Early Bird (Erkenci Kus)(Part 3)

104. What is about to happen

"How about Draniki, maybe?" Guliz asks.

"No. Something more...unusual," JJ shakes his head, his pencil still ready and hovering over his notebook.

"Unusual...hm, like what?" Guliz sits on the side of the couch in the middle of the hub. "How about stuffed eggplant?"

"No."

"Hm..." Guliz chews her lip a second. "Black peppers?"

"Gives gas."

"Beans?"

"Also gives gas. What do you want to happen Guliz? Death by overgassing? I need a romantic dish! Romantic! Or do you want me to offer her a pickle and chopped onions?"

"JJ how am I supposed to know? I've never made anything romantic at home, I always go out. Can you even do something like that?"

"Of course I can. Everyone can cook romantic dishes where I'm from."

"Where is that by the way?"

"This is not the topic we're discussing. I need inspiration, stop stalling."

She rolls her eyes.

"Wait, what do you mean you've never cooked romantic dishes before? Have you never had a serious relationship?"

"Of course I - "

"Has your partner never offered to cook for you then? You were never loved I'm guessing if you've never been cooked something or showed how to make something!"

Guliz's lips trembles. "Thank you JJ!" she snaps upsetly. "That was unnecessary. No! I've never had a relationship like that, thank you for making me feel worthless."

"Wait Guliz, wait," JJ runs after her when she gets up and starts walking away. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry please wait." He catches her and she turns to him looking offended. "I'm sorry... er, can I ask you something else?"

"Okay."

"How do you cook fish in the oven? You know a nice recipe? Tell me."

"I have one." He nods and gets ready to write. "First you get the freshest fish you can find."

"Where?"

"The fishmarket JJ."

"Oh. Of course. I thought maybe I could get it from Osman," he laughs and she sighs. "Sorry, go on."

He writes down what she tells him, thinking to himself that trying to plan a date was really hard.

**

Sanem puffs out a breath sitting on her bed in her room that evening then lays back, closing her eyes. The door opens and she peeks through one eye, groaning and puffing again.

"Bloated are we?" Leyla asks, closing the door with a plate of fruit in her hand.

"What am I going to do?" Sanem whines painfully, holding her stomach. Her sister had no mercy. She sits up and Leyla sits next to her.

"You can go to Can and ask him to forgive you. It's the only solution to, well, this," Leyla waves a hand over Sanem's wincing face. "Open up."

Sanem opens her mouth and Leyla puts a piece of apple into her mouth.
She had skipped dinner because she was so upset, not feeling hungry. But obviously Leyla was having none of it. She chews slowly, her eyes rolling as she chews and tries to swallow past the knot in her throat.

"You know it's true too but you won't accept it."

"It's easy for you to say do it, but I have my pride you know?"