Can Yaman International Presents: Leaving Him

Chapter 13: "No More Again's, Just Forever's"

At the end of Chapter 12:  On the day following Metin's wedding, Can was surprised to find a table for two set on the terrace. Sanem had arranged for Alba to have a little stay with her parents and Hüma had gone out with Emel. "Okay, what are we celebrating exactly?" asked Can suspiciously. "Sit down. Make yourself comfortable," instructed Sanem, arranging several plates of tantalizing dishes in front of him. "Did you prepare these?" asked Can. A little worried being acquainted with Sanem's poor cooking skills. "No, don't worry," she said with a laugh. "My Mom did." She sat down and for a long time, she locked her eyes right into Can's intense gaze. 

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"Can?" she began. "Can I ask you something?"

"Of course, you can, my Love. What is it?" he answered, reaching for her hand.

"Will you tell me what happened before you found me? I mean, you never spoke of that time. I was wondering if maybe you would like to share some of your feelings with me. 

Can was at a loss. He was definitely not expecting that kind of question. Moreover, he really didn't want to go back to that dark era of his life. He was like the living dead the whole time Sanem had disappeared. He didn't want to hide the truth to her either but felt it was important for her to know. So, reluctantly he told her how it had been hell on earth for him. Without a purpose. Without a reason to stay alive. She had given meaning to his very being. So had Alba's birth. He tried to keep his words measured and as neutral as possible, not to upset her too much. Nevertheless, Sanem sensed that Can was sparing her and would never fully admit the pain he had endured for eight long months. It made her even more resolute to bring her plan into action.

"I'm so sorry, Can. Really. It took me a long time to understand and accept the fact that your feelings for me match in every way my feelings for you. You are my soulmate and we belong together, whatever people may think or say," she admitted, never lowering her gaze from his face.

"Can, since I met you, I feel like such a better person. But I'm still myself more than ever. I used to be very afraid but now I feel braver than ever! I used to feel like a dull grain of dust, but with you I feel like a star, shining in the night sky, brighter than ever! After I met you, I bloomed like a flower and so did my ideas, my writing, my creativity. Can, until the end of my life, I do not want my eyes to apart from your eyes and my breath from yours," concluded Sanem, her heart beating like a thousand drums.

Can was silent. He was just smiling as he heard the confession of her love for him and what he meant for her. He was left speechless. Sanem was the only one to hold that power over him. There was no need to talk. She could read in his eyes that he felt exactly the same way. The two springs that were flowing side by side for such a long time had finally merged into a harmonious river. That day had finally come.

Sanem took a deep breath and closed her eyes, collecting her courage. "Can Divit, will you spend the rest of your life with me?" she asked in a firm voice. There was no hint of a doubt. She knew what she wanted.

His face must have shown some disappointment because she laughed at his expression. In a swift move, her left hand reached his face and the other one the pocket of his jeans to retrieve the velvet box she knew he had on him at all times. She held it for a while and eventually opened it. Can appeared to be not breathing. What was she doing, for God's sake?

Sanem took the moonstone ring between two fingers and asked solemnly, "Can Divit, will you marry me?"

A minute passed. Then two. Sanem was getting worried with Can's lack of reaction. Was it too bold for a woman to ask a man to marry her? Did she misread the signs? What was happening? For once her inner voice was silent, as expectant as Sanem was. Suddenly, without a word, Can stood up and so she did too. A second later, he let his joy explode, grabbing her by the waist, lifting her and twirling them together until they both felt giddy!