Early Bird (Erkenci Kus)(Part 4)

46. How to ruin a conversation

JJ gulps nervously, having gone into one of the offices in the back so he could call Ayhan. He takes a deep breath and dials, checking the door as he does. He even changed out his number for a different one so she wouldn't know it was him.

"Hello?"

"Ayhan Isik?" he asks when she answers.

"Thwa's me?" It sounded like she was chewing.

"Uhm, I want to take advantage of you."

"Whot? Who the whell are yew?! Whot mwakes," she audibly swallows whatever she had in her mouth, "you think you can do anything with me?! Who are you?" she yells upsetly.

Oh God... "I meant, I want to take advantage of this opportunity," he corrects himself. "I have a problem, and I need to discuss it with you."

"Oh... Okay, I see, this is about me being a life coach? Okay, uhm," Ayhan clears her throat, "What's your name? It'll make it easier."

What's my name...? What's my name...? "Uhm, Yusuf."

"Mr Yusuf? Okay, well, Mr Yusuf, can I ask your last name too?"

Damn it Ayhan! I'm anxious enough as it is! "Yusuf," JJ repeats.

"Yes, you said that, but that's your name, I need your last name."

"It's Yusuf," JJ huffs and starts pacing.

"Hm, that's weird."

"Yes it is. My parents hated me so they called me Yusuf Yusuf." With his legs suddenly numb, JJ grabs a chair and sits down, frowning.

"Well, I guess it happens," Ayhan then sighs and seems to shake off his strange name, "Alright, tell me, Mr Yusuf, do you have any phobias? For example, are you afraid to meet face to face?"

"Why yes, I do, how did you know?"

-

Ayhan listens to Yusuf chuckling a little, nodding to herself.

"Sometimes it cripples me. It's very difficult for me to face some people. And I'm tired of it." There's a slam and then a pained hiss. "Ouch!"

Hmm... 'Yusuf' sounded very familiar to Ayhan but she couldn't place him right away.

"How did you know this?"

"Practice," Ayhan shrugs. "I've been around people like this. Listen, Mr Yusuf? What is it that you want from me exactly?"

"Er...I... well, I want to be well."

"I don't understand?" Ayhan frowns.

"It's this...problem... I want it to go away. I always end up in hospitals and even though I try not to, it never changes...it just happens again...I want it to change..."

"Okay," Ayhan sits back and thinks it over for a second, "okay, this is what we'll do then, Mr Yusuf...I'll take a look at my diary and we can arrange a meeting."

"Oof," Yusuf huffs, "Uhm, sorry but that's not possible...I'm busy that day."

"But we haven't even decided on which day yet?" Ayhan frowns again but then hears a little squeak on his side. "Alright, uhm, let's do it on a day that's convenient for you then? How about that?" This Yusuf really didn't sound like he liked meeting people and she wondered if he had a job - that could be a problem for him.

"How about we don't meet and just talk over the phone? I'm very shy, see, I can't...I get anxious around new people."

"Look, I understand what you're saying," she assures him as he explains in a panic, "but without me seeing you and talking to you in person, I'm afraid I can't help you."