Turbulence

Chapter 19

Eda looked through the window, which was giving her a good view at the hangars, where Serkan stood with Engin, Colonel Akbas, and a group of pilots and engineers, talking with them animatedly and smiling from ear to ear. She didn't even have to hear him to see how happy and excited he was to be back.

The door opened, and Ferit entered inside. Eda quickly turned toward him.

"Isn't it too early to bring Serkan back?" She asked, pointing with her head at the window. "It's been not even a month since he woke up from a coma. He still has to have his physical therapy and a lot of rest, none of which he can get here, and what about the security threat? Serkan was a target. Now, when he is allowed back, he will be in more danger than ever before. How could you..."

"Eda." Ferit cut her in a tone  of voice that made her instantly stop talking. "Are you aware I had no say in any of this?"

"But you signed the documents." She protested. "I saw your signature."

"You signed Serkan's examination, too. It was added to his papers just as my opinion and recommendations." Ferit looked at her intently.

Eda put her gaze down, wrapping her hands around her arms. The unmistakable feeling of uneasiness and fear for Serkan's life was back in a full swing. A short period of time Serkan spent at his parent's estate lessened her anxiety a bit as she knew he was safe there, but now, she was terrified again.

"Eda, I don't make any decisions here." Ferit spoke up in a softer tone, seeing the visible change in her demeanor. "It was Commander Uzun and Admiral Ozan, and I believe Serkan's father knows what is best for his son."

"But he also knows that he can't make decisions only with Serkan's good in mind." Eda whispered, feeling a rock crushing her chest, making it difficult for her to breathe. She glanced at the window. "He has to think about the mission, and now, he is in a tight spot."

"Yes, that is true. The program is in jeopardy, and we need Serkan to be able to continue with anything, especially now, when the new pilots came. But Serkan was presented with his options, he could refuse if he didn't want to do it." Ferit said, approaching Eda and looking with her through the window. "He's a grown-up man, he knows the risks, but no matter what, he would always choose his service. We can't force him to stay away from what has been his whole life."

"I know." Eda nodded, smiling sadly. "But I'm worried for his health. I don't want him to overdue himself."

"Serkan is strong." Ferit patted her on the back, trying to lift her spirit, while Eda wasn't tearing her gaze from Serkan's silhouette. "He's not back full-time, and he won't be flying. Besides, I don't think we have to baby him, but you are with him, you will know when he will be pushing himself too hard, so you will be able to see if he can do it or not. You are still his doctor, and you decide if he can go to work on a given day, or not."

"I know that too." Eda answered quietly, still watching Serkan, who went with the group of pilots to one of the open hangars and showed them something on the aircraft's side panel. Everybody listened to him, only Deniz, Efe, and the other new pilot, Major Osman, were keeping their distance, standing together away from the rest.

She was well aware of everything Feirt just said. She understood his point, Admiral's, Serkan's. She knew that they all had to work to keep the program alive, and they all pledged their lives to service, she did that, too. She knew Serkan's morals and ideals. She would never ask him to abandon his beliefs and the path he chose in his life. But even if she understood everything perfectly, she still could stop fearing for him.

* * *

Saying that the first week after Serkan's return to the base was hectic would be an understatement. It was hard, exhausting, and difficult for both of them, not only Serkan. Even if Eda was happy to have him back at the base, the time they could spend together seemed to shrink in comparision to whne when he was staying at home, and only she was at work.