Another Kind Of Promise

Chapter Ten

      Can was right, they were so busy with Emine and her dancing that the first month of Tarkan being in Paris was gone before they knew it. Their daughter had all but devoted her life to ballet and was well on her way to making her dream come true.

      Sanem was always in awe of her little girl, her talent, her determination, and her drive. It reminded her of the way she used to feel about writing. But that urge to write had seemed to evaporate inside her. 

      Writing that first book had always been a dream of hers, but that was so many years ago she wasn't sure if she felt the same way. If she hadn't fell in love with Can, if he hadn't  left her for all those months, if she hadn't had her accident..... Things might have been different.

      She never liked looking back at that time in her life, it was just too painful. But there was still that scar on her face that wouldn't let her forget. 

      She recalled when Emine was about four years old, she was fascinated by the scar on her mommas face. That's when Sanem had to explain how she got the scar, but she never told her the reason why. Sanem hated to relive that day more than any day of her life. 

      Over the years the scar had faded, but it didn't disappear, and neither had the slight limp. But more than that, there was the way that Metin had tried to come between her and Can. But if Can ever wanted to rekindle that friendship with Metin, she would be more than willing to forgive and forget what he had done....or so she hoped.

      Between getting Emine back and forth to her rigorous dance classes and working part time at the agency, Sanem had little time to miss their first born son. It was the same with Tarkan, getting accustomed to his schedule and the tons of work assignments, left him very little time for missing his family.

      It was week four and the first night free of any homework. The first night he was able to think about anything other than his classes. 

      Tarkan stretched out on his bed, ready to enjoy a quiet and peaceful evening at home, when his friends came barging in. "Come on Tark, let's go out. We have been here a month and haven't seen any of the sights." They harped..

      " No guys, not tonight. I'm staying in and catching up on some sleep. Maybe this weekend." He told them. "I'm making a phone call home and ordering in some food, then I'm going to sleep."

      After a few minutes of trying to change his mind they gave up and hurried off to one of the local hotspots in town....anxious to have some fun.

      Tarkan checked the time before making the call home. He wanted to be sure that everyone would be home when he called, he had missed them more than he thought. 

      Can had just walked in the door when his phone rang. " Hello son, it's about time you called. You had your mother and I worried sick." Can blurted out, letting his emotions spill out. 

      " I'm sorry dad, I..I..I have been very busy, you know, trying to get into the swing of things here." Tarkan stammered, a bit shocked at the tone of his dads voice. " I haven't had a single minute since classes started. I'm sorry.....please don't be mad at me."

      Can took a deep breath, " Son, I was just worried, that's all. I'm not mad." He spoke, as he felt himself relax. Not hearing from Tarkan for a month had affected him more than he had let on, especially to Sanem.

      Even thought they had all agreed that they would let Tarkan call when he had time, Can wasn't about to tell Sanem that he had tried to call his son a couple of times over the past few weeks, only to be disappointed when he hadn't answered.

     " So, they have you pretty busy. Are you keeping up ok.?" Can asked. Tarkan sighed, " Busy isn't the word for it dad. I'm keeping up, but just barely. Don't worry about me, I not about to let a little hard work get in my way." He stated with confidence.

     Can smiled, " I didn't  think you would son. So how's everything else. You and the guys getting along ok?" He asked. Can knew better than anyone the adjustment it took to being away from home for the first time.

      " Yes dad, we are getting along fine. Although we hardly have time to even realize the other ones here, with all the work assignments and studies."  He answered. 

      Before they knew it, an hour had passed. Sanem had wanted to hear every detail of his life it seemed, but he didn't mind. He had missed their talks and all of her advice. Even talking to his little sister made him feel good he thought, as he listened to her chatter about, filling him in about her next dance recital.

      " Tarkan, my next dance recital is in six weeks. Please say you can come home for it. I don't like it when you're not in the audience. And, this is the best part, there will be a choreographer from the Istanbul Ballet Theater in attendance. He is looking for new talent, and I know he will be looking at me." Emine gushed with excitement.

      Emine had always been that typical little sister, the baby of the family. At times the most annoying person on earth, but probably the person he loved the most. She was spoiled and the perfect definition of the baby child. But he may have missed her most of all.

      " I'm sorry baby girl, but there's no way I will be able to be there. Have mom FaceTime me and I will watch from here. But I have no doubt that they will choose you for the theatre." He answered, wanting nothing more than to be there for her. 

      " Ok then, if you're sure you can't come." She mumbled. He hated to hear the disappointment in her voice, but there was nothing he could do about it. " Don't worry Emi, I will be at the next one, I promise. Now let me talk to dad again, and I love you squirt." Tarkan said, choking back the tears....

      He talked with his dad again before ending the call, " Dad I'm not sure how much I will be able to call. This is a lot tougher than I imagined. If I'm not in class, I'm in the library, but I will call again as soon a I can." He told him. Can understood, " Ok, but don't forget about you Tarkan. Go out and have some fun too. All work and no play makes for a boring person.....and you don't want to become a boring, overworked businessman." 

      Tarkan laughed, " I'm sure the guys would agree with you right now. They all went out for the night but I stayed in to call you. Funny huh, I think I've already become boring." 

      They said their goodbyes, but not before Can had made his son promise to call on a more regular basis. " Your mother and I expect a call from you at least once a week, even if it's just for a minute to let us know you're ok. And don't forget to go out and see the sights a little." His dad told him, as they ended the call.

      Tarkan agreed, but already had his doubts that he would hold true to his promise. Going out, drinking, partying, none of that had ever been his priority.... But he had promised his dad, and he never liked to disappoint him, so he would make a valant effort to go out and have fun...

      Who knows....maybe there was a chance of meeting a girl that felt the same way he did. He had always heard that there was a person made for everyone. 

      A someone that shared the same things in life....... I think they call it " your soulmate"  he thought.... Recalling his parents love story....