My Turkish Heart

Chapter 22: The long haul

As Izzy tries to be polite towards the young man who introduced himself as Serkan. In the beginning she was not keen to speak to him since the incident at the airport, but he apologized and since has been having friendly chit chat. He was originally from Istanbul, but moved to New York to continue his studies in international relations.
"So what brings you back home?" Izzy asked him curiously.
"Annem( My mother)" he laughed lightheartedly.
"Whats so funny?"
"I came home because I haven't been back in years and she hates flying, so never visited me in New York either"
"Ahhh..how long has it been?"
"Hmm.. Maybe five years now"
"Has been a long time"
"It's not like we don't call or video chat almost every day"
He was clearly amused at the whole situation.
"You didn't miss her?"
"Ofcourse I did! It's just she's nagging me to get married and that's also why I came home to make her stop setting me up on blind dates"
"Setting you up on blind dates?? This is like a Turkish drama now" Izzy burst out laughing.
Serkan watched Izzy laugh and it was so infectious that he started laughing too.
"Can you please keep it down. We trying to rest!"
An elderly passenger infront of them asked. They looked at each other and put their hands infront of their mouth as they tried to surpress their laughter.
"So where are you off to?"
"I'm heading back home. To South Africa"
"Oh cool! To see your family?"
The mood suddenly changed as Izzy remembered the real reason of why she was going back. Serkan tried to read her mood, but waited for her to tell him instead.
"Yeah... My parents were in a car accident and my father is quite critical...." she lagged off without fully explaining.
He could tell that she felt very anxious and he put his hand on her shoulder and gave it a scrunch.
"It will be ok. Don't worry too much about it" he reassured her.
She smiled mildly at him then nodded in agreement. He wasn't such a bad guy after all, she thought to herself.
They chatted about different things until Izzy started feeling really sleepy.
"I'm sorry, I think I'm worn out now" she said as she yawned.
"It's ok, have some rest. I'll do some work"
She agreed then laid back in her seat and closed her eyes. It didn't take her long until she passed out in her seat. Serkan took out the complimentary blanket and covered her. She looked so peaceful when she was resting that he dared to stare at her a bit longer. As he continued his work, he was surprised when Izzy turned in her sleep and fell on his shoulder. He looked over at her and she was still fast asleep. He smiled at her then, finished his work and got some rest too.

When they got closer to their stopover location, Izzy woke up. She was still groggy, but jolted up when she realised that she was resting on Serkan's shoulder.
"Why didn't he wake me? When did I..?" she mumbled to herself.
Patting her hair down and taking out a wet wipe, to refresh her face. She felt a bit better after that rest. The last 48 hours she had so much on her mind that she tossed and turned in her sleep. After a short while, Serkan woke up and was a bit disappointed that Izzy wasn't still asleep on his shoulder.
"You're awake.."
"Yes, woke up not too long ago. Sorry about sleeping on your shoulder.." she said feeling embarrassed.
"Why you sorry? It's not everyday that I have a beautiful woman fall asleep on my shoulder"
He smirked at her then winked playfully. Izzy rolled her eyes at him for his pick up lines.
"You will definitely get slapped for your cheesy pick up lines one day" she mocked.
"I don't use them on everyone or anyone actually. Something drew me to you, so you're the lucky one to hear them"
"Oh gosh! What did I deserve for this to happen to me?" she teased.
He laughed aloud then scanned Izzy's features in detail.
"Stop staring at me! It's creepy!"
She pulled the blanket halfway up to her face.
"Sorry! Sorry! You just so naturally beautiful. It's hard not to stare"
Serkan's straightforward words made Izzy's cheeks heat up immediately as she tried to hide her embarrassment. Luckily for her the announcement to land at the stopover interrupted them.

As they disembarked the plane, Izzy was about to head to the bathroom to freshen up.
"Wait!"
Serkan called after her, as he wasn't satisfied with their parting.
"Yes?.." Izzy looked puzzled at him calling her.
He walked over to her and then stood in front of her.
"Can I come with you?"
Izzy was dumbfounded by his request.
"W-what do you mean?"
"I want to go back to SA with you"
"But why..? We barely know each other"
"I know! I know I should absolutely crazy, but..  I saw how anxious you were earlier about coming home. We don't know each other personally, but I'd like to be a friend for you in your  time of need"
Izzy looked at him perplexed by the whole situation. A stranger is wanting to come home with her just to be a friend to her, seemed a bit crazy and impulsive.
"I can verify my identity. Anything you want just ask me"
At this point Serkan was practically pleading Izzy to tag along.
"What about your work? You don't even have a ticket? You can't just leave everything and plan on the whim"
"I can work from anywhere in the world. I booked a ticket before asking you, sorry! And I don't mind some adventure in my life"
It was hard to say no at this point, but she knew it sounded crazy.
"I'll book my own accommodation and I'll only bother you from time to time. I swear. Scouts honour!"
He stood with like someone making a pledge. She knew this would sound so insane to anyone, but she felt his sincerity behind it all.
"Ok, fine!" she rolled her eyes then looked at him.
"Thank you!! I promise I won't bother you unnecessarily"
"What am I going to do with you Serkan Bey?"
They both laughed at this impulsive change of plan.

As long as Burak does not find out about this. He would be anything, but pleased... She thought.