10 Minutes

"Okay"

For as many days as they had been back in Turkey, Can couldn't escape the feeling of anxiousness that overcame him as he awakened. Would he loose her today? Would the investigation turn up the real murderer? What about the child, what had become of him? Why did Yigit hate his family so much? Would his life ever return to that time when he and she had first met and the future lay bright before them? He turned over onto his back and reached for her but instead found bare sheets, cool to the touch. He lifted himself up on his elbows and looked around the room. The curtains were still pulled closed and the bathroom door was open. His little bird had slipped out. He ran his hands through his hair and sat up. "Sanem?" He called out to her but didn't expect a response. The room was quite, but just saying her name felt good. He rolled out of bed and onto his feet and walked over to the windows that looked out across the city and to the Bosphorus. He stood still for a moment letting the warmth of the sun hit his naked body. He stretched his arms out and leaned against the narrow strip of wall on one side of the window and the other on the sill. He starred out across the rows of building and hotels and reminded himself that they hadn't just come back to settle his account's but to also get married. His heart wanted nothing more than to make her his by every law and by his own words in front of her family. She deserved nothing less but how could he when his future was up in the air. He would never tie her down to him if he weren't free. He couldn't clip her wings that way. He was so lost in his thoughts that when she spoke his name he simply looked up and pulled her into his arms hugging her tightly to himself. Kissing her head and murmuring her name. She readily wrapped her arms around him, "Noldu Can?" as she quietly asked what was the matter. He squeezed her tight again and looked out the window once more trying to find the answers to his life out there somewhere. As he made to look away something caught his attention. The building across from them stood at an angle and a couple of floors just above his own. He saw a tall man move away from the window behind the curtains. He continued to stare at the spot where the man had stood. The man's build, for the briefest of moments that he had seen him seemed oddly familiar. He felt as if though he had been staring down at him, at them. He kept his eyes set on the window waiting to see if the man emerged but when Sanem moved against him he looked away for a moment and then back. The feeling he had dissipated as Sanem looked up into his eyes with concern in her own. "I brought us some cay and croissants. You must be hungry my love. I know I am". She smiled brightly but it didn't quite reach her eyes. He leaned down and kissed her soft and slow and then smiled back. "Let me get some clothes on, unless of course you....." a swat to his arm indicated that she was ready for food and not him. He pretended to rub his arm in pain but sauntered into the bathroom as she set the cay and food on the small coffee table by the sofa. His mind quickly went back to the building next door and he nodded his head for a moment. He didn't need to create one more imaginary problem for himself. He had plenty as it was. Today they would go check in on his mom and then spend the afternoon outdoors. It was time they talked about what came next.

Sanem held Cans hand as they exited the hospital and jumped into a taxi. She had mulled about for while what she wanted to say but she wanted to surprise him first with an overdue present. As much for him as for her. She leaned over and told the driver to take them to the outskirts of the city and gave him an address. Can nodded his head back and forth wondering what she was about. She reached over and caressed his bearded cheek and with her hand still in his, squeezed it "I have something I want to show you-be patient". And in his own simple words she added "okay?" His slow smile that spread across his face made her feel butterfly's inside as he responded "okay". The ride took longer than she anticipated as the traffic seemed never ending but once they were out of the city limits the road opened up and the scenery changed from urban and dense to majestic countryside and the Bosphorus still within site. They talked quietly about her plans to continue her painting and he his own projects but see inside they both knew their concern over the trial would push everything else to the back burner. "Sanem..you need to know that I want us to marry as soon as possible but..." she put her hand against his lips and shushed him. Moving upwards to kiss his cheek. "I know my love.. I know but first things first... I'm not leaving your side". She watched his face as a mixture of emotions crossed it. She knew it still struck a raw nerve in him that he had abandoned her when all went wrong for them but she had forgiven him. She only wished he would forgive himself. She couldn't do that for him but she could make it easier. "We're here. Now, I want you to wait by the taxi until I say so". His face told her he wouldn't comply. "Please....I want to surprise you". He closed his eyes briefly and then nodded his head. "Only for a bit, if you don't return quickly I'm coming after you". She giggled and squeezed his check as she got out of the taxi. He followed and leaned back against the closed door as she instructed the driver to remain for a few minutes. She looked back over her shoulder as she ran down the driveway somewhat obscured by bushes and out of sight. She knew he would be surprised but she hoped he would be pleased. He needed space and freedom and a place to call home and she couldn't think of a better place than this. She unlocked the mailbox and retrieved the keys left for her and the remote to open the big rod iron gates to the property. It was grander than she had anticipated but she just knew it would also be warm and welcoming. She turned around and headed back the way she came and calmed herself for a moment to breath in slowly and contain her nerves. If he loved it as much as she did, having fallen in love with it by only seeing photos and a video, this would be there home.
Can shifted his feet as he leaned against the side of the taxi. Sanem could be spontaneous on a whim but this seemed a bit more thought out and crafted. He wondered what she could be up to. He leaned to the side to see if she was coming but there was no one on the pebble drive. He turned toward the road and watched as the cars drove by on the single lane road and then looked up towards the bluest sky he had seen in a while. It seemed the rains had come to an end and soon summer would be all around them. He stood up straight hearing footsteps coming towards him and then saw her approach with the biggest smile on her face. She was up to something that was for sure, and soon he would know just what his beauty had in store for him. "Are you planning to kidnap me and have your way with me my beautiful Turkish Rose". Sanem blushed at his words but they were said in English so that the driver wouldn't comprehend. "If you play your cards right, you never know. Come, follow me. It's time. She waved at the driver, grabbed his hand as he reached for hers. "I want you to close your eyes until I say so. Tamam?" Can looked down on her for a few seconds and then nodded his agreement. "This better be good Sanem... I'm better at giving surprises than receiving them". She shushed him and covered his eyes with her palms for good measure. She guided him down the drive and lastly past the gate she had already opened. As they turned to the left the drive opened up and the whole of the estate came into view. It was even more beautiful than she could have hoped for. To the right a grey truck sat quietly with a huge bow on top. It was the same brand as the one he had before but a newer model with a few more packages to boot. She had almost forgotten he was with her when they had stopped and only his "ahem" of impatience brought her out of her momentary daze. "Tamam, Tamam! Are you ready?" She heard him growl and that was her cue to lift her palms away and yell "surpriz" a bit too close to his ear. She watched his face intently as he opened his eyes and looked around him almost suspiciously. Then his face relaxed, taking on a different look as he scanned the scene in front of him from top to bottom, along with the grounds and then the truck. He blinked several times but said nothing. When he turned to her he appeared somewhat confused. "Sanem?" She had hoped for more of a reaction but he wasn't upset and that was good. "Can....I know we haven't had a lot of time to discuss what our exact plans for us are after the trial but..... but I don't want us to wait for some time in the future to begin our lives. So....considering I know all of your likes and dislikes and that we need a place to call home and something to drive—well I decided.... Ahhhheye" but she never got to finish her sentence as the man she loved more than herself picked her up and kissed her so thoroughly she was left speechless. "You're an Angel. You're my lifesaver and my anchor. Your also a mind reader and sneaky. When and how did you get this all done and did you know this house is.....?" She smiled and laughed and nodded at his words "yes...it belonged to your favorite poet and writer. I know. When I spoke to the realtor I told him everything I needed in our home and where it should be and well this is what we found. It needs some work inside. Apparently some foreigners were planning on making it a bed and breakfast but well, you know, I managed to make them an offer they couldn't refuse in order to give it up. The previous owner moved away and it was in his will to sell it and give the proceeds to the literature department at the university. So I doubled the amount and now it's ours". She looked at him and his soft smile with glassy eyes and stopped talking. After a few moments she said "are you happy my love?" He pulled her close and nudged her nose with this own. "I'd be happy with you in the wilderness under a blanket with the stars for a canopy, but this too makes me happy. You're one of a kind Sanem Aydin". She pecked his lips and said "Im just one half of a whole. Without you this is all just brick and mortar but together we will make it a home".

