The first sunshine - EdSer OS
Years pass, seasons change, life takes drastic turns but we never stop living, until and unless we decide to end our lives. But that's not the only solution, isn't it? If people started ended their lives due to pain then this world would have ended long ago. The human race would have vanished by now. Life never stops. People might leave, but the breathing doesn't halt until and unless the universe decides one day. Even death is a weird thing, there are people who want to live a few more years or even days only to spend more time with their loved ones but destiny is unkind to them. On the other hand, some wish and pray diligently for death to embrace them so they can avoid the harshness of life but it never happens. We don't always get what we want and that's something two people, once in love, had accepted, and moved on in their lives. Or did they?
Is moving on that easy?
Especially when you carry each other's soul in your own.
.....................................
The last thing she wished for was to come back. Five years ago, Eda Yildiz had promised herself to never look back. She vowed to never step foot in Istanbul. The thought of even breathing the same air was stifling for her. But when did we ever fulfill all promises? It is all about broken promises at the end of the day. It was ironic that she could not stick to a single promise in her life, and it was, therefore, she had to be in Istanbul after five whole years.
Eda looked outside her plane's window staring into nothingness, wondering absolutely nothing. Her heart was filled with tantalizing fervors playing with nerves.
If only.
If only she could skip this. If only she had the choice to avoid coming back here. But life never gives us choice. If it was the case, she would not have taken the terrible decision. If a choice was given she would not have been living the past five years in fear, and despair.
She was unsure how long would it take to resolve the matter back in Istanbul, otherwise she would have left her child back in Italy but staying away from her even for a week was totally out of question.
Her child. Yes! Her only daughter.
The apple of her eye. The reason her heart continued to beat after all this time. The reason she had managed to come up this far in life without stumbling. The reason she managed to never look back and live with a smile on her face.
Her child, her and Serkan's daughter.
Five years ago, when their relationship ended leaving no chance of reconciliation, Eda never thought that she won't be leaving Serkan for real because she was meant to carry a part of his, with her all her life. But she was grateful. She was more than ever grateful for it and the fact that it was Serkan's blood made her even happier.
Eda turned to her sleeping princess and tucked her securely in the warm blanket. Just like father. Throwing away the blanket in sleep was perhaps a Bolat thing among many others that Eda Yildiz had to tolerate!
.....................................
It wasn't a bright sunny day, to begin with, maybe that's why there were fewer people in the park than before. In reality, Serkan thought that unlike him, they preferred to laze around in the bed with their loved ones. Sundays are meant to be a family affair instead of going for a boring walk because your doctor asked to.
He was so lost, staring into oblivion that he did not notice a 5-year-old running towards him until he was taken aback by her tiny arms circling his neck as she settled in his lap, and cried breathlessly, 'Baba.'
Serkan was mystified, to say the least. The little girl had secured her arms around him and buried her face in his neck. Her dark brown eyes stared in his green orbs, begging for help. Except for Engin's son, Serkan barely interacted with kids but this girl was the most adorable one he had ever come across.
'Ne Yapiyorsun!' He exclaimed in frenzy, unable to comprehend the reason for this sudden flight in his lap.
The girl narrowed her eyes and let out a feeble cry that for sure was real enough to fool anybody but him. 'Baba, these kids are hitting me.' She said and hugged him again as a bunch of two boys and three girls, approximately around 10-12 of age, stood on their heads glaring at the little girl.
'She threw away our ball on the other side of the road.' They gritted in anger
'Yeah! that's because you were hitting that poor dog and not listening to me.' She gritted her teeth and looked at them as if ready to kill them. Serkan's frown hadn't faded and neither was the grip of those delicate arms around his neck. He couldn't tell whether she was actually scared or not.
Hell! She was a good actor if she wasn't!
He plastered a grave look on his face and clenched his jaw. There was no way he wasn't helping out this one. 'Leave her alone. I don't want to see you around anymore.'
