Good night, everyone! :) I hope you like the new Paily story that I decided to start today. Just so you know, English is not my mother tongue, so I apologize for my mistakes in advance. On the other side, I didn't proof read it, so it's probable there are a lot of mistakes. I'm sorry about that too, but I need to sleep and I also wanted to publish the first chapter. xD On the other hand, I don't know when I will be able to publish the next chapter. I don't have a lot of free time and writing in English is really hard for me, so be patient, please. Don't be shy and let me know your feelings about this story. :) Enjoy! :D
IT'S NEVER TOO LATE
: Chapter 1: Istanbul Connection :
I am Emily Fields. I was born 29 years ago in Rosewood, a little town in Pennsylvania. I studied Architecture in UPenn, I had a good job, good friends, a girlfriend and a perfect life. Or so I thought. However, three months ago an event that I prefer not to remember turned my life upside down and l decided to leave my beloved town. That meant leaving my old job, my family and some of my friends to start a new life. My parents and my friend Aria didn't take my decision really well, but this is something I needed to do. A fresh start is something everybody should do at least once in their life. This makes you understand who you really are. Meeting different cultures, countries, traditions and people is a really enriching experience that I highly recommend. I was lost at the beginning, that's the true reason why I decided to enlist in this adventure. Leave behind that nervousness and just do it. That's what I did and I don't regret it for a second.
Spending so much time alone can be really good for your soul. Solitude is not always a bad thing, and that's something I've recently come to realize. Three month ago, I decided to pack and take a plane. Since that moment, I've been visiting different places: Germany, The Netherlands, Finland, Italy, Latvia, Greece and Turkey. I know, that's a lot of countries, but three months is a long time and I've been traveling alone, so I've been going to the places I wanted and nobody was there to tell me not to. All decisions were up to me. My parents were really worried about me when I told them that I needed to take a break and leave the country. I guess I will always be a little girl for them, that child that needed my parents for anything. I get it, though. They're my parents and even if they know I'm an adult now and that I can take care of myself, they will always be wondering if I'm okay. That's why they've been calling me almost every day since my little trip started. In the beginning I answered every call, but then I realized that it was too much, I felt too much pressure. I didn't want to be rude to them, so I decided to arrange a Skype meeting twice a week. In this way, they wouldn't spend so much money on phone bills and they would not only hear my voice, but they'd actually see me. Even if my mom wasn't really happy at the beginning, getting to see me every two days and realizing that her little girl was okay, meant the world to her. "Don't talk to strangers, don't go out at nights." Those were the two sentences that she kept saying every time she appeared on my tablet screen. I always laughed at that, but I also understand her worry. The other person that's been 'harassing' me is Spencer. I didn't expect less from her, 'cause she's been like my second mom since kindergarten. I'm not exaggerating, she has been that protective since the moment she was born. Her texts and calls on a daily basis was something that didn't surprise me at all. Hanna also has texted me almost every day, but her texts were more like 'How r u?' and not the usual 'Get your ass on a plane and face your life and problems' Spencer texts. Although my family and friends were a little bit tiresome, I got to enjoy every place I've been and it's been a really therapeutic experience.
I look at my watch, it's four in the afternoon. I still have 5 hours till my flight departure, so I decide to leave my luggage on the hotel and go for a walk. I fell in love with Istanbul the moment I first walked its streets, so I'm a little bit sad that I have to leave. This is the last city I'm visiting before going back to the States. Since I have a few hours before I have to take the flight, I want to seize those last hours to enjoy everything the city has to offer. I walk along the Bosphorus as the sun caresses my skin and I admire the splendorous buildings with the noisy traffic as my soundtrack. I put my sunglasses on and keep walking, but my zen moment fades away as my cellphone starts ringing. I don't want to keep walking and talking on the phone, so I look around and see that there's a cozy small café on the corner. The views from the terrace are amazing and I don't think there's a better way to say goodbye to the city. Besides, it's crowded, so this must mean it's a really good place to make a stop. I take a seat on the terrace outside the establishment and press the green button on my phone.
"Just a moment, mom," I add, when I see the waitress approaching me. "I'd like a Turkish coffee and baklava, please." The waitress nods at me with a grin on my face. The language has not been a problem in this country. They're so nice that they're willing to make an effort in order to understand and be understood when it comes to foreigners. That's other reason why I enjoyed so much my stay in this country: the kindness.
I can't believe this is going to be the last baklava I will be savoring. I am now a huge fan of these exquisite delicacy containing puff pastry, honey and pistachios or any other dried fruit. I have eaten a lot of them actually, and I don't think I'm the only foreigner that has enjoyed them so much.
"Hi to you too," my mom answers, obviously annoyed at my previous words.
"Hi, mom. I'm sorry, the waitress was waiting for me, so I had to… you know." I know my mom, so even if can't see her, I can imagine her face right now. "Are you frowning, mom?" I laugh when she goes silent. "I know you really well." I can hear her smile on the other side of the phone.
"How are you, Emmy?" She loves calling me Emmy, she used to call me like that when I was a child.
