MEMORIES....SOME LAST A LIFETIME

Chapter Fifteen

All the details for the promotional tour came in an email, with all the events and coverage planned, it had taken on the characteristics of a major entertainment gala. Every advertising avenue had been used, and the most important promotional outlets had been booked. She was in awe of what they had developed in such a short time.  She packed her everyday and lounging clothes, but all other clothes, such as evening gowns and business attire for the interviews and booking signings would be there waiting for her when she arrived. She took a day and went to visit her mom and dad before she was to leave. Mom showered her with her favorite food, and the whole neighborhood came to wish her well.  The tears that fell were those of joy as they watched their little girl embark on the journey of her dreams.

The goodbyes at the coffee shop turned out to be a blubbering mess. All the regulars came to say goodbye and good luck.  She laughed a said, " You know I'm not gone forever, just for a month or so. " Maya cried, wiping her tears she said, " I know,  but you won't be back her to work, you're a famous author that's going to travel the world, right."  Sanem hugged everyone, promising to be back to visit.  Her plane was leaving the next day,  was she ready to start her new life. A part of her was clinging to that amber stone necklace, praying for it to reunite her with her true love,  the other part knew it would never happen. So move on, rise again from the ashes and conquer.  

The last updates on the Womanart file were done and the notes to Emre and Deren had been filed..Aicha made her almost daily trip to the agency, humiliating herself with a display of a broken heart that Can was leaving, begging him to take her with him... Can assured her that their company's account would be in good hands. Can politely ignored the attention she lavish on him, knowing they couldn't afford to lose their most important account..He still harbored ill feeling towards her for the fiasco at the club.  His plane went out the next day so he left early to gather his things.  Leila knew that Sanem had left that day flying to Marseille, but hadn't mentioned it to Can. The less known the better she thought, let their lives move on...

He always opted on traveling light, he could always buy what he needed when he got there. Just the basics stuff.  He would close up the house so Mihriban didn't have to worry about it.  As he was going through his nightstand looking for the extra phone charger, he came across a scarf. "What is this,  a pink and white bandana scarf ,  It's definitely not mine."  Can's heart stutters a bit, " It's Sanem, this is her bandana."  He holds it in his hand and the feeling of  relief crept over him.  He automatically stuffs it in his travel bag.  For some reason it had lighten his heart, he knew the meaning of it had to be significant. He went about taking care of what had to be done....his mind consumed with the pink and white bandana in his bag....

As he makes his way to the airport the next morning, his mood is lighter, and more optimistic.   The bandana worries him, being in the bag, he needed to feel it, so he takes it out of the bag before he puts the bag in the over head, sticking it in his pocket.  He settles in for the long flight.  Knowing the scarf is there, he feels like it had traveled with him before.  He lets his mind wander,  where had he been with this scarf.  He takes it out of his pocket, holds it, touches it,  and on instinct he puts it to his nose. He closed his eyes, there it was, a slight smell of her. That smell he knows,  but yet doesn't .  Wherever had been with this scarf, he knew it had helped him through a tough time. He smiled and tucked the bandana back into his pocket,  it meant something, and he was going to find out what...

" This city is beautiful, " she exclaimed.  " I still can't believe I'm here."  Her  assistant also spoke Turkish , so her fear of the language problem was solved.... She a young woman, probably 32 or 33. Very detailed and efficient,  her name was Suna .  She whisked Sanem away in a taxi, on their way to  the hotel.  Talking nonstop, giving Sanem the itinerary for the next day. Sanem chuckled, she already had the entire trip copied in her mind, but she would let her do her job.  The city was large and dynamic,  her head turned from side to side, trying to catch everything.  They arrived at an elaborate hotel, something you might see in a brochure,  it took her breath.  Wow,  she would have to call Leila as soon as she got settled in.  Her rooms were spectacular,  and food already there waiting for her.  She was famished. Suna gave her all the details on paper so she  wouldn't forget, giving her instructions to get some rest and the car would pick her up at 10:00am.   And then she was gone. Leaving her phone number in case she needed anything.

Wow, that was quite the performance, she thought.....

Tired and hungry, she changed into her PJ's and fixed a plate. She called Leila, filling her in on the fabulous hotel and all the food....finally she could relax. Well, I'm here, she thought, the first step to moving on.  She missed sharing her joy with him, it had been a long time since she had.        It seemed their happiness was either preceded by problem, or caused a problem.  They had so wanted to be together, supporting each other, but something or someone always got in their way......In a way their love story was the reason for them both to move on...

He once asked her if she believed in fate,  " Yes, " she answered.  The answer is still " Yes" 

Can is waiting for a connecting flight, sitting there with a multitude of flashes flooding his mind.    There was these awful tasting raw meat cutlets, so hot they were almost impossible to eat. She was smiling,  so beautiful and sweet. Telling him how she made these just for him, but they where terrible....he smiled...

Her phone pinged:  A text from Can...........Wow it's been a while she thought, holding her breath as she read his message...

" Sanem, sorry to bother you, but did you make me some awful tasting raw meat cutlets once? "