The girl pinched him on arm and mumbled in a tone that mighty Serkan Bolat wasn't used to hear anymore. 'Ask them not to hit the dogs or any animals for that matter.' She was threatening him! Yes! A five-year-old with her puny voice, and big round eyes were threatening Serkan Bolat! God knows why he gave up because he did stand up and warned the children to not do that anymore. His raised finger, while the other arm held the little girl, was scary enough for them to not mess with this father-daughter duo anymore.
As they ran from there without listening another word or two, Serkan squirmed his eyebrows and smirked at the little rabbit in his arms. 'So, where were you at fault?'
'I am never at fault.' She raised her chin with pride and pecked Serkan on the cheek. 'You are not a bad actor, I thought they won't buy it.' She seemed to have a habit of pouting her lips off and on. Serkan couldn't help but notice the mirth in her eyes with an ample amount of slyness that shone like a star.
As the rabbit complimented him well with a sweet gesture, he did not know that all this time hearing a compliment from a five-year-old was the only thing he needed in life.
'I'm honored to pass your test.' he couldn't help but smile, the little rabbit was way too mature for her age.
'Where are your parents?' He asked gently
'Anne is off to work, and nanny is right there with her friends. She asked not to disturb.' Serkan sensed a trail of sadness as she mentioned the word friend.
'And what about your friends?'
'They all are in Italy. Anne said we can't go back before she winds up her work.' Her eyes weren't glistening anymore and it irked Serkan for weird reasons. He felt an unexplainable impulse to make her smile like before even if he had to turn the world upside down for it.
'I can be your friend if you want.' He offered with a kind smile on his face.
The girl twitched her face and began to think impishly, 'I'm five but not a fool. Anne said strangers aren't friends.'
'But your Anne told you to run in arms of strangers and call them Baba?'
'Tamam Tamam, If you insist. I'll be your friend but only because you helped me.' So she made it about herself!!!!! Serkan couldn't believe his ears. He has had few interactions with Engin's son and his friends and they all have been mischievous but this one was surely something else.
Before Serkan could ask her name, her nanny shouted from afar, waving her hand to tell its time to go back home. The little bunny as Serkan felt like calling her left hurriedly, placing one final kiss on his cheek. 'Gule Gule Arkadas' She giggled and for the first time in years, Serkan felt something in his heart. Something that wasn't unfamiliar but obliterated.
.....................................
'Serkan Bey, you have a visitor. She refused to tell her name, says you know her.' The young assistant informed Serkan while he was absorbed in his laptop screen, working on an important tender that had to be tackled by tonight. She would have dismissed her if it was someone else but Serkan knew very well, who this unnamed visitor was. He immediately raised from his seat to get her in by himself.
'I didn't know I was having visitors today!' He called as his bunny ran into his arms as if they hadn't met for ages. He placed a kiss on her cheek and delicately brushed away the loose curls falling on her beautiful face.
'Who told you about my office?' Serkan exclaimed as he guided her to the meeting room not letting go of her from his arms even for a second.
'I wrote it down that day and asked our driver to drop me here.' She showed him the piece of parchment that had Art Life written over it. Serkan had told her about the name of his company and she must've scribbled it down.
'Your mom knows?' Serkan raised his eyebrow suspiciously knowing that this kid had a habit of hiding things from her mother.
'Would it matter if she doesn't?' She bit her lip and looked at him pleadingly to not dismiss her already.
'Bunny' Serkan looked at her admonishingly.
'She knows I'm out to meet my friend.'
'And did you tell her where was this meeting taking place?'
'Tamam, I will leave.' Serkan couldn't help but control his chuckle the way she dramatically raised her hands in the air, ready to leave his office immediately.
'Offff Drama Queen! I didn't mean that. Baby, you can't roam around Istanbul just like that.'
'I can do whatever I want to.' She replied, crossing her arms with a defiant look adorned on her face.
