Early Bird (Erkenci Kus)(Part 3)

16. Dinner with Can and Emre

That evening, Sanem and Can are sitting at the restaurant table, with Can eating his meat and vegetables with no care in the world as Sanem eyed him across the table.

When he first brought her here, she was surprised - it was not like the kinds of places they usually went if they were going to have dinner, but she figured maybe he wanted to treat her or something, you know, as his 'special friend'. She had sat down eagerly and readily grabbed the menu, wanting to see what was on it, until she spotted Emre coming in too.

And here they all still were over an hour later - her, Can and Emre - all at the same table, exchanging niceties.

"Hm," Can hums and chews. "This is very good isn't it? I saw a couple of reviews in a magazine but I didn't make much of it."

She gives him as much of a smile as she can. "It is good."

"This isn't good. It's great," Emre says next to her then looks at her plate. "You're not eating though, how can you say it's good? You not having fun?"

"Sanem?" Can checks, leaning forward. He wanted her to enjoy it - it wasn't fish, her favorite, but it was nice. Plus, this dinner had an ulterior motive. He wanted his brother and Sanem to get along again.

"What - No, I am having fun," she says quickly. "My head's just a bit busy with work."

"Work? We're not at the office Sanem, forget about work," Can tsks. "We're done working, besides, work isn't anywhere as exciting as this piece of steak."

"No one cares about the agency as much as Sanem does. She's an amazing work friend."

"Yes, she strikes me as such but I don't think 'work' friend is correct anymore," Can shakes his head as Sanem spears a piece of meat. "I think we should be normal friends, first of all, especially you two."

"Normal friends," Sanem repeats, stopping herself from outright snorting at the ridiculous notion.

"Yeah, ordinary friends that talk about daily things, laugh at silly stuff and things like that."

Sanem gives him a dry look and he stabs a piece of potato into his mouth.

"I would like to say something to help with that," Emre says and they look at him. He clears his throat and turns to face Sanem. "Sanem, I've been through a rough time, we all have. I hurt you along the way, put you in a situation you weren't meant to be in, and that I didn't want to put you in. I want to ask your forgiveness, if I may."

Can chews slower, looking from Sanem to Emre. Emre looks at the flowers in the middle of the table and picks one out.

"I hope you can accept?" he says as he holds the rose out to her. "I am sorry."

Sanem looks at Can, whose eyes are on her again, waiting for her to respond. She didn't like the underlying meaning she heard in Emre's voice. He was good though - if she didn't accept his apology, Can would be hurt because she wouldn't forgive his brother. It was plainly obvious why he'd invited the both of them.

Can smiles at her and nods at Emre, telling her it was okay to give him a chance. 

It's not okay though, she thinks as she takes the flower tentatively. "Thank you," she says to Emre. "You've embarrassed me into it now but thank you."

"No, it is I who should feel embarrassed," Emre shakes his head, his hand to his chest, "You reminded me that I've made a terrible mistake and that I had to repent. Thank you for that, honestly." Sanem just looks at him. "I hope I'm forgiven."

"Of course you're forgiven," Can scoffs, "come on now," Can points at the flower, "that was a little too over the top even for you, how can she not forgive you?" Emre snorts and laughs. "It was such a nice touch I was seconds from forgiving you again myself and I don't even have to."