said.
“Really?”
“I’d like to thank you for the kind reference you wrote for my file.”
“What’s this all about?”
“I heard about your reference today.”
“Those are supposed to be strictly confidential.”
“Yes, of course. I only got the gist of it, but I know that you wrote some very positive things.”
“Who told you so?”
“The secretary general.”
“Unbelievable!”
“Macit, I’ll tell you all about it over lunch. However, I’d like to tell you right away that you will have to find someone to replace me for bridge on Sunday.”
“What on earth are you talking about, Tarık?”
“I won’t be in Ankara on Sunday.”
“I do hope that it is nothing serious.
Inşallah
, there is no death or sickness in the family?”
“No, no, thank God.”
“Sabiha will be most disappointed.”
Walking downstairs, the two colleagues continued their conversation.
“When Sabiha Hanım finds out where I’ll be, she will be very happy for me.”
Macit stopped suddenly and looked directly into Tarık’s face. “Are you telling me that you are getting married, by any chance?”
“I’m talking about an overseas position, Macit. I’ve just been appointed second secretary in Paris.”
“Oh, that!”
“You knew, then?”
“I knew it was under discussion. There was no question that you could cope with the job, but there was the language problem. This foreign minister asked me about your progress with French. I told him about your weekend lessons and the conversation practice with Sabiha.”
“Yes, he told me that too. He told me everything was fine and that I could improve my French when I got there.”
“I agree. You’re one of the ministry’s brightest young men, my friend. I am very happy for you, but the occupied area is dangerous.”
“Yes, of course. That’s why they prefer someone who is single.”
Macit put his hand on Tarık’s shoulder. “Congratulations,” he said. “I’m sure you’ll be very successful. Sabiha will be pleased, andsorry too. You know how she values your friendship. When are you off?”
“Apparently I’m to leave immediately. I had intended to visit my family in Malatya over the holiday, but it isn’t to be. I wonder when I’ll see them again. Needless to say, I must come and say good-bye to Sabiha Hanım. There may be a few things she would like me to take to her sister.”
Macit tried to conceal his surprise that Sabiha had told Tarık a secret she’d kept from everyone else in Ankara. “Come on. I am taking you to my favorite restaurant, Karpiç, for a farewell lunch.”
“Thank you, Macit,” said Tarık. The look of surprise on his face was beginning to turn to anxiety about the future, with a hint of pride.
Sabiha indeed had mixed feelings about Tarık’s posting. On the one hand, she was losing her close, trusted friend; on the other, she hoped that Tarık being in Paris would be advantageous for Selva. Should there be the need, Selva and her child could at least seek refuge in the embassy. Tarık would also be able to help Rafo too, if necessary. When they spoke about this during their good-byes, Macit was quick to point out that Tarık was going to Paris and Selva and her family were in Marseilles.
“Don’t worry about that,” Tarık said. “I am sure I will be able to communicate with them. I’ll telephone them as soon as I arrive in Paris.”
When Sabiha went into the kitchen to fetch the tea, Macit turned to Tarık with a word of warning. “Be careful, Tarık, this is very sensitive. Don’t get yourself into any trouble. You are a Turkish diplomat and your duties come first. You shouldn’t jeopardize your own position because of Selva and Rafo.”
Sabiha was in tears when Tarık left. “I’ll miss you, Tarık. I’m losing a very dear friend,” she said, her voice trembling.
“You’re not losing me at all.
Inşallah
, we’ll see each other again after my posting is over. If I can manage to speak French at
“Really?”
“I’d like to thank you for the kind reference you wrote for my file.”
“What’s this all about?”
“I heard about your reference today.”
“Those are supposed to be strictly confidential.”
“Yes, of course. I only got the gist of it, but I know that you wrote some very positive things.”
“Who told you so?”
“The secretary general.”
“Unbelievable!”
“Macit, I’ll tell you all about it over lunch. However, I’d like to tell you right away that you will have to find someone to replace me for bridge on Sunday.”
“What on earth are you talking about, Tarık?”
“I won’t be in Ankara on Sunday.”
“I do hope that it is nothing serious.
Inşallah
, there is no death or sickness in the family?”
“No, no, thank God.”
“Sabiha will be most disappointed.”
Walking downstairs, the two colleagues continued their conversation.
“When Sabiha Hanım finds out where I’ll be, she will be very happy for me.”
Macit stopped suddenly and looked directly into Tarık’s face. “Are you telling me that you are getting married, by any chance?”
“I’m talking about an overseas position, Macit. I’ve just been appointed second secretary in Paris.”
“Oh, that!”
“You knew, then?”
“I knew it was under discussion. There was no question that you could cope with the job, but there was the language problem. This foreign minister asked me about your progress with French. I told him about your weekend lessons and the conversation practice with Sabiha.”
“Yes, he told me that too. He told me everything was fine and that I could improve my French when I got there.”
“I agree. You’re one of the ministry’s brightest young men, my friend. I am very happy for you, but the occupied area is dangerous.”
“Yes, of course. That’s why they prefer someone who is single.”
Macit put his hand on Tarık’s shoulder. “Congratulations,” he said. “I’m sure you’ll be very successful. Sabiha will be pleased, andsorry too. You know how she values your friendship. When are you off?”
“Apparently I’m to leave immediately. I had intended to visit my family in Malatya over the holiday, but it isn’t to be. I wonder when I’ll see them again. Needless to say, I must come and say good-bye to Sabiha Hanım. There may be a few things she would like me to take to her sister.”
Macit tried to conceal his surprise that Sabiha had told Tarık a secret she’d kept from everyone else in Ankara. “Come on. I am taking you to my favorite restaurant, Karpiç, for a farewell lunch.”
“Thank you, Macit,” said Tarık. The look of surprise on his face was beginning to turn to anxiety about the future, with a hint of pride.
Sabiha indeed had mixed feelings about Tarık’s posting. On the one hand, she was losing her close, trusted friend; on the other, she hoped that Tarık being in Paris would be advantageous for Selva. Should there be the need, Selva and her child could at least seek refuge in the embassy. Tarık would also be able to help Rafo too, if necessary. When they spoke about this during their good-byes, Macit was quick to point out that Tarık was going to Paris and Selva and her family were in Marseilles.
“Don’t worry about that,” Tarık said. “I am sure I will be able to communicate with them. I’ll telephone them as soon as I arrive in Paris.”
When Sabiha went into the kitchen to fetch the tea, Macit turned to Tarık with a word of warning. “Be careful, Tarık, this is very sensitive. Don’t get yourself into any trouble. You are a Turkish diplomat and your duties come first. You shouldn’t jeopardize your own position because of Selva and Rafo.”
Sabiha was in tears when Tarık left. “I’ll miss you, Tarık. I’m losing a very dear friend,” she said, her voice trembling.
“You’re not losing me at all.
Inşallah
, we’ll see each other again after my posting is over. If I can manage to speak French at
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