He had started wondering by now that how does her mother deal with this stubborn ball of sunshine. But then it hit him that just like his mother did. Needless to say, Serkan couldn't help but admit that this little ray of sunshine did remind him of his childhood version. Not all the time tho, at times she would say things that he had heard from someone he loved. For instance, his little friend had an insane obsession with flowers. She probably knew more about them than anyone else (minus the person he knew once)
That day in the park when he was about to pluck one she gave him one handful lecture on how flowers had feelings and he would've hurt this one. But apart from these little things, her stubbornness, the way she managed to make her point and argue successfully making him fall short on words was indeed a skill that only Serkan Bolat possessed.
'Hadi gel, we're going shopping.' She ordered plainly.
'Shopping?' Serkan questioned stupidly with a frown.
'It's an activity where....' She had begun to explain but Serkan instantly clicked his tongue feigning annoyance.
'I know what it is but why, where, and did you tell your mother?'
'I have to buy a present for parents' day and shushh we can't tell Anne about it.'
'And why do you think I'm going to accompany you.' He looked at her with a side glance squinting his eyes in suspicion.
'Because I'm your friend and you have no choice.'
'Hadi Hadi, we don't have much time. Mom would be returning soon. Your car or my car?'
She ranted as they made their way out and Serkan laughed at himself. He really didn't stand a chance in front of her. He nodded while following her behind, completely forgetting about the pile of work that awaited him. Serkan talked to the driver, and asked him to stay back, and checked in with her nanny, who had thankfully accompanied her. Serkan was amazed at the way this little girl has wrapped all employees around her finger. No wonder, her mother was unaware of her shenanigans outside the home. Selfishly, he wanted to spend this time with her alone so he asked both, the driver and nanny to stay at his office as he will be back pretty soon.
.....
'Strawberry shake or vanilla shake?' Serkan asked as he held her in his arms, standing in the food court.
'Vanilla! I'm allergic to strawberries' she replied
Serkan's smiled disappeared the moment he heard it. Every single day he found something about her that reminded him of himself. Though he shrugged it away, his heart was scared for the attachment that had gone far too much, and he knew this won't end well.
'I've heard strawberries are good for health but Anne says I can die if I have one. I was 3 when nanny made me eat strawberry ice cream. Anne was devastated when she carried me to the hospital. She thought I won't survive.' Serkan lovingly placed a hand on her head, knowing how crazy these allergies could get.
The glorious day ended well as they rode back to art life in Serkan's car. He was amazed that for a five-year-old she had saved enough money to buy a small present for her parents. It wasn't much but he was in awe.
'So, when is this parent's day?' He asked
'Two weeks later! I have to write a letter for baba too.' She exclaimed and Serkan could tell this parent's day meant a lot to her.
'A letter? But why' Serkan asked unable to help to hide his amazement. In his opinion, a gift should be enough for a parent especially in times like today when letters and handwritten notes do not matter.
'To tell him that I miss him. Anne says, he's working in another city. He loves me a lot but cannot come to meet us. I write him letters so when he comes back I can give it to him.' It wasn't hard to sense the sorrow in her words. She was so sure of her father's love for her but simultaneously Serkan could tell she was scared that he would never come.
'Have you ever seen him?' Serkan knew it was wrong to ask but he could not help it.
'Hayır, Anne says he'll surprise me when he returns back!
It wasn't hard for Serkan to decipher that she didn't have a father and her mother was lying. But why lie if he's dead? Or maybe he isn't? There was no place far enough to stop a father from seeing his child. He lovingly looked at his little princess and a wave of emotions swept through his heart. He felt his eyes getting moist but instantly he changed the subject.
'Looks like someone loves surprises!'
'Eveeettttt!'
As they reached Art Life, Bunny's driver was already waiting for her.
'Looks like your mum has called for you.'
'Don't worry, we aren't late, she won't be mad.' Serkan hugged her tightly. He could never understand that every single time he had to say goodbye to her, it was difficult for him. His insides would churn up and he felt like asking her to stay. Even the thought of asking her mother to let her spend a day with him was stupid but he wished that was possible.
'You're squeezing me!' His little bunny complained in annoyance.
'Özürdelerim canım benim.'
