Early Bird (Erkenci Kus)(Part 4)

30. Not true love

Nihat glances at Mevkhibe over his shoulder that evening as they sat on the couch with their tea. Both had their backs angled to one another, peeking then looking away.

They wanted to be close but then they also didn't want the other to think they were giving in.

Nihat slurps his tea loudly, peeking to see if she would say anything.

She just shoots a look over and then does the same.

Leyla enters the living room, returning from Osman and Ayhan's house, seeing her parents do this and then sighs before she puts on a big grin and runs over to them. "I'm home!"

"Hello my princess," Nihat greets her when she hops in the middle between them and makes them turn with her arms around each.

"What are you two doing?" she asks.

"Where is Sanem?" Mevkhibe returns.

"She stayed with Ayhan, they're having a sleepover so she didn't come with me."

"Why?"

"You know them, mom, once they start it's just blah blah blah and they don't shut up again in a hurry."
Nihat chuckles. "My head is spinning after an hour, poor Osman has a whole night ahead of him. Sanem was babbling so much she didn't even notice I left. Just imagine that scene." She shivers and eyes her mother shivering too and shaking her head. Good...she's buying it..

"They're going to be busy the whole night. They should stick to talking during the day so she can come home when she has to."

"Lord Mevkhibe, how are they supposed to catch up if both are working during the day? Look, I think it's good she's spending time with her friend - and she's not far away."

"You're so right daddy," Leyla coos and puts her head on his shoulder. "I agree with you. What else can they do? During the day, she never gets to see Ayhan, so at least let them talk at night, mom."

"Alright, enough," Mevkhibe huffs but still doesn't look like she likes the idea much. There was nothing she could do about it though. "Fine, let her stay. But it's not becoming habit again," she warns.

"Of course not." She nods and sips her tea as Leyla takes a deep breath and sighs. "Okay, well I'm going to bed. I have to wake up early."

"Go on sunflower, go on."

"Good night daddy," Leyla kisses his cheeks. "Good night mom." She kisses Mevkhibe's cheeks too. "Love you both."

"Love you too dear."

She turns and smiles, looking at the gap between them. "What is this hole?" she asks. They glance at each other and away. "You can park a car there. Get a little closer, it's cold."

"We're fine here."

"Yes."

"No I don't like holes. It looks empty. Come on, you move to the left mom, and dad, you move to the right. Let's go." She brings her palms closer and closer as they start to move reluctanly. "That's it...little more...yes. That's it...Okay!" she claps her hands when their arms are touching. "So cute. Love birds. Good night." She blows a kiss and then hurries out.

They sit against each other cuddling their arms and smiling and sighing happily to themselves.

**

It was already nightfall and the moon had risen and Can and Sanem were still walking.

"What did you get us into?" she accuses to herself, shivering a foot away from him. "I can't believe it...some mountain man you are."

"Did you say something Sanem?"