Early Bird (Erkenci Kus)(Part 2)

25. Early Bird emerges

Can sits silently at his dining room table, scrolling through the finished script. Deren is still there as well and she's the first to break the silence.

"It's nice to work like this. It's so quiet. Finally," she chuckles. "It was a busy day, I'm so tired."

"You're right, it was but it was worth it," Can cracks his neck. "Everything is ready." He takes out a few pages from under his laptop. "Call this, er - what's the name again?"

"Early Bird."

"Yes, Early Bird. Call the Bird to come in on Monday. Is it a girl?"

"I think so?" Deren shrugs.

"Okay, well, she'll work with you on the script and choose the actors too. I'll do location scouting with her."

"Alright. I'll get in touch with her. Don't worry."

"I never do," Can nods and she smiles. He looks at the sparse details on the winning paper again, wondering why this person didn't add much to it.

"Since we're done, I'll start packing up?" Deren suggests.

"Okay."

Deren starts doing just that, eyeing Can as she does. "Can, I don't want this taken the wrong way, and I promise this is the last time I'll ask you." Can looks at her in question. "We still need to have that drink, remember?"

"Oh, yes, of course," Can nods. "I'm sorry, I completely forgot. No offense but you know I've been busy." Deren nods that she understands. "Maybe we can go on Monday night?"

"Monday night?" Deren asks in surprise. She hadn't expected that.

"Hm hm," Can nods.

"Really? Do you promise?"

"I promise."

"Oh my - " Deren composes herself when he looks down and then smiles. "Okay. Good. Uhm, wow, uhm, well, today really turned out something else. That positive motivation thing actually helped."

No idea what that is but okay. "Great."

She zips up her bag and stands. "I'll see you Monday at the office then." Can stands as well to walk with her. "Oh no, don't bother getting up, I know the way out."

"You sure?" Deren nods, assuring him that she would be fine. "Okay then. Goodnight, Deren."

"Goodnight, Can."

Can sits down again and sips on his tea, his mind jumping to wishing he was going for that drink with Sanem instead but he has neglected poor Deren long enough now.

Plus, it might do him good to go out for a bit and switch off with a good friend.

**

"God bless your hands, my love."

"Thank you," Mevkhibe smiles at Nihat and he continues eating.

"Sanem's not hungry, she doesn't want to eat." Leyla walks out of the house into the garden and sits down in her spot next to her father.

Mevkhibe stares up at the second floor and then she closes her eyes and sighs. "Oh good Lord, she's in love."

"What?" Leyla scoffs. "In love? That's impossible mom."

"Your sister waited and waited for years and now she went and fell in love with a man she doesn't belong with." Mevkhibe looks at Leyla as she spoons some broth in a bowl. "You didn't know?"

"Know about what? Who did she fall in love with? I don't know anything about this?"

"Mr Can, Leyla. The girl is in love with Mr Can." Leyla gasps. "You work with her, you're in the same place every day how could you not know? Listen," Mevkhibe holds up a finger, "if you knew and didn't tell me, I'm going to be very upset. Very upset."