Ayaz POV
Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport- Gate 1
 I'm parked outside Gate 1, waiting for my friend Emir. Honestly, this isn’t really my thing, but what can I do? I’m his only friend.
 I’m leaning against the right side of my black 2018 Jeep Wrangler, arms crossed over my chest, facing the terminal doors. The sunglasses make it hard to spot people clearly, but I know once I see someone walk out of the automatic sliding doors wearing above-the-knee shorts, a plain red V-neck shirt, and Sperry Top-Siders, it’s Emir. That’s his signature “arrival” outfit — he’s worn the exact same thing the last two times I picked him up from a trip abroad.
 While scanning the crowd, I notice a cute Asian girl coming from the same direction I’m watching. She’s dressed in a maroon jumpsuit and a white fitted long-sleeve top, with a beige headscarf covering her hair. Even from a distance, she stands out — her presence is effortlessly charming.
 Though I consider myself a gentleman, I hold back from offering to help her with her luggage — I’m trying to stay under the radar. No one can know I’m back in Turkey after successfully completing my twelve-month military service. Maintaining a low profile isn’t easy, especially since I’m one of the top-paid actors in the country.
 Still, I can’t take my eyes off her. She’s about five meters away and seems to be waiting for a ride — maybe a hotel shuttle. She must be a tourist.
 As I continue watching her, I suddenly hear someone call my name from Gate 1. No doubt, it’s Emir.
 I turn to look, and just as I imagined, there he is — same outfit, same grin, as if he’s got a dirty joke ready.
 He walks toward me, waving, and we hug.
 The first thing he says is, “So, how was life in the camp? No bang-bang for months?”
 I just smile like I didn’t catch the innuendo and respond, “Just like old times. You haven’t changed — still a pervert. Not every man is like you, Emir.”
 We both laugh like teenagers sharing a secret.
 He tosses his bag into the back seat while I get into the driver’s side. That’s when I notice — the Asian girl is gone. I didn’t even get her name.
 Emir, true to form, doesn’t stop talking. I know he’s going to keep pressing me about life in the military. And to be honest, the memories are still vivid.
 It was a meaningful experience. Despite being in a mandatory duty that stripped us of everything familiar — the food, the routine, the clothes, and especially our privacy — I managed to pull through.
 Inside the military, none of my outside fame mattered. We all started from the bottom. The values of equality, brotherhood, patriotism, and service to the nation came first.
 Outside the military, I carry a triple identity — a doctor by profession, a passionate photographer, and a successful actor by sheer luck.
 Joining the military humbled me — something I think I’d forgotten after becoming a celebrity.
 Fortunately, my background in medicine proved incredibly valuable. During crises, I was able to use my knowledge and skills to help patients. It tested me, pushed me, and reminded me of my purpose.
 Maybe I needed this — to be locked into this duty and pulled away from my toxic, camera-driven life. Who would’ve thought I’d go through with it? I could’ve pulled strings and applied for an exemption. But maybe this was a calling. And honestly, I loved it.
 Serving my country has been one of the most meaningful chapters of my life. No fame, no fortune, could ever replace that feeling.
 Part of me hopes Emir will one day consider military service. Maybe it would give him a new perspective, a fresh sense of purpose — and finally get him to stop living like a playboy.
 Sometimes I wonder why I didn’t drag him into it. I would’ve loved to see him go through the same rollercoaster of experiences — it would’ve been unforgettable.
 Let’s see where his playboy ways and stubborn attitude will take him. If he had joined me, I doubt he would’ve lasted a single day in the military. He’d probably give up the moment he realized he couldn’t spend a day without a girl by his side. Most likely, he’d try to cut deals with anyone he could think of, hoping to make military life easier — or worse, pull some strings to get out early without being noticed.
 But then again, who knows? Everyone has the capacity for change. Sometimes, all it takes is one defining experience to turn things around.
 I’m not saying I’m better than him — we’re just two very different people who happened to become best friends, even more like brothers.
 Yes, we’ve been best friends for nearly half our lives. Back in our teenage years, he was the bully and I was the one getting picked on. He wasn’t exactly the smartest guy, while I was the academic type. He was Mr. Popular, and I was practically invisible.
 We couldn’t have been more different, but we found friendship because we needed each other to survive the chaos of high school.