Early Bird (Erkençi Kus)(Part 1)

52. Come to my office

Nihat and Mevkhibe wasted no time that morning. They started by getting Ihsan's name off their windows, changing the name back to 'Leyla's'.

"Look at it," Nihat smiles, standing back when he is done placing the name. He peels off the plastic while Melihat and Mevkhibe clap excitedly behind him. "So? How does it look?"

"It looks perfect."

"Almost." Melihat tilts her head and squints. "It looks a little lower on this side."

Nihat steps back and tilts his head the same way. "Which side?"

"The left side. I can see it from here."

"Where?"

"Oh come on Nihat, left!" She points to the left corner.

"Melihat, my husband is very precise, he wouldn't mess up the measurements. It's exactly the same as before. It's perfect my love."

Melihat looks from Mevkhibe to the sign again then shakes her head.  "Hold on, I'll double check." She walks up to the window and grabs the spirit level on the icebox. Measuring both sides and then humming she nods knowingly. "Here, see? Look. I'm right. The left side is lower by 1 millimeter."

Mevkhibe rolls her eyes. "What does it matter? What crazy person is going to do what you just did to figure it out anyway? It's fine. It's hardly visible."

"Mevkhibe, you can't just leave it. I mean, you asked me to help and I'm helping." Melihat lifts her hands. "If you know better then fine, I'll go if you want me to, even after I did this for you."

"You did help us, Melihat, thank you." Mevkhibe points to the salon. "Look you have customers waiting. Don't leave them alone. Go, make your day's money."

Melihat sighs and narrows her eyes at Mevkhibe, but then walks away, saying, "Fine I'm going! See you both later! And congratulations again!"

Mevkhibe waves at her. "Have fun perming!" She laughs quietly and then looks at Nihat, smiling widely. "It really is perfect my love."

He grins. "Mevkhibe?"

"Nihat?"

"Would you like to go inside?" She nods brightly. "Close your eyes." She does and he takes her hand, leading  her in. "Ta da!"

She opens her eyes and her smile fades slowly.

"Praise the Lord we're home!" Nihat laughs and excitedly rushes in to the other side.

Mevkhibe looks around at the bare store. There was only the minimum inside. No meat. No cheese. No milk. Just a few cans and a box or two.

"Yes," she sighs and winces. "Oh Nihat what did I do?" She hangs her shoulders. "Look at how empty it is. And we can't restock because I went and gave everything away for free. There's nothing. We don't have money for more. And that rascal didn't even fill up the shelves, because he's a swindler." She pouts and turns to Nihat. "I'm so sorry."

"Mevkhibe, don't. This isn't your fault. Don't worry, we'll fill it up in no time, and it'll be even better than before."

Mevkhibe gives him what looks like a smile but feels like a grimace. "You're sweet dear, but I started this mess, and I'm going to clean it up. You wait right here."

"Where are you going now?! Mevkhibe?!"

Mevkhibe keeps walking, ignoring her husband, on her way to the one person who might have an idea of how to sort this out.

She walks through Ayhan's frontgate minutes later, finding the girl taking photos of herself. Coming up behind her, she sees herself in the camera and Ayhan jumps, screaming when she sees her appearing there too.