Early Bird (Erkenci Kus)(Part 3)

22. Mevkhibe shows up to Can's house

Mevkhibe rolls yet another dolma in the pan where she sat in the living room that evening. She takes a deep breath and looks at Melihat. "Why don't you help me instead of just sitting there?"

"I can't dear, I just did my manicure an hour ago," Melihat shrugs, putting a seed in her mouth.

"Good Lord," Mevkhibe puffs and continues her rolling.

"Where are your daughters? They haven't arrived yet," Melihat peeks out the window. "Hey," she grins at Mevkhibe, "do you think they're with those boyfriends of theirs?" She wiggles her brows.

"So stuck on these 'guys'," Mevkhibe grinds out. "They're at work, they have too much work sometimes and they stay behind. It happens often."

"Oh sure," Melihat scoffs and then laughs. "Do you really believe what you're saying right now? Come on. You're acting like no one saw Sanem and Leyla at the opening."

"Yes, they were seen, and thanks to you, everyone heard too."

"I didn't tell anyone anything. Stop accusing me. Shame on you."

Mevkhibe rolls her eyes at her too defensive friend, giving her an incredulous look. Hm hm...

"They might even get engaged one of these days," Melihat chuckles, chewing on more seeds. "Maybe they're already engaged and they just haven't told you." Mevkhibe narrows her eyes at Melihat. "I'm telling you - Do you remember Muzghan's daughter?" Mevkhibe's lips purse and she stares at Melihat with a raised brow. "She got married secretly to that and kept it quiet for 2 years. It was official and everything. Do you remember?"

Mevkhibe swallows loudly, panic rising at the thought of this. "Don't make me doubt my daughters," she frowns worriedly. They've kept things from her before, why not this? Oh God she might be right!

"Look, I get that Leyla and Emre may still be at the beginning, because they don't seem that close yet but Mr Can? He's always around the neighborhood isn't he?" Mevkhibe pauses in her rolling, lifting her head. "Why would that be?"

"Why would that be?" Mevkhibe repeats.

"Wake up honey," Melihat stands up, bringing her bowl with her. "This man wants you to get used to him so he can become your son in law." Mevkhibe stares at her as she sits down on the sofa beside her. "You're going to be minding your business until one day, they come and stand in front of you only to say, 'Mom, Dad, we're already married'." Mevkhibe's eyes widen. "It'll be over then."

She takes a deep breath, her heartburn soaring up to her throat.

"Young people are like that these days.  They don't care about traditions. Do you remember Ragyp's daughter? She came and told him she was married, the poor man had a heart attack right there. We had to hold his tongue down with a spoon so he wouldn't swallow it, remember?"

Stop. Stop. Stop. Mevkhibe pushes against her chest, trying to breathe. "I feel really off now," she says, her throat tight. "I can't unsee the future now..."

"So what Mevkhibe?" Melihat shrugs. "How bad can it be? With such a healthy and well mannered man in the family? I wouldn't mind it...And guess what else is a good thing, the store," Melihat grins, "he can help you expand."

"How so?"

"Why upgrades, and buying another one, of course. You'll be able to open an entire supermarket!"

"Ooff, Melihat," Mevkhibe breathes, "I'm about to explode, stop." She takes another deep breath, pushing the heartburn down.

"Don't explode, dear, not now. After all, you have a double wedding to plan for...You're going to be in a beautiful dress and look amazing. No way your sons in law will leave you to look any other way."