dress code daily was more for comfort than fashion, she really amazed him.

"You know I'm really just so impressed by how comfortable you are in your own skin"

She looked at him dumbfounded.

"What do you mean?"

"You know what you like/dislike. You know what you want or don't want. Literally you are happy with the smallest thing like a fresh simit or a slice of kunefe. I've literally never met a woman like you"

Izzy felt a little embarrassed by Burak's words as her cheeks reddened.

"Umm... Thanks, I think..?"

"It's a good thing, trust me"

He leaned in and placed the curl that fell in her face behind her ear. His closeness was a bit intimidating for her as she gulped by his touch against her face. The way he stared at her, intensely looking at every inch of her face and his eyes trailed down to her tight pressed mouth. It was undeniable to dismiss the growing chemistry between them.

Izzy snap out of it.. You can't be more..she told herself.

She kept repeating it to herself as the silence spoke volumes the closer he came to her. Izzy was thankful to Burak's cell phone who broke the intense moment.

"Efendim?!" he answered in a grumpy tone.

She wasn't sure what their friendship meant to Burak, but she knew for her that this wouldn't work out. Her mind was fixed on being just friends and finishing the job at hand. She didn't have the emotional capacity to entertain a long distance relationship now, she had a career to think of. As he concluded Izzy knew what she needed to do.

"I'm done! Ready to go to Balat?"

"No, I've changed my mind. I'm feeling a bit under the weather, can you get me a taxi to the hotel please?" She lied.

Burak was caught off guard by Izzy's change in mood.

"Are you okay? What's wrong?"

"Nothing major, just want to go lie down. Can you get me a taxi please?"

"No, I'm taking you myself"

"No, don't be silly. It's a nuisance for you to drive back again, I'll take a taxi"

"I don't mind.."

"No, you should stay and sort out your business. I'll go rest"

Burak still wanted to argue with Izzy but a taxi came just at that time and she got into it. He watched her leave and couldn't understand what had just happened.

"Was it because of the phone call? She misunderstood?"

By the time Izzy reached the hotel, her head was hurting from all her overthinking. She kept playing the intense moment with Burak over in her head, trying to figure out if he was about to kiss her or not. It wrecked her brain the entire drive home.

" I have to let this go. I have to clear my mind. Nothing can happen between us"

She said to herself as she curled up on the couch in her room. The pitch was Tuesday and then she wouldn't need to deal with Burak and his company until she got home. The thought of leaving suddenly made her stomach feel a bit unsettled. Izzy couldn't understand the mixed feelings she had nor the thoughts starting to linger on her mind. All of them involved Burak and she knew she should keep her distance before anyone gets hurt or turns into something serious. It was after midnight and she still couldn't fall asleep, all her thoughts were on him. He tried calling to see if she got home safely, but she had no energy to reply. She stood at her window and watched the view. It reminded her how surreal this trip has been so far and how the days left in Istanbul were fleeting. She thought of calling Burak back, but it was too late now and she needs the rest before Rachel arrives.