Together Again

Chapter 6

The warm glow of their Paris memories lingered as Eda and Serkan settled into their daily routines back home. One evening, as they shared a quiet dinner at her cozy apartment, Serkan reached for her hand across the table. “Eda, I’ve got some news,” he began, his voice tinged with hesitation. “I need to go on a business trip for three weeks. It’s a critical project, and I can’t delegate it.”
Eda’s smile faltered for a moment before she forced it back into place. Inside, her heart sank. They had just returned from a blissful time together, and now he was leaving again. “I understand, Serkan. We’ll get through this,” she said, trying to sound reassuring. “We always do.”

Serkan’s gaze softened as he squeezed her hand, his thumb tracing gentle circles on her palm. “I’ll miss you every second,” he said tenderly. “But we’ll talk every day. And when I get back, we’ll start planning our next adventure.”

They spent the rest of the evening savoring each moment together, aware of the temporary separation looming ahead. On the day of his departure, Eda accompanied Serkan to the airport. As they stood together, hands intertwined, the reality of their parting weighed heavily on them.

“I wish you didn’t have to go,” Eda whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

Serkan wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. “I know, but it’s only for a few weeks. I’ll be back before you know it. Just keep busy, and I promise we’ll make up for every lost second.” He pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead before reluctantly pulling away.

As Serkan walked through the gate, Eda watched his figure disappear into the crowd, a hollow ache settling in her chest. She told herself it would pass, but a lingering unease clung to her as she turned and headed home.

A few days after Serkan left, Eda began to feel a faint discomfort that she initially brushed off as fatigue from work. But as the days wore on, her symptoms escalated from a mild headache to a raging fever, chills, and relentless fatigue. She spent most of her time in bed, her body heavy and her energy drained.
Despite her condition, she kept up with her daily texts to Serkan, trying her best not to worry him.

Serkan: Good morning, beautiful! How are you feeling today?

Eda: Just a bit under the weather, but I’ll be okay. How’s the project going?

Serkan: It’s going well, but I miss you like crazy. Make sure you’re taking care of yourself and resting.

Eda: I will. Can’t wait for you to come back.

But as her illness worsened, it became harder for Eda to reply. Each message felt like a monumental task, and she often fell asleep before she could even finish typing. Soon, her responses dwindled to sporadic, delayed replies, and Serkan’s worry grew with each unanswered message.

Serkan: Eda, are you there? Please text me back. I’m getting worried.

Eda: Sorry, Serkan. Just really tired. Talk later.

Her attempts to reassure him only deepened his concern, but with the project pressing on him, Serkan felt powerless to leave and be with her.

Eda’s condition took a severe turn, and she finally sought medical help. Her family and close friends rallied around her, but despite their efforts, she felt isolated, unable to communicate as much as she wanted to. She missed Serkan desperately, and the silence that grew between them felt heavier than any distance.
Days stretched into weeks, with Eda enduring long nights of fever and pain. Serkan’s calls and messages became a bittersweet reminder of how much she missed him. She wanted to tell him everything, to let him know how much she needed him, but every time she tried to write, exhaustion overcame her.

On his end, Serkan felt helpless, unable to be by her side. His project consumed his days, but worry gnawed at him with every moment of silence from Eda. He had asked her friends for updates, yet no one could give him the reassurance he longed for.

Three weeks later, Serkan finally returned home, his heart pounding with a mixture of excitement and worry. He went straight from the airport to Eda’s apartment, where her mother met him at the door, her face etched with relief. “Serkan, thank goodness you’re here,” she said softly. “She’s been so ill. She needs you.”

His heart felt as if it might break as he stepped into her bedroom. Eda lay on the bed, her face pale and fragile. She looked almost ghostly, a shadow of her usual self. The sight struck him deeply, and he hurried to her side, gently taking her hand in his own.

“Eda, my love, I’m here now,” he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. “I’m so sorry I couldn’t be with you sooner.”

Eda’s eyes fluttered open, her lips curving into a faint smile as she registered his presence. “Serkan, you’re back,” she murmured, her voice barely a whisper. “I missed you so much.”

His heart swelled with relief and love as he stroked her hair gently, vowing silently never to leave her like this again.

In the days that followed, Serkan devoted himself entirely to Eda’s care. He helped her with the smallest tasks, bringing her meals, ensuring she took her medication on time, and gently encouraging her to walk a few steps each day. Their love, once stretched by distance, found a new strength in the quiet, simple moments of care and companionship.
As her health gradually improved, they began to talk openly about the fears and loneliness they had endured. Their late-night conversations became a healing balm, reinforcing their bond and rekindling their dreams.

One evening, as they sat on the couch, Eda’s head resting on Serkan’s shoulder, he whispered, “I never want to be apart from you like that again.”

Eda nodded, her fingers interlaced with his. “Neither do I,” she replied softly. “But if we ever have to, I know we’ll get through it together.”

With each passing day, Eda grew stronger, and their future began to unfold with renewed purpose. Their experience had given them a deeper appreciation for each other, and a newfound determination to savor every moment.
They discussed their plans with excitement and a sense of urgency, no longer content to leave their dreams on hold. Eda’s brush with illness had shifted their perspective, reminding them of the fragility of life and the importance of living fully in the present.

As they embarked on this new chapter, Eda and Serkan knew that they could face any challenge together. They had come through one of the toughest tests of their love—not only intact but thriving. Holding each other close, they looked ahead with confidence, knowing that whatever lay before them, they would face it side by side, stronger and more deeply committed than ever.