"I'm good, mom. Although I'm a little sad that I have to go back." The waitress serves my order and I nod at her with a friendly smile. I leave the money on top of the table and she leaves with a huge smile on her face.
"How can you say that?" My mom's voice is not friendly anymore. "You've been traveling alone for three months and you don't want to come home? What's wrong with you?" I pull my phone away from my ear so I don't go deaf because of my mom's yelling.
"I don't think there's nothing wrong with me. I'm happy, mom. Can't you understand that?" She doesn't say a word. I take a sip of the delicious coffee before my mom asks the next question. I knew she wouldn't stay silent for a long time.
"So, do you want us to pick you up at the airport?" I suddenly realize that I haven't spoken to my parents for a week, so they don't know anything about what happened these last seven days.
"Mom… ummm… I'm sorry I forgot to tell you…" She interrupts me when I start babbling. I suddenly start fearing her reaction.
"What the hell is going on, Emily?" The tone of her voice is not very friendly.
"I'm not going back to Pennsylvania. My flight is actually getting to JFK, mom. I'm staying with Spencer a few days before I find an apartment."
"Wow, wow, wow… Are you planning on living in New York? Why didn't you say anything?" I hear her sighing.
"Yes, I am. I'm really sorry I didn't say anything, mom. Everything happened so fast. I mean…" She interrupts me again, eager to know more about what is going on in my disastrous life.
"What is wrong with Rosewood? Is it because of her? By the way, she still sends flowers weekly. The house looks like the Amazon. We could start a botanic museum if she keeps sending those, you know." I didn't need to know that. I erased her from my memory. This is not helping.
"Reject them the next time they knock on the door carrying flowers," I add hurtfully. "I was offered a job, mom. That's why I'm moving there."
"Really?" She seems ecstatic now. "You're not joking, right?"
"I'm not joking, mom. Besides, it's a really good job, well paid and in a really good company," I say proudly.
"Oh, God, honey… I'm so proud of you! I mean, even if you're not going to live here." I laugh at her comment. She's the kind of mom that expects her daughter to live on the house next door for the rest of her life. "So… I guess you're going to work as an architect then. Am I right?"
"No, mom. I'm going to be a stripper. My artistic name will be Crystal. I hope you and dad come to my premiere" I joke, repressing a laughter.
"I can't believe I gave birth to such a stupid girl," my mom adds raising her voice. I know she's laughing deep inside. Besides, I maintain a sense of humor and I suppose that is a really good sign considering how my mood was exactly three months ago.
"Of course I'm going to work as an architect!" I exclaim. "I already told you it was a really well paid job in a good company. Although now that I think of that previous idea, I kinda like the rush of that kind of job," I joke again
"I'm really proud and happy for you. I really am, Crystal." A laughter escapes my mouth. I love when my mom tries to be funny, 'cause she wasn't really born with that gift. She's been getting better on that matter because of my dad and I. We are a family of pranksters and I really think my childhood was more fun because of that. Having a funny dad is awesome. "Just call me when you get here."
"Of course, mom. And I will arrange a trip to Rosewood. Or you could go visit me to the city. What do you say?"
"That would be great. I don't care where, but I need to see your pretty face, honey."
"I miss you too, mom. I need to go now, but I will call you tonight, okay?"
"I love you too, honey. Have a safe trip."
"Thanks, mom. I love you."
I end the call with a wide smile on my face. I take the last sip of the coffee and devour the baklava. "Delicious," I tell the waitress when she passes by my table. She says "thank you so much" and I leave the café as I wave at her. That was a really nice girl.
Now that my stomach is feeling less anxious because of that treat, I make my way to the hotel to get the luggage. I ask for a cab and head to Atatürk International Airport. I really enjoy the ride to the airport as the sun is hiding and the sky looks so beautiful with that orangey, redish shades. Once I get to the airport, I make my way to the check-in counter. I just need to get rid of this huge heavy luggage that I've been carrying and that I'm starting to despise because I've been burdening with it for so long time. I head towards the first big duty-free store that I see with my boarding ticket on my hand. I love getting lost in these stores. I feel like a child going to a theme park. It's the same feeling but with the difference of adding a few more years and money to the equation. I grab a few boxes of baklava and a few things more. I can barely carry all the boxes. Getting to the counter won't be as easy as I thought. I turn around with all the boxes on my arms and I suddenly feel bumping with something. A few boxes fall to the ground and I crouch down to get them. I see a pair of black boots and the owner of those boots bents down to gather my belongings. I raise my head to look at the mystery person and I stop breathing when I see the biggest brown eyes I've ever seen.
