Early Bird (Erkenci Kus)(Part 4)

22. Trouble sleeping

Osman looks around the house he and Leyla were currently being led through and then at her. "What do you think?"

"Very beautiful," she smiles, then frowns into the room they pass, "but where did this sudden need for a house come from?" she asks curiously.

"Why? Don't you like the idea?"

"No, of course not, I do. But we haven't really talked about it. I didn't even know you wanted to buy a house?"

Osman turns to the agent walking behind them and she nods. "Excuse me, I'll give you a moment."

He waits until she leaves to go into another room and then turns Leyla to walk with him, stopping in what was the living room. "Things are going well. We're on this road together, right?" He smiles and touches her arm gently. "I've decided to take out a loan and whatever house we choose will be ready by the time we get married. Did I do wrong?"

"No. You're very forward thinking." She walks further into the room. "I just don't think it was necessary to take out a loan. Think about the debt you're getting into." She frowns out the window.

"I've been signed on this bank contract for the next year, and the show is also doing well," he comes over to stand behind her and wraps his arms around her.

She remains still in them, her arms pressed close to her sides clutching her handbag. She wasn't sure she liked this. He didn't talk to her about any of it. He was just assuming.

"Honey, don't worry. Everthing will be fine." Leyla closes her eyes as he speaks next to her ear. Instead of feeling content and happy, she felt trapped and uncomfortable. "Come Summer, our life will begin and it will be beautiful."

Wanting some space, she takes a quiet deep breath and then stands away as discreetly as she can. "Yes, things will change," she smiles. Osman takes her face in his hands her heart races in protest to the unfamiliar touch.

"The main thing right now, is that you like our house. I go where you go. If you're with me, I'm happy."

He leans closer, his eyes on her lips.

Oh God...we've never actually kissed have we? Do I want to kiss him now?

Luckily for Leyla and her upended nerves, the agent returns and she jumps back. Osman drops his hands too and turns. They put on smiles and walk over.

"And what do we think?"

"We like the house," Osman clears his throat, looking at a flustered Leyla. "Do we have time to think?" She nods in agreement quickly.

"Alright. Call me when you decide."

"Thank you."

"Have a nice day," Leyla says hurriedly and then hurries down the hall leading outside.

Osman smiles at the agent following calmly, everything inside him turning upside down once he's alone.

**

JJ whistles to himself that evening as he chopped up his dinner ingredients, the saucepan already sizzling with onions. 

On the counter behind him, his new ringtone scares him when it starts blaring and he laughs at himself. Reaching back he picks up his phone seeing an unknown number. "Hello?"

"JJ."

"Grandma?" JJ perks up. "What happened to the old number?"

"Why are you cutting the tomatoes so thick?"

JJ looks down at the tomatoes. "No, they're finely chopped. Very thin."

"No, they're too thick. And you're eating canned food?"