Early Bird (Erkençi Kus)(Part 1)

76. I want you to talk to me

In Ankara, Leyla is sitting in the hotel lobby waiting for Emre to arrive. People from the seminar were trying to get a hold of him and she was assuring them over the phone that he would be there soon and she would relay the message.

Just as she hangs up on another call, Emre walks in with his bag in hand and she jumps up. "Mr Emre! Welcome!"

"Thank you Leyla," he nods and sits down in the chair opposite her.

"How was your flight?"

"Excellent, I made it in one piece." She nods, smiling. "And? How's it going? Have I missed a lot?"

"Not too much, but everything so far has been amazing. So much information and I just love it. I'll tell you everything in detail when we get back."

"Great, I can't wait," he nods and then checks the time. "I'm late."

"Don't worry. I told them that you're on your way. Did you forget to switch on your phone again after deboarding?"

"Oh! The phone!" Emre sighs and rolls his eyes, taking it out of his pocket. "I bought it today, the other one was uh...well...anyway, can you put it on charge for me? It's dead."

"Sure, I'll take care of it." Leyla puts the phone next to hers.

Emre clasps his hands in front of him, sitting forward. "Leyla, thank you for last night, by the way. I hope I wasn't too much of a nuisance."

She shakes her head. "No, it was a pleasure. It's all good, Mr Emre, it doesn't matter now, it's over." She looks around the lobby. "Are you hungry? We can get something fast?"

"I ate on the plane thanks Leyla. Did you remember - "

"To print out your speech notes?" she asks with a knowing smile. "How could I forget? You offend me Mr Emre." She takes out the notes from her handbag and hands it to him. "I made a few changes, though, I hope that's okay? Here, have a look."

"This looks awesome Leyla, thank you." He looks up at her. "What would I do without you?" She shrugs. "Shall we get to it then? I'll introduce you to a few important people before it starts."

"As you wish," Leyla nods.

"Bump me." He holds out his fist and she laughs, pressing her own fist to his. "Let's go," he chuckles and grabs his bag, standing up. Leyla gathers all her things as well as the phones and then glances around. When she is sure she has everything, they walk through the lobby to the theatre.

**

That evening, Mevkhibe is leaning her head back as she sits in the garden, sliced cucumber on her eyes, forehead and cheekbones.

"I'm home Mevkhibe!" Nihat calls from inside, closing the front door. He smiles happily, coming through to the back and then he stops, gasping and grabbing hold of the door leading outside. Good God! What is she doing?! He walks closer slowly, trying to see his wife's face under all the cucumber. "What are you doing?"

"What do you mean?" Mevkhibe asks, still leaned back. "I trying to achieve the kind of look you want from me."

"What look? I love you the way you are Mevkhibe." He sits down and then looks at her eagerly. "So Mevkhibe?" He smiles. "What is there to eat? I'm very hungry."

Mevkhibe removes one slice from her eye and the looks at him sideways. "Salad," she says simply and puts the slice in her mouth.

"Just salad?"

"Yes. It's very good for your skin, and it's healthy." She eats another piece. "Or perhaps you prefer the turmeric and yogurt method that woman told you about?" She glares at him then and says in a low voice, "Why don't we see which one works, shall we?" before eating another piece.