Early Bird (Erkenci Kus)(Part 3)

57. The night turns

Nihat pulls the steel security door down over the store door after locking up for the day. He was only an hour or so past his usual time leaving for home. He was also starving and he couldn't wait to see what Mevkhibe made.

As he is locking the door in place, Aysun speaks behind him, walking past with Hulya. "Oh, I was hoping to buy bread before he closed."

"Why didn't you say? I have extra, I'll give you one."

"Thank you dear," Aysun sighs.

Nihat rises to his full height and turns. "Ladies," he nods at them.

"Evening Nihat," Aysun pauses. "I've been meaning to come by earlier but I got so busy. Congratulations by the way."

"Congratulations? For what?" he steps down into the street.

"Sanem and Can are getting married."

Nihat stares at Aysun.

"Although," Hulya interjects, "I am not sure if it will happen after all. The man has been telling the press he doesn't want to get married."

What on earth are they talking about? These people and their magazines... God forbid this is what the future holds...gossip mongers and false news... this has been settled already! He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath so he won't lose his temper. He's had a rough enough day.

"It's interesting isn't it?"

"I have no idea what you two are talking about. What are you lending your ears out to now?"

"Oh dear Nihat," Aysun innocently blinks. "Mevkhibe hasn't told you yet I take it? As expected," she looks him up and down in pity.

"Good God," Nihat mumbles and then he starts walking home instead of staying with these two. What hasn't she told me? Was this what she wanted to tell me earlier? Why didn't she? He speeds up and jogs towards his house.

Mevkhibe is inside the kitchen when he comes in and stops in the door.

"Mevkhibe!"

She jumps and grabs onto her chest, turning to him with her eyes wide. "Nihat, you scared the living daylights out of me," she gasps, picking up a dishtowel to dry her hands.

He ignores her panting and stalks across the room. "I'm going to ask this once, Mevkhibe." He holds up a finger. "Once. And you're going to answer me without stammering."

Mevkhibe's entire being freezes at the fury in his eyes, her hands clutching the dishtowel. Oh God he knows... "I'm listening," she manages as he stares her down, his face red and his nostrils wide with anger.

"The entire street is saying Sanem and Can are getting married. Why are they saying that? What does it mean? Did you know about this? Hm? Did you know and decide not to tell me?"

"I didn't - "

"You didn't what?!" he explodes and she jumps back, her eyes closed. "You didn't know or you didn't want me to know?! Speak Mevkhibe!"

"They're not even really engaged - "

"Oh you do know! They would have run off to get married and sent a postcard from God knows where to tell me they're married! Is that the way I would have found out?! Because you sure as hell weren't going to tell me!"

"They're not engaged, not getting married...but..." She swallows, tears forming in her eyes. They haven't had a fight like this in years. Where he was the aggressor and she was the one with no words. It scared her when Nihat got this angry.

"What?!" he demands.

"They are just dating, Nihat. That's why everyone is discussing a wedding, they're just talking."