Early Bird (Erkenci Kus)(Part 2)

24. How do you know you're in love?

"Well done, Osman," Mevkhibe walks up to him as he and Ayhan helps them clear up the last of the chairs. "You won't forget us when you're famous now will you?" She pats his cheek.

Osman smiles shyly and shakes his head.

"How can he, Mevkhibe?" Nihat walks up behind her, putting his arm around his teary eyed wife. "Besides, Osman won't be famous after one commercial. Right?"

"Exactly, uncle Nihat," Osman nods.

"Oh my boy," Mevkhibe pinches his cheeks and kisses each. Ayhan watches with a sad smile. She wishes their parents could see him. "My boy is a star. Just look at you."

"I love you aunt Mevkhibe but this is making me a bit uncomfortable," Osman admits after she kisses him again. "I'm not a star, I'm a butcher." He points at his butcher shop and shrugs.

"Oh no, dear, you have quite a few fans. Look, photos, signatures," Mevkhibe points at the young girls still hanging around. "Girls, why don't you go on home now." She chuckles and sighs when they all pout at the same time. "Alright, quickly!" She beckons them over and Osman's eyes widen.

"Look at you, big brother. A king, I tell you, you're a king!" Ayhan lightly punches his shoulder. "A celebrity." He scoffs but then laughs as he's surrounded by the girls all talking at the same time and his smile falters.

Leyla laughs quietly when he looks at her, feeling disoriented as he signs from all sides.

"Leyla?" Leyla looks at her father. "Honey, stay here please? I'll help your mother take this home and come back. Okay?"

"Okay, daddy." Leyla smiles and nods at him. Leyla moves closer to the small group and leans into Osman's side. "Osman, you did great, really."

"Thank you Leyla," Osman nods and gives the girl whose napkin he was signing her napkin back.

"I didn't know you were so talented. You never told me. You had no trouble at all."

"When you don't look, you won't see, Leyla," Osman shrugs. "But thanks."

Ayhan was oddly impressed by how well her brother was handling Leyla. She was practically fawning and he didn't even blink. Wow, that's new. The tables have turned.

"Well, congratulations again." Leyla looks at him and then swallows, smiling at the girls a bit let down by his dismissive attitude. "I'll be in the store." He nods and she turns around.

Osman stares after her, immediately feeling bad for how he treated her. He sighs inwardly and then returns to the girls, doing his best not to look at Leyla inside.

**

Can pushes the coffee plunger down slowly, then pulls it up again, adding more water, his jaw clenching and unclenching. He picks up his stones and turns, coming face to face with Sanem. He turns back around and puts down the stones, picking up the coffee pot instead.

Sanem walks to his side at the counter and leans both hands on it. "Is this what you want then?" He looks up at the yard, frowning. "To not look at me, to pretend I'm not here?"

Can pushes his tongue into his cheek and looks at her, angling his body. He looks her right in the eye and Sanem swallows at the dead look in them. Just admit you love me and stop this game already Sanem, you're not winning. "Happy?" he asks. "Was that what you wanted?"

"No. No it wasn't," Sanem shakes her head.

"Is there something you want to say to me?"

Sanem purses her lips and straightens her back. "No."