Early Bird (Erkenci Kus)(Part 3)

47. The rumors are true

The quick stirring of yet another sugar cube added to Mevkhibe's tea has Sanem looking at it with a raised brow, the tinkling of the spoon against the glass being very annoying.

Leyla stares at her food, seemingly not caring about Mevkhibe's stirring beside her. When she's done, she taps the spoon twice and puts it down, looking from Leyla to Sanem.

Nihat sits at the other end, looking at his wife in question and then around him at the other silent members.

Sanem stops chewing and then kicks her mother under the table making her jump. "Oh - " She stuffs a forkful of food in her mouth awkwardly. She had been aiming for Leyla's foot.

Mevkhibe smiles at Nihat, acting like nothing happened.

Sanem leans over to whisper to Leyla. "I wonder if mom said anything to dad?" She's been wondering since they sat down and no one spoke. The atmosphere felt very loaded.

Leyla shrugs. "She said she didn't. I asked her before you came in."

Sanem chews her eggs faster, nodding and eyeing her father eyeing them, then her mother.

"Enjoy the rest of your breakfast," Leyla mutters dully and stands up. "Excuse me."

"Leyla?"

Sanem stops her leaving by grabbing her hand when Nihat speaks and pulls her down to sit. He knows don't leave me! her eyes scream at Leyla who looks at him with large eyes before sitting back down.

He looks at Sanem who has the same look on her face. Mevkhibe watches silently, nerves eating at her. She hated lying to her husband. Or hiding things from him in fact.

Nihat points at Leyla's plate of untouched food. "You didn't finish sunflower?"

Sanem stuffs the rest of her food into her mouth chewing quickly. "Wham weatin waddy," she says and grins around her full mouth. He stares at her and then looks at Leyla again.

"Are you okay?" Nihat asks with a concerned look and Leyla nods.

"I'm just not very hungry dad. I don't want to eat."

"Alright," he nods. "But have a snack at work. You can't get through the day on an empty stomach."

"I'm not going to work today, dad." Mevkhibe looks at Leyla.

"You? You're not going to work?" he asks in disbelief. Leyla never stayed home unless she had to. "Why?"

Leyla looks down. "I have a runny nose. I'm going to my room to rest. I don't want to infect you if I'm sick," she says quickly and gets up, half running out of the kitchen to get away, already sniffling.

"Good Lord," Nihat breathes staring after her as Sanem winces and coughs, failing at again grabbing Leyla's hand. "Well, I'm full too," he looks at Mevkhibe. "Thank you honey."

"You're welcome dear."

"Enjoy your breakfast. I'll go get ready and open the store." He stands and smiles at them, touching Sanem's shoulder as he leaves.

She puts the last of her eggs in her mouth and chews before she also attempts to get up. Mevkhibe makes a sound in the back of her throat and looks down to indicate Sanem stay seated. "But I have to go, mom, I'll be late." Mevkhibe lifts a brow and then nods. Sanem takes her phone and jumps up.

"Yes run away." Mevkhibe stands as well and comes over to a once more stopped Sanem. "Don't get caught again. Be careful."

"Yes mom, don't worry."

"And listen," Sanem sighs. "Don't embarrass me. You hear me? Don't make me repeat myself."

"Okay mom."