Unexpected Love

Trouble and Pain

Can, why are you here? her voice muffled as she leaned against his chest.

I'm here for you, Sanem. I came for you, he said.

Come away with me, Sanem..

Where, Can?

Anywhere you want to go. Look, I know you and your dad are afraid that I will leave. The truth is, Sanem, when I leave again I want it to be with you. I want to show you the world. Take you to the Galapagos Islands and watch you write your first of many books.

Sanem looked up into his gorgeous eyes. She knew that if she let herself, she could live right there in that moment, drowning in the depth of his gazes. But, again, her heart was at stake.

Can, I don't know how to make this work. Your life, your career is out there, she said, gesturing with her arms wide. My life is very small. It's right here in Positano. My work, my friends. All of it is in this tiny piece of the world.

And more than that. Can, to open my heart again is so scary. It's hard to describe the feeling of abandonment that I live with every day since losing Nicolas. I'm afraid to lose anyone else. I don't know what would happen to me if I did.

Yes, you've opened my heart again to the possibility. I won't lie. You've broadened my horizons and perspective and that change has inspired me to write again. It's you. It's all because of you, Sanem continued.

Smiling from ear to ear, Can said, And I want to do more than that, Sanem. I've told you that I'm in love with you. I don't want to scare you and say too much too soon, but please believe me when I say that when I look at my future, you're in it. 

Sanem looked at him in wonder. He's offering me so much more than I thought or could imagine, she thought.

Why, Can? Why do you want this with me? We haven't spent that much time together. I don't understand. You don't really know me, Sanem said.

Deciding that it was time that he told her everything, taking both her hands in his, Can explained, Sanem, listen to me. I haven't wanted to share too much before now because I wasn't sure how you would take it. But right now in this moment, I need you to understand something so I can answer your question fully.

After pausing for a minute or two, Can spoke.

I fell for you back in high school, Sanem, he said calmly and clearly. Sanem just shook her head, her brows furrowing in confusion.

In high school? I mean you joked about making Farah sign up to be my study partner but I wasn't clear about...

Cutting her off, Can said, That wasn't a joke, Sanem. I fell for you months before you showed up at my house with Farah. I bribed her with favors to get her to keep you coming to the house but I noticed you long before that.

Can then spent a long time describing how he knew that she loved books, naming many of the ones he'd seen her reading and how they were some of his favorites too, something that he marveled about at the time. 

He saw her generous heart to others describing times that he watched her live that out. He shared about the times he would see her become passionate about different subjects in her classes. How she treated his Mom when she visited. He described all the qualities about her that he fell for so many years ago.

When he was finished, he chuckled at her sweet face so full of surprise and wonder.

You saw all of that in me? She said. You noticed all of those things? I can't believe it. I really am lost for words at this moment. Really??