Traveller Manifesto
42. Turkey - Today

Turkey – Today.

Osborne had never been so nervous.

Every man had his limitations.

He just wasn’t good at this!

The rest of his men, including the staff from the base, had all departed for their richly deserved R&R. While some had opted to take the time to travel to other tourist hotspots in Turkey, most opted to stay in Kusadasi and paint the town red. He had made a courtesy call to the local Police commander to advise that his team would be there for the next week.

Just in case.

It looked to be quite a time as partners and wives would also be in attendance. Now the mission was over, they were sure to let their hair down.

But that was not the real issue at hand.

The small, black kitten mewed plaintively and looked up with an endearing, blue-eyed stare. The blue bow tied around its neck had been accepted meekly and now it scarpered around the top of his desk in high-tailed exuberance.

This one didn’t look like it was about to die on him.

At least, he hoped it didn’t.

He heard the helicopter settle and the engine turn off. His pilot would be alone.

Waiting in his office, the new Lieutenant Colonel and fearless commander of the Byzantium Traveller Project stood nervously, then scooped the small kitten into his hand and gently placed it into the bottom draw of his desk. To make sure it would be content, he had placed a cushion in the draw and often shut it in there with enough of a gap that it could not escape. On occasion, a small paw protruded from the gap but, as if accepting its fate, the bundle of fuzz simply gazed out to freedom silently. It then turned to its pillow, curled into a ball and, after the excitement of the top of the desk, settled into a nap.

He heard footsteps. Her footsteps. His heart beat like a drum. Going into battle was nothing compared to this. He would never chicken out, but it was tempting.

Major Nuray Kartal strode into his office. She looked wide-eyed, for the base, normally a hive of activity, was empty but for a few guards.

“Everyone gone?” she asked.

“Everyone,” he nodded and he strode up to her and then leaned forward to give her a peck on the cheek. She smiled and moved in close for a hug and then turned her mouth to his. Their kiss was deeper and longer than he expected, which settled his nerves only a little.

“Whew,” she smiled as they parted. “And in the new Colonel’s office too!”

He smiled nervously and then held up a finger. “One moment,” he gasped as he reached for a piece of paper in his breast pocket. He looked at Nuray’s pretty, round face with her habitual frown. With a sigh, he sank to one knee.

He gave a small cough and read:

“From the beginning of my life

I have been looking for your face

but today I have seen it

Today I have seen

the charm, the beauty,

the unfathomable grace

of the face

that I was looking for.”

He coughed gently, embarrassed to the core, but in true SAS fashion, continued …

“I am bewildered by the magnificence

of your beauty

and wish to see you

with a hundred eyes

My heart has burned with passion

and has searched forever

for this wondrous beauty

that I now behold

Your fragrant breath

like the morning breeze

has come to the stillness of the garden

You have breathed new life into me

I have become your sunshine

and also your shadow

He looked up at her and her eyes were wide, her hands held to her heart.

He looked back to his note, nervously looked up again and, knowing his ears glowed red in his utter embarrassment, decided to continue.

Your eff … effulgence

has lit a fire in my heart

and you have made radiant

for me

the earth and sky

My arrow of love

has arrived at the target

I am in the house of mercy

and my heart

is a place of prayer”

He gave another awkward cough and then stood.

Rumi,” she gasped. “Oh how did you know that I so love the poetry of Rumi?”

He went to explain his rationale, but she embraced him, her face on his chest, and then hungrily kissed him. This kiss was deeper, more fervent than anything he had ever experienced.

Finally, they broke from their kiss and she hugged him close, her head level with his chin. She gave a small sniff, as if she was crying.

“Oh Tony. Oh how I love you,” she gasped quietly. “With Rumi, you capture my heart forever!”

There was a faint mewl of complaint from his desk. He had almost forgotten.

But the kitten would have to wait.