Lucky

Chapter 2

I want to thank each of you very much for the kind words and affection you have given me for the first chapter.

I hope this story will be as special to you as it is to me.

"Serkan, Engin!"

Efe and Ferit approached the table where the two friends already were and they ordered another round of drinks.

They had small talks, Efe told them how their latest project was going to be amazing and Ferit confirmed, so happy about it.

- Serkan, thank you for getting this project, I think it's going to be a big turning point for our career. So, this toast is to the best boss we can ask for!

Efe raised his glass, Engin and Ferit followed him and Serkan was now red as a pepper, he wasn't used to all these compliments.

- The one who has to thank someone is me, you're the best colleagues I can ask, and the love for your job makes Art Life greater day by day. And you're pretty cool as friends, too!

They started laughing and took a long sip of their drink. They continued like this until Engin checked the time on his phone: it was one minute to midnight.

Serkan noticed Engin and he tried to stop him because he knew what was about to happen... In fact, at midnight the three friends started wishing him a loudly happy birthday and singing to him the famous little song. All the people in the pub joined, making Serkan's face completely scarlet. He was not used anymore to all this attention.

Engin kept watching his phone, while they were finishing the last toasts for Serkan's birthday.

Serkan perfectly knew the reason.

- You have to wait about two hours to be the first one.

Serkan said to Engin, with a small smile on his lips.

- Hm... Yes, I... I think I will set the alarm... I... I'm tired so I think I will fall asleep as soon as I come back home.

- I think your body is tired to listen to your no-stop talking too, Engin!

Engin gave a slight punch on his arm, and they laughed making their conversation lighter, dissolving the tension. Engin put his phone aside, after setting his alarm.

The group of friends decided to take one last drink before coming back home.

Once out of the pub, Serkan asked his driver to kindly give a ride to all his friends, despite Efe and Ferit living in that block.

The last one to leave at home was Engin who opened the car door, looking at Serkan with his usual friendly smile.

- Happy birthday again, brother.

- Thank you Engin, I am grateful to have a friend like you. I know I don't deserve you either, but...

- Stop this nonsense! You keep telling yourself it, forgetting every time how big your heart is.

Engin nodded while still smiling and closed the car door.

Serkan waved his hand, greeting Engin one last time before the car started again. This time, his home was the only thing that was waiting for him.

And again, he was alone.

On the way home, Serkan thought about what Engin had said minutes before and maybe he was right, he forgot quite often he had a "big heart". It wasn't either a self-centered or a narcissistic thought, as it might seem. All he did, all the mess he lived day after day with, it was only for one purpose: to make happy people he loved. To keep them safe. And, above everything, to grant her the happiest life she did deserve.

Even if, the price was that he couldn't be a part of it.

But protecting her was more important, knowing that she was safe and happy was his priority, and making sure she could have a bright career was Serkan's only thought.

Protecting his family, his parents and his sister, was what mattered to him.

He tried to talk to his parents once, but it was hard not to be discovered and, mainly, it was too risky.

So he had to leave, living with the guilt of not being able to be clear with them and, mainly, with her from the beginning of these problems. Since the beginning of their problems.
He felt guilty about breaking one of the core rules of their relationship: sincerity. But he simply couldn't.
His big heart could do nothing but protect his family and her, lying to everyone just for their good. And he felt too guilty, sometimes he lost his breath while thinking about it.

The car stopped in front of his building and Serkan got out, cordially greeting his driver.

Entering the empty living room of his house, full of modern details and minimal furniture, Serkan made his way to his room.

He changed his clothes with his pijama, a pair of grey sweatpants and a white t-shirt, and brushed his teeth. Then he jumped on his bed, finally.

It was almost 1:30 am, so it meant Engin had another half-hour of plenty of sleep ahead of him before his alarm rang.

Serkan's mind kept thinking about it, denying himself to move his brain to her.

Time passed as his thoughts flowed one after another, trying to bypass the main thought, scared that she might somehow hear him.

Serkan turned his head to his phone: it was 2 am.

He stood up and reached the window: Dublin was silently sleeping and he looked up to the sky, watching as the stars filled the dark night. He had a tradition to carry on: his birthday wish.

He had not yet had a chance to express it as he liked, as they both liked: while looking at the stars.

He took a long breath after his wish was delivered to the stars. He felt his eyes heavy, a small tear running across his cheek. And his mind and heart flew back to her, the first and last thought of his every day.

But August 19th was a special day for her, too.

- Happy birthday to you too, Eda Yildiz.

Surprise, surprise! Eda and Serkan share the birthday! So... Happy birthday to them both!

Ps: I granted myself a small poetic license for the hours, don't mind me!

What will happen in the next chapter? Will Serkan's wish come true?
We will see it...

And always HANKER AŞK VAR! ♥️