Another Kind Of Promise

      The Friday night phone call from Tarkan that week was different from the ones before. He seemed preoccupied and in a rush. " Well son,  what are your plans for the evening and the weekend." Sanem asked. " We have your fathers birthday coming up in a couple of months, don't forget. I hope you will manage your studies so you can fly home for his birthday dinner." 

      Tarkan hesitated for a second, " I'll try mom, but don't be upset if I can't make it this year." He stammered, already dreading the idea of not seeing Alara for a few days. Since their first Saturday night at the club together they had only been apart long enough to go to class, and to sleep a few hours before meeting for breakfast. She was quickly becoming the most important part of his day.

      " Mom I have to go. I'm meeting some friends for dinner tonight and I don't want to be late. If dad is there let me speak to him for a minute before we hang up." He explained. Can took the phone, " Son, how are you. I'm glad to see you're getting out some and having fun. I just ask that you take care of your classes before anything." Can said. 

      " Yes, I know what you expect, you tell me the same thing each time we talk. I'm not a child, and I will do what I have to do. Like I told mom, I will talk to you later, I have plans for dinner tonight and I'm almost late." Tarkan huffed, frustration abounding from his voice.

     " Wait a minute son, there's no need to be so flippant. I am only reminding you to take care of your business." He answered with authority. 

      Tarkan took a deep breath, " Of course, sorry. I really need to go. I will talk to you next week." He replied quickly, clicking off the phone. Can stared at the phone in his hand, " He hung up. What's gotten into him, any other time he would have asked about the whole family and how things were going at the agency." Can mumbled, a bit confused.

     Tarkan grabbed his hoodie and started out the door, " Burak, I'm gone. I will be a Alara's for the weekend. But don't tell my parents if they call you wanting to know where I am.." he said, giving him a look of warning. 

      Burak nodded, " Sure, but you better be careful Tarkan, if you know what I mean." He remarked with a wink. 

      Tarkan hurried out, heading for Alara's flat. He stopped at the pizza shop on the corner and pickup a pizza for their dinner, then he grabbed a couple of pastries from the bakery next door. 

      A few minutes later he was knocking on the door of her flat, and waiting impatiently for her to open the door.  The door swung open and there she was. It was always such a sight to behold when he saw her. His heart skipped a beat, and a rush of heat traveled up his body...

      " Tarkan, hello. Good, you brought pizza, and I have the wine." ...She spoke softly, her eyes locked with his. He smiled, not quite sure what to say, " Yes, and pastries too." He stammered.

      She stepped back and motioned for him to come in. Tarkan walked in, looking around shyly. She had set a small coffee table in the middle of the floor and covered it with a flowered scarf. A place setting for two, and small vase with white daisies and two tall tapered candles adorned the table. Two very large pillows were placed on either side of the table for them to sit on. The rest of the room was illuminated with candles, scattered about the room, making it warm and cozy.

     Tarkan looked around in awe, " Alara, it looks beautiful in here. But what about... He started to ask, but Alara stepped up close to him. " Don't worry about Sophie, she went home to for the weekend." She said interrupting him. 

      Sanem was still thinking about the phone call from Tarkan when Can came in from his run. "Can I'm worried about Tarkan. He didn't seem himself tonight." She said. Can reached for her pulling her next to him, " Honey we have to realize he's a man now. He's on his own, we are probably not the most important thing in his life now." He spoke softly, trying to calm her fears.

      Sanem sighed heavily, " But Can, he has never acted this way before. You don't think he's on drugs do you?" She asked, her voice in a panic. She grabbed him around the neck, as if she was holding on for dear life. 

     Can knew how scared she was, so he didn't want to make light of it. " No my love, I don't think he's on drugs. He is merely experiencing independence. Tarkan is smart, has a good head on his shoulders, and most of all he loves his family,....so let him grow up." He urged, as he held her tight.

      He felt her relax in his arms, " You think so. Did you go through that too when you were away at school." She asked. Can smiled, " Oh yes, that and more. So let's not worry about him. Let him enjoy this time of his life." 

      She stretched up on her tiptoes to kiss him on the neck, " Ok. That's why I love you so much. You make everything ok..... you just make me feel better." She moaned, snuggling up against his chest. He had always been her sanctuary, her safe place, her voice of reason.

      Can welcomed this feeling. " Well I know something that might make you feel even better, not bragging or anything, but you have told me before that I worked magic when you are down." He muttered, as he guided her toward their bedroom.

      Sanem giggled, " You may be right. You do work magic, but Emi will be home shortly...and she's bringing a couple of friends home with her. So...... a rain check?" Sanem whispered.

      Can stopped in the doorway of their bedroom, " Really?" He took a deep breath, "Ok, but just be warned, I will collect all those rain checks." He joked, kissing her on the forehead.           

      Tarkan watched Alara as she placed their food on the plates. Her movements were as magical as the atmosphere she had created in the room. " Tarkan, can you open the wine please. I forgot the glasses, be right back."  Her voice quivering slightly from nerves.

      He followed her with his eyes as she went to the kitchen. He wasn't quite sure what was going to happen on this night. He had only been with one girl in his life, and that experience hadn't been what either of them had expected. So he hoped that being a couple of years older might make the difference. 

      All he knew for sure was, he had never felt this way before. His heart felt like a time bomb inside his chest, ticking..ticking..ticking....anticipating that moment of explosion....He even had to remind himself to breath, as he fidgeted with the cork on the wine bottle... " Ok, just come clean with her.....tell her you have only been with one girl".....

       Alara leaned against the cabinet, trying to steady herself.  " What are you doing.... You don't even know the first thing to do.... And this is Tarkan Divit...the guy that turns every woman's head in Paris... He has probably had more women than you can count"......  She thought as she reached for the glasses...

       She took a deep breath..... " Alara...I think you're out of your league here"....