Sudden decisions

22 - Everything is decided

Sanem

"Caaan???..."
I suddenly find myself clutched in his arms as his whispering in my ear causes shivers of excitement down my spine despite being well aware that my parents are watching us.
"Shhh, this is not the time to contradict me Sanem.
You don't want to disappoint your parents?"

Allah Allah what is he up to? More importantly, what is he doing to me?
His proximity makes me lose all semblance of reasoning, it is enough for him to touch me to become a non-sentient being.

He pulls back and chains his gaze to mine. He looks at me in a way that transports me elsewhere, into a space that is only ours and where I lose track of who I am and what I want. I know I should protest and oppose this, but I feel that I am completely helpless when he is near me and looks at me in this way.
I can't put a name to all the emotions that are swirling around in my soul, I am excited, confused, agitated, discombobulated, dazed, but I know that I have to oppose what he has just said. I catch my breath to speak when my father's voice stops me.

"Can Divit, we don't know you much, but I can tell from what you are saying that you care so much about our erkenci kuş.
Tradition dictates that 40 days must elapse from the request for the bride's hand to the wedding, but I understand that you are impatient to be united in marriage, and if my Mevkibe also agrees, it is not a problem for me to anticipate the time.

Even I, who at this point should be the one to rebel against this surreal situation, turn like everyone else at the table towards my mother who smiles nodding her head touched.

"Guys, two weeks is really a short time to prepare a ceremony as I have always imagined it for my daughters, but if this is what you both want I can only agree to speed up the preparations."

I am speechless, not only have I found myself practically engaged to Can overnight, but within two weeks I will even be his wife. I turn to look at him and what I see reflected in his eyes confuses me even more.
He looks happy and satisfied with this absurd situation we've gotten ourselves into and I don't know what to think anymore. However, I have no time to react in any way because the sudden ringing of the doorbell prevents any of my protests. Leyla gets up to go and open it while I can't take my eyes off Can's who keeps smiling in that way that ... Allah Allah that smile.

I shake off these inappropriate thoughts hearing my best friend's voice coming from the corridor, I jump up to run towards her. I have missed her enormously but my burst of enthusiasm towards her also has an ulterior motive. I hold her in my arms on the kitchen French window almost shouting for the benefit of everyone else.
"Ayhan, welcome back. I missed you so much"-
As I hug her warmly my intent is to whisper softly in her ear, "I'll explain to you later what absurd situation I've gotten myself into."
She looks at me questioningly as I loosen my embrace and realise that she is not alone, behind her I see Osman also enter the kitchen.
I open my eyes wide, well aware that the situation can turn into a real catastrophe and confirmation of this is Can's tense expression at the sight of the man he believes to be my secret boyfriend.

"Ayhan, Osman please come in and have a seat. Leyla go and prepare the tea please'.
My mother warmly welcomes our friends who, since being orphaned by both parents, have become an integral part of our family.

I return to sit stiffly in my seat after arranging a chair for Ayhan next to me, her gaze still seeming amazed to find Can at our table as Osman looks alternately at me and him clearly worried by the stiffness of my expression.

My father's voice comes to break a silence that seems more tense with each passing moment.
"Leyla, leave the tea alone, I believe this evening should be celebrated properly, bring the raki bottle and glasses for everyone."