The drive back to the hotel was animated to say the least with Sanem chatting up a storm about all the things they needed to do and what to buy first. He drove carefree through the busy streets like he was on a cloud. At least it felt that way until they passed by the government offices and courthouses on their way to the hotel. He was immediately thrust back into their reality and his mood quieted only nodding here and there at her comments. She must have sensed it because as they parked the truck she once again took control in order to give him time and space. She knew him so well.
"Why don't you go and check us out of the room and I'll pack. You can send up the bellhop for our bags in about twenty minutes and then I'll meet you downstairs. I know you want to place a call to Metin too so that will give me enough time." She smiled at him as if there was nothing to worry about. He returned her soft smile and picked up her hands and kissed her knuckles. Letting his lips rest there for a moment longer than needed. "Seni seviyorum Sanem!". Her reply was a simple "ben de Can".

Sanem looked around the room they had almost spent the last two months in. She couldn't say she would miss it although many pleasant memories were made between its walls. She smiled to herself but then recalled that she had also experienced a strange sensation while there. She had gotten the feeling ever since Cans assault  that something was off. She really couldn't name it but she had become bothered by it even to the degree that she felt that someone was watching them. She hadn't mentioned it to Can because first of all it couldn't be true as there was no evidence of it and second of all he had enough on his mind already without a dramatic female to deal with. She moved through the room picking up his items and hers and packing them up. She went to her chest of drawers and when she took out her lingerie she stopped, and remained still; as a cold dread moved through her. There were just three sets in the drawer when she distinctly remembered washing and folding six. She was wearing one pair, another was in the dirty laundry and three sets  were in her hands. She blinked several times trying to get a grip on her rampant imaginings but then she nearly tripped over herself to get to the door and engage the locking mechanism in place. She had left it unlocked with just the slamming of the door to tell her the door had indeed shut. She remained standing very still and listened intently for any strange noises. What she heard was her own heart beat and the blood pumping in her veins. She shook herself and walked into the bathroom where the last of her things were. She began dumping all of her skincare and makeup along with Cans products into her toiletry case without any care. She grabbed Cans jacket and her wrap and turned to the bed where she had placed the suitcases and shoved them inside. She stood silent again and began looking at the walls and then walked behind the dresser and felt around the mirror above it and tried pulling it from the wall but it was anchored in place. She used her fingers to feel around the headboard but there was nothing there but dust. She moved to the front part of the room, sectioned off by a half wall and did the same but found nothing. She wasn't even sure what she was looking for but she felt compelled to follow her instincts. She walked back into her bedroom and looked all around once more. She walked to the windows and pulled at the see through layers of curtains to the side and stared out. She immediately remembered the night before and the strange light she had seen from the building across the way. She looked up towards the building as her eyes scanned up the floors until she landed on the right one. Today the windows stood wide open without the benefit of the drapes and what she saw made her jump back from the window and behind the narrow bit of wall. Her heart was pounding as she fumbled for her phone, calling Can and telling him he needed to come to her immediately. She stilled her heart and made some mental calculations and then turned toward the window again hoping he was still there but only so that she could count the floors, though she was fairly certain she could figure it out by the number of floors they were on. There he stood, a tall figure in all black with binoculars to his face. She didn't need to see his face to know who he was. "Yigit".