Early Bird (Erkenci Kus)(Part 3)

75. Unexpected surprises

"Sanem!"

Sanem keeps her eyes down, walking back in from the archives, where she had been working once again to get away from Huma.

"Sanem!" JJ hisses again, more urgently and comes to a skidding stop next to her. "Where have you been?! Your mom's here!"

"What?" Sanem looks up at him.

"She's in Mr Can's office as we speak. She got here ten minutes ago. And Mrs Hulya was following them."

"Huma JJ," Sanem sighs and rolls her eyes. As his words reach her fully, she freezes and her eyes grow wide. "Mrs Huma..." she mutters in alarm. "Mrs Huma and my mom...What do I do JJ?"

"Uhm," JJ looks around for a moment and then snaps his fingers. "Got it! Make some tea, take it to the office and act surprised to see your mom."

Sanem nods slowly. "That's brilliant JJ!"

"I know," he grins and she turns to runs through to the coffeebar.

-

Sitting in his office with the tray of cabbage rolls in his lap, Can picks up yet another one and bites into it, savoring the flavor with an appreciative hum as he chews.

"This is so stupidly good, Mrs Mevkhibe," he says after swallowing the piece. "You really know what you're doing." He looks at her next to him on the couch and she smiles shyly. "I just want to stick my head in here and go to town without using my hands and swallow it whole, you know?" He chuckles and eats the rest of the one in his hand, before picking up another. "Hmm," he takes a larger bite and then looks at her curiously. "How do you make these again? Keep the cabbage leaves in brine for 6 months? Is that right?" Mevkhibe shakes her head and chuckles. "I swear it has to be that because no way it tastes this good without resting."

"I don't make it with brine dear, I add more lemon juice."

"Oh, so the lemon juice is the secret. Got it," Can winks and grins with a nod, taking another bite. "No wonder mine always tastes like paper."

Mevkhibe smiles, enjoying seeing him enjoy it. "You have quite a hearty appetite son," she laughs, "now I'm glad I came when I did." She hands him a napkin that he takes midchew and nods in thanks for. She looks at him closely a moment while he eats and then clears her throat lightly, "Can?"

"Hm?" he hums, looking up with his mouth full.

"I won't bring it up again after this, if it upsets you," she starts carefully.  "You can just tell me and I'll stop."

He nods and swallows. "Okay?"

"Sanem told me what happened with your mother."

"Ah," he says and nods again. Of course she did.

Before he can say anything else, though, Huma comes into the office with a glare. "What could Sanem possibly have told you that is even remotely true concerning me?"

Mevkhibe turns, blinking at her. "Sorry, I didn't get that?"

"Mrs Huma doesn't know how to interact with people," Can leans closer, speaking just loud enough for Huma to still hear as well. "I beg your forgiveness for her rudeness on her behalf, Mrs Mevkhibe."

"No worries, dear," Mevkhibe says stiffly and smiles, patting his arm, but side eyeing Huma.

Huma sees her touching Can and steps forward. "We have not been properly introduced. I'm Huma, Can's mother."

Can wipes his hands clean of any excess oil as Huma holds both hands out for Mevkhibe to take.

"Mevkhibe, Sanem's mother." Mevkhibe looks away, not taking Huma's hands, and dropping the polite smile while Huma rolls her eyes boredly and also turns away.
Mevkhibe widens her eyes at Can and then smiles at him sweetly when he looks from his mother to the food and then at her.