Early Bird (Erkenci Kus)(Part 4)

48. Keeping it secret

'Love cannot be put onto just one page. Until today, what novel could hold love like that? A true love story can only be written across multiple pages - from beginning to end - if it is to be described right.

But what words can describe our love. No amount of ink or pages can do that.

Pictures speak a thousand words and memories live a thousand lives... Any love worth talking about or writing about is true. A heart in love is precious and must be protected...'

Sanem smiles and looks up from her diary before closing it. She opens her desk drawer and takes out the handcrafted gift she's been working on for weeks now. It was a book of sorts of her own - it was going to be one with memories and pictures. She wanted to give Can something special, and thoughtful that reminded him of their time together and the love they've experienced - and it might not be something elegant like Polen's but she was going to give it to him anyway.

She opens the box with the pictures and smiles. Then opens another box with other crafting items like stickers and scrapbooking materials.

She carefully goes through each picture and in her mind, they tell her their story as she pastes them after kissing each one. She still had a few missing ones that she had to add but she needed Emre to get those.

And then she writes her final note in front as dedication.

'My love,

Every one of these pictures and momentos reminds me of the way you hold my hand...the way you breathe next to me...the way you smell...and the way you laugh.

They remind me that all that you are is what I am.

May they remind you that you are me and I am you too. I thank the day you came into my life and took over my heart like an Albatross takes over the skies. You were born to be mine and I was born to be yours

Happy birthday

I love you,

Your Sanem'

Sanem smiles at her message, so full of love and pride that she nearly jumps out of her skin when her door suddenly opens. "What?!" she demands and puts her arms over the gift.

"It's us," Leyla chuckles, coming in behind Ayhan.

"Don't you know how to knock?" she gasps.

"Why? We never have before," Ayhan snorts. "And why should we? Are you hiding something?" She tries to see past Sanem's arm as Leyla also peeks over her shoulder.

"No," Sanem blushes.

"Let us see," Ayhan pries her away from leaning over.

"Don't - "

"Come on, move."

"Leave it!"

Ayhan manages to get it out from under her.

"Can't I have anything personal from you?" Sanem asks and tries taking it back but Ayhan was already stepping away and Leyla was also looking at it. Sanem groans and moves to her bed to sit down with a huff as they stare at it and look through the pictures.

"Oh my God," Ayhan gushes.

"This is so cute," Leyla pouts and turns the page. "Sanem," she breathes in awe and shakes her head.

"This is so beautiful," Ayhan agrees and smiles. They turn and come to join a pouting Sanem.

"You really like it?" she asks after a second and smiles shyly. "Tell the truth."