Early Bird (Erkenci Kus)(Part 4)

44. Trying to tell and failing

The next morning, Sanem and Leyla set the breakfast table together, making sure everything was just right and looked good. They decided to treat their parents to breakfast and at the same time tame them for their respective news bombs.

"There we go," Sanem smiles as she puts a dish down. "I really hope mom's better this morning."

Leyla looks at her and blinks once in agreement, setting her own dish down on the table. "I'm sure she is. And if not, this," she waves over the spread, "will certainly do the trick. I mean - "

"Mevkhibe, come on, stop acting like this," they hear Nihat's voice coming down the hall and Leyla turns to peek around the open door while Sanem throws her arms out to the sides to show off what they did. "It was just a dream."

Mevkhibe enters first with Nihat behind her, trying to tie a band around her head while she pouts, her slippers shuffling. "Tighten it more Nihat, it's too loose, I can't stand the throbbing anymore."

Nihat huffs but tightens the band. "It's as tight as it can be, Mevkhibe, your head's going to look like a crushed can and you'll pass out."

Sanem and Leyla look at each other and then Sanem hurries to pull out a chair for Mevkhibe. "Morning mom," she smiles.

"I don't care," Mevkhibe says as she sits down, and Sanem moves back to her spot. "Pull it Nihat."

He pulls it tight as she moans in relief. Leyla pulls his chair out and waits, while Sanem tries to draw attention to the food. "Here daddy, sit down," Leyla smiles at him and he smiles back, taking his seat.

"Thank you honey."

"Hm hm," Leyla nods and goes to help Sanem dish up.

"Some egg," Sanem mutters as she scoops food into Nihat's plate. "Some tomato..."

"Your mother had a dream," Nihat informs them as Mevkhibe takes a deep breath with her eyes closed. Sanem glances at Mevkhibe just as she opens her eyes.

"Not a dream," she corrects, "a nightmare. I had a nightmare! I couldn't sleep a wink."

Sanem feeds Nihat a piece of cheese which he chews happily as Leyla hands over his plate.

"I dreamt I was rich, and I was throwing money around and spending it like it was no one's business - I hated feeling like that woman..." Mevkhibe wrinkles her nose and holds up her hands.

"Oh," Sanem blinks and sits down, keeping the smile on her face. "But having money is good too."

"No," Mevkhibe states firmly, "I don't ever want to be that wealthy. I don't. I can't handle it."

Sanem pushes a piece of toast in her mouth, staring at her mother. How on Earth was she going to tell her mother she was marrying Can.

"Come now Mevkhibe, it's not that bad. Plus if it's God's will to have money, then why would you say no?" Nihat asks. "Would He give you something you can't handle? I mean, we can be rich, we just don't have to be the kind of rich they are," he shrugs. "Right girls?"

"Hm," Leyla hums, plating some olives onto her plate.

"Dad's right," Sanem says after swallowing, "being rich and being rich are different things. Not all rich people are the same. Some are born that way and others become that way."

"Exactly my little bee, exactly." Nihat points at her. "Just look at Osman, for example," he goes on and Leyla looks at him, sighing inwardly. "He became rich and he's still the same man. He hasn't changed one bit." Leyla puts an olive in her mouth and chews fast, looking at her plate.