Sudden decisions

19 - She

Can

"Yes, it's that ring Huma. As you have already been told by Emre, Sanem is my fiancée and I will soon go and officially ask her family for her hand in marriage. I therefore think it is more than fair that I have the ring Grandma Semiha gave me for my bride-to-be."

I cast a defiant glance at my mother then at Polen to discourage any comments from her as well. I didn't want her to witness this, I don't want to hurt her, but she shouldn't have followed me here to Istanbul as if she didn't understand what I went to tell her no more than yesterday by joining her in London.

I fix my gaze on Sanem and catch an expression I have never seen before on her face, she looks at me rapt, as if focused on studying every detail of my face or just unable to accept the meaning and importance of what I have just said.

"Tebrikler, congratulations Mr Divit, I wish you all the best on your upcoming engagement."

Fabri's friendly and festive voice clashes with the serious faces of everyone in the room, apart from him it seems none of those present took our bonding well.

"Yeah, tebrikler, congratulations Can" It is Polen, in an icy tone, who repeats Fabri's words thus drawing his attention to himself. "The young lady is?"

An unreal silence in the room greets his question, I am about to answer when it is Polen herself who speaks. "I am Polen Aydiz, Can's ex-girlfriend, nice to meet you."

Fabri looks surprised, he probably now understands the reason for the tension that has reigned in the room until now. He turns a quizzical look towards me, who must try to pull myself out of this absurd situation.

"We've remained on very good terms, we've been friends forever and she came by to see me to congratulate us. Now if we want to go Mr Fabri'.
I beckon him towards the door once more.
"At 3pm I have another appointment, we'd better move now if we want to talk about the timing of the campaign. You come too Sanem, you will join me during this meeting to start emphasising the creative aspect of your internship, I am sure you will have a lot to learn from this meeting'.

Deren tries to protest, "But, Can..."

I give her a warning look which she seems to understand instantly truncating her grievances. She has to change her attitude, beyond whether Sanem is my girlfriend or not, I don't like Deren's way of dealing with the agency staff.

Still holding Sanem's hand I leave my office without giving Huma or Polen a glance. They are not welcome and I want to make it clear how I feel. I don't know why Polen has decided to come all the way here, what her real motivation is, but I don't want her to embarrass Sanem in any way as she seems well intentioned to do.

The meeting turns out to be fruitful, as I was sure it would. Having overcome the initial embarrassment, Sanem was able to make an important contribution to the meeting with witty questions and very brilliant suggestions. I came to realise that she is unique and special in everything she does.

After the meeting with Fabri was over, we left the meeting room smiling, both satisfied with the work done. There is finally a relaxed atmosphere between us and there is no doubt that we work really well together.
"I think I'd better go back to the printing shop Can, the prints will probably be ready soon.
Deren, who is right behind us at the door of the meeting room, quickly intervenes. "Yes Sanem, go to the printing shop and bring back the prints as soon as they are ready."
"I'll accompany you...".
"Caaaan, have you forgotten the meeting with Serversaz? You definitely have to be there this time, we just can't find a meeting point with the CEO on the location for shooting the commercial."

Sanem nods, casting a glance towards Deren and then towards me, then heads down the corridor without adding anything else. I watch her leave with regret, it's amazing how this girl has been able to focus all my attention and thoughts on her from the first moment I met her. I would like to have her around all the time, I would never want to detach myself from her, I find it hard to believe myself that she has become so essential to me in such a short time.