Early Bird (Erkenci Kus)(Part 2)

104. Wet otters and a vow of silence

Ayhan eyes JJ across the table in the restaurant. She's never been to such a classy place and she was trying not to be awkward.

JJ hasn't said much besides hello and asking what she felt like having when they sat down.

After their food came, and the silence had been dragging on longer than was comfortable even between strangers, Ayhan started eating because he was just looking at the food like he couldn't decide where to start eating from.

Finally, JJ cuts into the meat, takes a bite and chews, looking around the restaurant as he did. She ate her own steak and chewed as well, smiling at him shyly when his eyes land on hers.

After a couple of bites, JJ realizes that he should probably say some thing. He was nervous sitting here on what was basically an official date with Ayhan, and he hasn't said anything. He starts then stops again, looking away and smiling with his ears feeling on fire.

Ayhan wipes her lips with her napkin and swallows, eager to hear what he had to say.

"I...uhm, Ayhan, I -  " JJ tries again and stalls again, putting another piece of steak in his mouth instead.
After swallowing, he shifts in his chair and starts again, saying "Ayh - " at the same time that she says,

"JJ - "

"You first," he gestures.

"No, you."

"No, no, go ahead," he insists as they laugh awkwardly.

Ayhan shrugs when he points his knife at her. "This is a beautiful place, JJ. I really like it," she blushes and smiles. "That's all I wanted to say."

"Yes, I too - I like it too. Er, and how did you find it?"

"I just said I like it."

"No, I mean, how did you find it? I didn't send you a location."

"Oh, uhm, it wasn't that hard really. I just asked a few people on the street about the name and I found it pretty easily that way."

"I see," JJ says, looking at his meat as she continues eating too. "This is our first dinner together," he continues with a small smile after a moment, "so I wanted it to be unforgettable."

"If we don't plan on forgetting, then it will be," she jokes.

"Yes."

Ayhan picks up her wineglass and holds it out. "Let's make a toast to not forgetting?"

JJ nods with a hum, picking up his own glass and touching it to hers before he takes a big nervous gulp.

Ayhan swallows her own big swig and breathes out, looking around the restaurant and picking up her fork and knife again, as silence once more fills the air.

"Ayhan," JJ says after five minutes and she looks at him, taking her fork out of her mouth. "I have something to say to - no, something to tell you," he corrects himself. "But I'm very anxious and I can't really get it out."

She nods and dabs her mouth. She was ready for anything. "Take your time."

He stares at her for the longest time, looking like he was about to explode. "Otters!"

Ayhan blinks in confusion at JJ's sudden exclamation. Huh?

"Otters, you know, even when they sleep, they hold hands. Or paws... Did you know that? That when they're in love, and sleep, they hold hands. Interesting isn't it?"

She nods, even though she had no idea what he was talking about. I was ready for anything but a lesson in otter relationships.

"That's all I think about these days. I'm haunted by these kinds of things. Nature is so funny sometimes," he chuckles and sniffs, seeing he was losing her fast, then clears his throat. "What do you think about it?"