Early Bird (Erkenci Kus)(Part 3)

18. JJ and Sanem follow Emre

"Come on Sanem, where are you?" JJ paces the edge of the office entrance, checking his wristwatch. "Where are you?" he looks up and huffs. "You're late, you're very late again..."

"JJ," Guliz whispers urgently, hurrying across to him, having seen him hanging around there for the past thirty minutes.

"What is it?"

"What are you doing over here? Why do you look so panicked?"

"Because Sanem Time is coming."

"Sanem Time?" Guliz asks in confusion.

"Yes," JJ stares at her with wide eyes, "You see, for Miss Deren, there's this time every day that she comes out of her office and shouts for Sanem."

"What do you - "

"Five." JJ starts counting. "Four," he looks at his watch, "three...two... one," and then he holds his arms out to the sides and closes his eyes just as Deren's voice yells from the other side.

"Sanem!"

Guliz stares at him in shock and he nods with a knowing grin.

"Sanem! Answer me!"

"I can't believe it."

"I told you," JJ shrugs, dropping his arms.

"Sanem! Why aren't you responding?! Sanem!" Guliz hurries to JJ's other side as Deren comes out of her office and starts looking around.

"Miss Deren?" JJ clears his throat and nods at her.

"I'm looking for Sanem, JJ, are you Sanem?"

"Which Sanem are we talking about?"

"How many are there?" Deren hisses.

"Depends on what day you get her? When you need her she'll be here in any capacity for anything."

Sanem walks in behind Deren just as JJ says this and stops, her eyes wide. She rolls her hand to show him to continue as she takes off her hat and coat. She snorts at his rambling as Guliz urges her to hurry. Dilara and Ahmet help Sanem hide her things as Mehmet hands her a file. She thanks him silently and Miraz fixes her hair.

"Applaud Guliz," JJ snaps after his ramble and she claps her hands, smiling too widely. Deren, in confusion, claps along, no idea why she was applauding. "Oh look, there she is! Sanem!" JJ points at Sanem and Deren spins round.

"Miss Deren!" Sanem gushes and smiles at her when she walks over.

"Sanem, where have you been?"

"I was in the archives."

"Oh," Deren blinks. "Oh, okay." She glances around, looking lost for a moment. "I...Uhm, what did I want you for again?" she mumbles, looking at JJ next to her.

He shrugs, lifting his hands. Sanem looks down at the file, hiding her smile.

"I wanted something..." Deren frowns. "JJ, you confused me, I can't remember what I wanted..." Deren scratches her head and looks back at Sanem. "Nevermind," she huffs and shakes her head, "I changed my mind anyway. I don't need anything from you. I'm leaving." She blinks and turns, then walks away.

JJ steps closer to Sanem when Guliz also returns to her own desk and grins.

"You're amazing for covering, JJ," Sanem whispers with a smile.

"I made a whole production of it, didn't I? I think I should act the office clown more often."

"It suits you so well."