Early Bird (Erkenci Kus)(Part 3)

41. Earthquake?!

"Goodness me," Melihat moans and zooms in on the photo of Can and Sanem. "This man has muscles for days...Look at those arms. So strong." She shows the two women standing in the store with her. "He is very handsome."

"Isn't that the same guy that attended the library opening?"

"Yes, it is."

"The man filled the entire library with books," Melihat pops a seed in her mouth. "He's extremely rich. Did you know that his type eats raw meat? Straight off the bone."

"Look at Sanem, catching such a guy. And in secret too."

"Seems Aysun was right all along."

"For god's sake, don't look for gossip," Melihat shakes her head. "And she has no business discussing these things." She dusts her hands. "No, I don't like talking about it. It bothers me."

The two women lean in as she looks down and straightens her dress.

"Are they engaged? Do you know if they have rings?"

"Let me see," Melihat opens the photo again and zooms in. "No, no rings." She chuckles and tilts the phone. "But I bet once Mr Can does propose the ring will be huge. Like a boulder weighing her hand down, she'll be dragging it behind her like this," Melihat cackles, mimicking the action.

"Ha ha ha ha!" a mocking laugh comes from the door and they all look up at Muzaffer standing there with a whole heap of newspapers in his arms. "How nice, everyone gossiping all day. One step closer to hell."

"Good Lord." "Shame on you Muzaffer."

"No shame on you," he returns.

"Call us if anything happens."

Melihat waves the ladies off. "Okay, geez."

"This neighborhood breathes gossip, I swear," Muzaffer huffs, stepping inside when it is just the two of them.

"I don't like it anymore. People always chattering and whispering." She shakes her head and the points at the newspapers. "What are you doing? You selling newspapers now?"

"No, I'm buying them. I've bought every newspaper with Can and Sanem in it so the news can't spread." Melihat sighs. "She is from here. She's one of us and people have forgotten it just to talk about her. What do you want me to do? Let them?"

"Muzo, buying every newspaper is not going to help son, it's on the internet too. How are you going to stop the internet?" Muzaffer closes his eyes and groans in defeat. "Everyone has phones nowadays. Are you going to buy every phone?" She chuckles. "Come now dear."

"You're right, the phones are smarter than their owners. The internet is evil and it's spreading these kinds of stories...it's a moving source, like a rash...Aunt Melihat?" She looks up from picking out a seed. "About this story, is it true? Are they together? Are they about to rip out my heart?"

"Take a seat dear, sit down," Melihat nods at the chairs outside. "I'll tell you everything."

"I don't know who to believe," Muzaffer says, getting the chair and sitting down across from her. "Everyone's saying different things. One says yes, one says no, one doesn't know." He shrugs.

"They should all be ashamed. It's all gossip."

"Melihat."

"Melihat, we heard you were in here."

"Is Sanem marrying this man?"

Melihat and Muzaffer look at the four women piling into the store.

"I just asked her the same thing."