'Are we going to meet tomorrow?; She asked one last time before leaving with her nanny who was patiently waiting for her.
'Tabi canım , görüşürüz.' And she left waving him goodbye, and Serkan remained on his knees until the car wasn't out of sight. One day there won't be a tomorrow, and you won't be seeing her Serkan Bolat. What would you do then?
He didn't have an answer to that and right now he did not want to answer it. Perhaps the shadows of grimness would find him eventually.
.....................................
'You're late.' She crossed her arms as turned away her beautiful face from Serkan.
'I swear work caught me in the last moment.' He held his ear with one hand while the other was still holding a teddy bear but she shooed it away indignantly.
'Mom says the same.' Serkan pulled another stuffed toy from his back but his little bunny wasn't having any of it today. 'I hate stuff toys.' She grimaced and distanced herself from Serkan who was about to hug her this time.
'Tamam, tell me what do you love? I'll get it for you!' He asked excitedly. All this time, she hadn't asked her for anything except for making him go shopping.
'We are flying back to Italy. The day after tomorrow.' Serkan felt his world has stopped spinning the moment he heard her say that. It had been two weeks since they were constantly meeting each other in this park. For hours Serkan used to talk to his little bunny, listening to her stories, her favorite things, her secrets that she never shared with her mom, and so much more. And this all happened without knowing each other's names. Yes, it was crazy indeed. She still believed that he was a stranger and as per her mother's instructions, 'We don't tell our names to strangers.' It was hilarious because in the past few weeks she had told Serkan everything except for her name. Well, he didn't mind that. He was totally okay with calling her his bunny.
The fact that his bunny wasn't going to stay in Istanbul for long wasn't oblivious to him but wasn't it so soon!
'Already?' Serkan reckoned, unable to hide the worry on his face.
Bunny nodded sadly and placed both her hands on her chin. 'I asked mum to let me stay for few more weeks but she said it's not safe. We have to leave.'
'Will you forget me?' She asked him with brimmed eyes.
'Hey hey hey, never. How can I ever forget you? You are the best thing ever happened to me!' Serkan held her face in his big hands and wiped the tears with both thumbs.
'I don't want to leave.' She sobbed relentlessly, and Serkan felt that something inside him had died.
He had once again gotten used to innocence, warmth. He was foolish. He should have understood that love isn't for people like him. He should have understood that the universe hadn't written such things for him. They all were meant to knock at his door and leave forever with a void in his heart. Bunny had surely filled that void but now.....He could already feel the pain that her absence would inflict on his soul.
'We don't always get what we want bunny.' He placed a kiss on the back of her head while a tear escaped his eye.
'Mum says the same.'
'Tamam, no more tears. Let's meet your mum tomorrow. I've got to thank her for you and in the meantime, I'll ask her for your address in Italy. Not that I can't fly back there to meet my princess!'
She shrieked with happiness and began to jump in excitement. 'Forreal? Is that possible?'
'Anything is possible, my love' Serkan pinched her nose and placed another kiss on her forehead.
'You are forgiven but don't get late next time. I'll ask Anne to come with me to the park.!'
'What about these toys?'
'Told you, I hate stuffed toys, legos would be fine.' She shrugged carelessly, and waved him one last time, and left an amused Serkan behind, who couldn't help being amazed at himself for asking a woman about her address only to meet her daughter. This was insane. This was absolutely bizarre. And the last time he did something bizarre and insane was five years ago, for someone he loved immensely. Despite his promise to never fell in love, here he was, in love with his bunny, who had stolen his heart from the moment she called him baba.
......................................
He had put extra attention to his attire this morning as if he was meeting some international delegate for a meeting. Well, for sure he was going for a meeting but this one wasn't professional. In his head, Serkan had planned to convince Bunny's mother to allow him to meet her once they leave for Italy. Even the very idea of it sounded bizarre, he doesn't remember being this jubilant for a child's company before. He was waiting outside the park entrance, wanting to escort both mother and daughter to a nearby cafe.