"I'm sorry," she adds with the sexiest voice I've ever heard. I can't even say a word. My body isn't reacting. The only thing I manage to do is flush like a teenager. By the time I realize, she isn't standing in front of me anymore. I stand up, trembling and trying not to cause another awkward moment, 'cause the storekeeper is looking at me like I'm some kind of alien. I pay for my valuable acquirements and look around the store nervously, but I don't see her. The man in front of me must think I'm a lunatic, I can see it in his eyes. 'I just saw a pretty girl, that's it. Doesn't he understand that?' I say goodbye and leave the store. There's a flight information screen right in front of me, so I walk there and I find the boarding gate for my flight. I look at my watch and realize that I don't have so much free time, so I decide to go find the gate. I still keep looking everywhere just in case the mystery woman is around. Sadly, airports are usually kind of huge, so she's obviously not around. I guess I won't see her anymore. This is really weird, I feel a void inside of me and I don't even know her. What the hell is going on with me? I just saw her eyes and her perfect nose. Is that really enough for me to drool over a stranger? I haven't been with anybody since Maya. I know that wasn't a long time ago, but I haven't feel anything, even the slightest attraction towards any girl. I mean, I appreciate beauty and I've seen a lot of cute girls, but that's something every person in the world does. We have eyes and we know when we see someone beautiful. This was different though.
My stomach starts growling, so I decide to go grab a sandwich and a bottle of water on a bar that's nearby. I devour it and make my way to the boarding gate. People are already queuing to board, so I decide to wait in line behind the last person in it. I leave the bags with the things I bought in the duty-free store on the floor and take the passport from my bag. I already have my passport and my boarding gate ready for the next step. I just need to be inside the plane and take off. I hate waiting. I'm not the only one that hates waiting at airports, the woman in front of me in the line is looking at the watch too.
My heart starts pounding when I realize that woman is the mystery woman that helped me with the boxes before. I tap on her shoulder, and I suddenly regret my decision when she turns around to look at me with those big brown perfect eyes. She's even prettier than I thought.
"I… ummm… I just… wanted… Thank you for helping me before." I finally get to finish the sentence, even though I sounded like an idiot.
She just nods at me. She doesn't say a word, not even a smile. Maybe she doesn't understand English. That's a possibility. Nevertheless she could have smiled. Anyway, she already turned around and is not looking at me anymore. I feel like a failure. 'Why does her opinion about me matter anyways?' I don't know her and I don't like feeling so vulnerable in front of a stranger. I take a deep breath and start analyzing her. She is tall, I guess we're the same height. She's wearing black leather trousers that fit her really well. The tight V neck white t-shirt adjusts perfectly to her upper body, showing her strong arms. Her hair looks really good even if she has it tied up in a messy topknot. And her smell… Well, I can smell her sweet perfume from the spot I'm standing, and it couldn't be sexier. My eyes can't stop staring at her perfect butt inside those tight leather trousers. Not everybody can rock those trousers, obviously she can. She suddenly turns around and frowns at me, like she knew I was having those thoughts about her. Even her frown is sexy. I guess my red cheeks are not improving the situation. I look to the other side, only to avoid her gaze, and I realize that the wall has a mirror finishing on the lower part of it. I see she's looking at me just by staring at the mirror/wall. I suddenly realize that she may have turned around because she saw me looking at her like a pervert. My flushing gets even bigger, and I decide to just look down at the floor and avoid more embarrassing moments.
A few minutes later, the girls from the boarding counter start asking for the passports and boarding tickets so we can get into the plane. Just before showing my documents, I pay attention at her passport. The passport is the same as mine. She obviously speaks English. I guess she didn't want to begin a conversation with the degenerate woman that was checking on and drooling over her.
Once inside the plane, I take my seat and I see that she's sitting a few rows ahead. I decide to forget about her and close my eyes. Sleeping in a long flight is the best way to get over with it. Besides, I don't want to think about anything, so sleeping is the best I can do.
I wake up five hours later. The huge coffee and big water bottle I drank before boarding may be the reason why I need to pee. I unfasten the safety belt and stand up to head to the bathroom. I walk along the narrow aisle with my eyes barely open. I'm still a bit dopey, I must look like a zombie. I don't realize that another person is coming from the other side of the aisle, until I hear her voice.
"Excuse me." I raise my head and I see the perfect woman in front of me. I just stand there, paralyzed by her beauty, unable to move a muscle.
"I'm sorry," I finally add. The aisle is so narrow that even if the both of us are skinny, we can't help but grazing each other. That contact makes me shudder like a teen. She, on the other hand, just keeps walking towards her seat like nothing had happened.
I exit the restroom and I return to my seat. I can't help but look at her. I realize that she's reading a book while the rest of the plane is sleeping. The fact that she's been reading since the minute she sat down makes her even more interesting and sexy. However, she seems rude, so I need to forget about her. My obsession over her doesn't make any sense. I don't know her, I'm not 15 years old, and I went through puberty a long time ago. I need to stop this bullshit.
When I leave the plane and go get my luggage, I look around, looking for her, but I don't see her. I guess this is the world trying to tell me she is not the one for me. Besides, I'm not looking for a love interest right now. I want to enjoy being single, and I don't need attachments. I just want to enjoy the city with my best friend Spencer and Hanna.
By the way, that event that made me leave the country and I didn't want to talk about? Her name is Maya and I really don't want to talk about that, so stop wondering what happened. The really important thing in this story is that Maya is not part of my life right now, and she will never be. I have other things on my mind right now.
To be continued…