Together Again

Chapter 27

Three years into their life as parents, Eda and Serkan had settled into a comfortable rhythm, balancing work, family, and their shared dream of raising Leyla in a world of love and stability. But one morning, as Eda was preparing breakfast and Serkan was reading the morning news, a message popped up on Eda’s phone that would change everything.

It was an email from an art foundation in Rome—a place that had long held a special place in Eda’s heart. They were offering her an artist-in-residence position, one that would allow her to create freely and work with an international community of artists, sharing ideas and expanding her creative vision. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. But it meant leaving Istanbul—and her family—for at least six months.

Eda’s heart raced as she read the details. She hadn’t been actively searching for such an opportunity; this was entirely unexpected. Her art had always been her passion, but motherhood and her life with Serkan had become her world. And now, this opportunity tugged at her, reigniting dreams she’d put aside but never truly abandoned.

Serkan noticed the look on her face, the hint of excitement mixed with hesitation, and gently took her hand. “What is it, Eda?”

Eda handed him her phone, watching his expression as he scanned the email. His eyes flicked over the words, his brow furrowing, his fingers tightening around her hand. After a moment, he looked up, a faint smile touching his lips, though his eyes were searching.

“It’s incredible, Eda,” he said slowly. “They’re offering you a chance to follow your dream, to be part of something truly special.”

She nodded, swallowing the excitement bubbling up within her, a flood of memories surfacing—her years of dreaming, the art that had once been her entire life, and the love she had found with Serkan and Leyla that had changed everything.

“But it’s six months, Serkan. Six months away from you and Leyla. And Rome... it’s so far,” she murmured, doubt edging into her voice.

He took a deep breath, his thumb tracing gentle circles on her hand. “Eda, this is your dream. I know how much it means to you. And I also know how much you mean to Leyla and me. But we would never want to hold you back from something like this. If you want to go, we’ll support you.”

Eda’s eyes met his, searching for any hint of reluctance or fear. But all she saw was his unwavering love, his belief in her, and it strengthened her resolve.

The days leading up to her departure were filled with bittersweet moments. Eda was torn between excitement and guilt, but Serkan’s steady support and Leyla’s enthusiasm—though she only half-understood the adventure her mother was about to embark on—gave her the courage to move forward.

One evening, as they lay in bed, Serkan turned to her, brushing a stray curl from her face. “I’ll miss you, every day,” he whispered, his voice filled with a depth of emotion he rarely showed.

She smiled, her heart aching at the thought of leaving him. “I’ll miss you too. But I’ll be back before you know it. And when I come back… I’ll be the best version of myself, for both of you.”

He kissed her gently, holding her close as they lay together, savoring the quiet moments, both of them knowing how much this separation would challenge them.

In Rome, Eda was swept up in a whirlwind of creativity and inspiration. Her days were filled with painting, sketching, and exploring the ancient city, her heart alive with the thrill of rediscovering herself as an artist. She poured herself into her work, feeling a deep sense of fulfillment she hadn’t known she’d missed.

But in the quiet moments, as she walked the cobblestone streets or looked out at the sun setting over the Tiber River, her thoughts would drift back to Istanbul, to Serkan and Leyla. She missed their laughter, their shared moments, the warmth of their presence. She called them every night, and hearing Leyla’s voice, her little stories and giggles, grounded her, reminding her of the love waiting for her.

One night, as she lay alone in her apartment, the weight of the separation settled heavily on her. She picked up her journal, the one she’d brought to capture the journey, and wrote:

“It’s strange, this feeling of being torn between two worlds. I’m here, living my dream, but part of me is still back there with you and Leyla. It’s as if half of my heart stayed in Istanbul, with the family we built. But I’m doing this for all of us, for the dreams we each carry. I’ll come back stronger, better… and I’ll bring this part of myself back home with me.”

Back in Istanbul, Serkan threw himself into his work, finding solace in the structure of his projects. Leyla had grown accustomed to her mother’s absence, but she often asked when Eda would return, and each time, Serkan would smile and say, “Soon, my love.”

One afternoon, he took Leyla to the flower shop where Eda had spent so much of her time. They walked among the blooms, Leyla pointing out her mother’s favorites, her little voice full of innocence and love.

“Mommy loves roses, right, Daddy?”

He smiled, nodding. “Yes, she does. And she loves you, more than anything.”

Leyla grinned, her small hand reaching up to hold his. “I can’t wait until she’s home.”

The months passed, and Eda’s art blossomed in ways she’d never imagined. She poured her love for her family, her longing, and her joy into each piece, creating a collection that spoke to the journey she’d undertaken. Her final piece, a large canvas filled with swirling colors and textures, represented the harmony she’d found between her past, her dreams, and the love she carried with her.

At last, the day arrived for her to return. As her plane touched down in Istanbul, her heart raced with anticipation. She made her way through the bustling airport, her eyes searching the crowd, and then she saw them—Serkan, holding Leyla in his arms, both of them beaming, waiting to welcome her home.

The moment she reached them, Leyla threw her arms around her, and Serkan pulled her close, his eyes shining with pride and love. She felt a wave of relief wash over her, knowing that she was exactly where she was meant to be.

As they walked out of the airport together, Eda felt a deep sense of gratitude for the life they’d built. She had pursued her dreams, and yet here, with them, she had found her true home