The main road was deserted except for a bicycle or two. Not much time had passed, and a white Mercedes halted on the opposite side of the road. Serkan recognized it. Plastering a huge smile on his face he waited for his guests to come out of the car. Little did he know that smile wasn't to last for long.
Followed by Serkan's little princess, a familiar figure escorted out of the car, wearing a short mint green dress, her dead straight hair riding behind her petite back, and those dark black shades hiding her face along with the bangs. Serkan's heart stopped.
Not even in a million years, he could not recognize that face.
It was her. Eda Yildiz.
After five years, they were standing across each other just like that. He could tell from the way she was struck to see him that she hadn't expected to see him there. Her kid was hovering over her to cross the road to meet her friend but Eda Yildiz had lost her consciousness. She could not believe that destiny had decided to place her back exactly where they ended everything.
Eda was so consumed in her thoughts that she didn't notice her daughter had removed her hand from her palm, and rushed towards Serkan, crossing the road in a frenzy. Instantly, they broke their eye contact and shrieked, 'NOOOOO', as a car raced into their daughter and she was rolled on the other side of the road.
Their daughter, Yes that's was the first thought.
Within a span of fewer than four minutes, Eda met Serkan, and her daughter was lying in a pool of blood.
In that one moment, Serkan that lost his entire existence. For the first time in his life, he felt that he was defeated and ironically by the woman he loved with his whole heart. They ran towards their lifeless child, and Serkan was quick to hold her in his arms. He didn't give Eda a chance to argue but to be honest she was not in the state to have one. Serkan sat in his car with Eda on his side, holding her baby.
I'll never forgive you for this Eda Yildiz. I'll never forgive you.
Eda's cries broke his trance and he was brought back to reality, the gruesome reality. He couldn't even wrap his head around the fact that he was the father of a beautiful five-year-old, the same five-year-old he had been meeting in the park over the few weeks, and now when he got to know, she was there, lying in her mother's lap drenched in blood. Serkan needed no proof or statement from Eda to know that his bunny was his child. He knew. He just knew.
That particular moment marked the beginning of Serkan's fatherhood. Putting your child before you. Serkan instantly forgot about his own pain and the betrayal and rushed to the hospital. He only had one thing on his mind, I have to save my daughter.
Eda continued to rub Maya's hands, yelping and begging her to open her eyes. Her beautiful dress was soaked in blood, she had especially worn that one because that was her friend's favorite color. Eda hadn't seen this much blood in her life, not even when she gave birth. They spent the gruesome journey to the hospital crying and praying to God to save their daughter.
Serkan halted the car at the hospital gate and turned around the car to take his daughter from Eda's arms and rushed inside, screaming for help. Gladly, the paramedics were alert and to Eda's relief, her daughter's treatment would start immediately.
They were shivering and crying silently. Serkan leaned against the window as he ran his hand in his hair. He always wanted to have a child with Eda, having a daughter who looked exactly like her mother was his dream but he never wished that it would happen like this. How was he going to survive knowing that the moment he got to know about his daughter was when she got hit by a car and was on the verge of losing her life?
A nurse came with a form and asked Serkan the most painful question.. A question that made him wish for his own death. 'What is the patient's name? Are you family?' Serkan stared at her cluelessly, his lips quivered unable to form a sentence. The nurse looked at his miserable state and felt the need to excuse herself thinking that maybe he was in intense shock to fulfill the formalities.
On the other hand, Eda could not think about anything else. Serkan knowing about their daughter was the least of her worries at the moment, and all she cared about was her daughter's life. She wanted her to recover, she wanted to see her smile and laugh at her like she always did. She wanted her daughter to be stubborn and annoy her with her antics. She just wanted her back.
Eda and Serkan rushed to the lady doctor as she came out removing her mask. 'I'm sorry Serkan Bey, it doesn't look. She has lost a lot of blood....." She paused as Eda let out a silent cry, suppressing her sobs with a hand on her mouth. "Which one of your blood matches with her? We need a blood donor instantly."
(Continued)