Can Yaman International Presents: Leaving Him

Epilogue.

At the end of Chapter 13:  Everything was so different this year. So much had changed in twelve months! Sanem's eyes went around the room: Leyla and Emre, the newlyweds, looked so happy together. Hüma was caught in a passionate discussion with Mevkıbe about the couple's future children. Can was taking pictures and a delightful thought crossed Sanem's mind. Soon she would be his wife. A wide beatific grin appeared on her face when she noticed Nihat glancing at her with a puzzled expression. Sanem quickly composed herself because the engagement was still a secret, but not for long. She had made a promise to Can and the time had come.

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September was back and it was time to celebrate Alba's first birthday. Naturally the Aydıns had insisted to host the party. Emre and Leyla would be there, along with Osman and Ayhan. Hüma had also been invited. Everybody was smiling and laughing. Alba was the star of the day, passing from arms to arms, with a clear preference for Grandpa Nihat's. Can and Sanem helped their daughter to blow the candle on the beautiful pink and white cake.

Everything was so different this year. So much had changed in twelve months! Sanem's eyes went around the room: Leyla and Emre, the newly-weds, still in their bubble, looked so happy together; Hüma was caught in a passionate discussion with Mevkıbe about the couple's future children; Can was taking pictures ... and a delightful thought crossed her mind. Soon she would be his wife ... A wide beatific grin lit up her face. She noticed Nihat glancing at her with a puzzled expression. Sanem quickly composed herself because the engagement was still a secret... but not for long. She had made a promise to Can and the time had come.

The cake was quickly devoured and Mevkıbe offered for everyone to go sit down in the living room for a nice cup of coffee. As she was tidying up the table, she put Sanem in charge of the drinks. She asked everybody what they wanted and made her way towards the stairs as the kitchen was on the ground floor.

"Oh, Sanem?" began Can, "I've changed my mind. I don't want tea. I want coffee if you please."

"Black or with sugar?" she asked, surprised by his request. Can had never quite been the coffee amateur.

"No sugar, no ... but salt would do quite well."

Sanem stopped dead. She couldn't believe what she had just heard. She turned around and saw that everybody was smiling at her. She noticed the accomplice's glance between Can and her Dad. They were all in on it. Now they were all laughing at her dumbfounded expression and her lack of reaction. Leyla took pity on her poor sister and cast a look full of reproach to the members of her family.

"Come on, sis. I'll help you with the coffee," Leyla said guiding Sanem by the arm. They silently climbed down the stairs and entered the kitchen.

"You knew?" started Sanem with a trembling voice.

"Yes, Sanem. I've known for some time now. Can wanted it to be a surprise. He wanted to do things properly," she confessed. "Sanem. Sis. Please don't cry," she said rubbing her sibling's shoulder in sign of comfort. "Come on. Let's do this!"

Sanem didn't know whether she was crying or laughing or both at the same time. Can knew that traditions were important for the Aydın and for her. Everything had been done so far regardless of traditions, but now at least the rules of engagement would be respected. Sanem often wondered what she had done to deserve such a thoughtful and caring man. Suddenly everything made perfect sense! That was why he had insisted that she should wear a red dress and that it was a good idea for them to go over to her parents' house for Alba's birthday.

"Well done," intervened her inner voice. "You are still so naïve." The flowers and the box of chocolates. All the signs were there and she had not been able to put one and one together. "Ah, Sanem, Ah," she whispered under her breath. Some things would never change.