Early Bird (Erkençi Kus)(Part 1)

43. Egging it on

Sanem, not caring what was said to her by whoever might see her, had left the office just after three o'clock, before anyone else, and decided to just go for a long walk. She liked walking, it helped her relax and clear her head.

By the time she wanted to go home, to her chagrin, the bus was running late and she was left to wait. She crossed her arms and stood to the side of the full stop. Her phone already died long ago so her mother must be going ballistic. She didn't really care though, her mood was too sour to.

Kicking at the sidewalk, and chewing on her nail, Sanem misses the dark grey double cab when it passes by.

Can does a double take over his shoulder when he sees Sanem on the bus stop, and reverses. He hasn't seen her since she left that room. Coming to a stop next to her on the curb, he looks at her across the console, leaning over. "Sanem." She ignores him, now looking up at the passing cars. "Sanem!"

She blinks and looks at him, seeing him there for the first time. How long has he been here?!

"Get in, I'll take you home."

"No, I'm good here," she shakes her head. "Have a nice evening."

"Sanem," he sighs. She looks at him again. He waves her in with a finger curl.

"I said I'm fine. Go do your own stuff, leave me here."

He nods as she looks away again. Then he grins. "Sanem, you can either get in or I'm getting out. Your choice."

Sanem glances around at the other people waiting. He knew he had her then. She starts for the car but stops right by the door. "My bus is here already."

Can checks the rearview mirror, and indeed there was a bus pulling up, but he wasn't taking no for an answer. He just looks at her, waiting and she huffs, rolling her eyes. He picks up the envelope on the seat, smiling a little as he moves it to the backseat so she can sit.

The ride, once again quiet, was quiet for a different reason this time. It was not uncomfortable but it was a little awkward. Sanem slid her eyes sideways to look at him as he drove. He slid his to hers and she would look away.

"Are you okay?" he asks after looking at her a second too long, turning back to the road.

"Fine, nothing's wrong." Sanem swallows. "Are we talking about work?"

"Yes?" he says hesitantly. She nods and purses her lips, looking ahead. "I asked if you're okay?" he repeats.

"And I said nothing is wrong, besides, I don't feel like talking about this."

"About what? Work?"

"Yes," Sanem looks at him. "That's what you're talking about right?"

Can shrugs. "It's related, I guess."

"Then I don't want to talk. Especially not if it's related."

Can nods silently and then looks at the passing cars. After a couple of minutes, he clears his throat. "Is there something else you'd like to talk about?"

"Like what?"

He frowns. He was breaking his own rules but it was too late. "I don't know, anything."

Sanem takes a moment. This caught her off guard. He's been cold or not willing to talk up until now. And now after the Zen Zone incident, he wants to talk? "No," she shakes her head.

Can glances over to see if she was serious but she wasn't looking at him. "Okay," he concedes, inhaling through his nose.

"Great."