Turkish Love

A Day spent well

Taniz steps away to take a phone call, leaving Cann lost in thought.

“Yeah, she is," Cann murmurs to himself, almost unconsciously.

Taniz returns after his call, interrupting Cann's musings. “You two should get ready for dinner before it gets too late.”

Cann nods and heads back to his room. He dresses in a long black leather coat, pairing it with grey pants and black boots. Letting his mid-length curly hair loose, he gives himself a quick glance in the mirror and heads out.

He knocks on Ritika's door.

When the door opens, Ritika stands there, stunning in a grey bodysuit, paired with black bell-bottom pants and heels.

Cann, momentarily taken aback, stares at her. “Ready for dinner,” he says, pausing before adding with a playful smile, “Have you grown taller in the last two hours?”

Ritika laughs, showing him her heels. “Nope, just a little help from these,” she teases.

Feeling both amused and a little embarrassed, Cann grins and gestures for them to leave. They head downstairs and catch a cab.

As they settle into the back seat, the cab driver glances in the rearview mirror and suddenly exclaims, “Oh my God! Mr. Cann is in my cab! Sir, I’m your biggest fan! I’ve watched all your movies!”

Cann smiles politely, while Ritika can’t help but giggle at the driver’s excitement.

“Thank you so much for your support,” Cann replies warmly.

The driver, still starstruck, keeps sneaking glances at Cann. Ritika, unable to resist teasing him, leans over and whispers, “Looks like someone has a crush on you.”

Cann shoots her a playful glare before turning to the driver. “Could you pull up at the restaurant?” he asks, trying to suppress his laughter.

As the cab rolls through the streets, Cann’s mind keeps wandering back to Ritika, the way she lights up the space around her. He smiles at the thought.

Ritika catches him smiling to himself. “Seems like you’ve got a crush on him now,” she jokes.

Cann laughs and shakes his head. “No, just thinking about something else.”

Ritika grins, her lips twitching in playful curiosity. As if on cue, the driver speaks up again. “Sir, I didn’t realize you had such a beautiful girlfriend.”

Both Cann and Ritika freeze, exchanging awkward glances. Cann clears his throat. “She’s not my girlfriend.”

Without missing a beat, the driver tries to recover. “Oh, I’m sorry! I thought you were married. Your wife is very beautiful—rare beauty here in Turkey.”

Ritika bursts into laughter. Cann watches her, his heart swelling with admiration. He thinks to himself, “Yes, she is rare.”

“Well,” Cann says, glancing at Ritika with a mischievous smile, “I’m not married, but this beautiful woman here could explain how she belongs to me.”

Ritika turns to face him, her eyes locked with his. Cann folds his leg up onto the seat, resting one arm on the backrest, his index finger brushing his lips as he waits for her response.

Ritika meets his gaze, her voice soft but certain. “Cann is home to me.”

The air grows heavy with the weight of her words. Cann’s smile falters, touched by the vulnerability in her statement, but also feeling the guilt of the secrets he keeps from her. Ritika, realizing what she’s just confessed, quickly looks away, the sudden intimacy making her feel exposed.

They both turn to the window, watching the night sky grow darker.

They finally arrive at the restaurant. As they step out of the car, the driver shyly asks for a photo with Cann. Ritika offers to take the picture and has fun instructing Cann to strike different poses, much to the driver’s amusement. But all the while, her gaze keeps drifting back to him.

Inside the restaurant, they are led to a private area reserved just for them, away from the crowds. Cann pulls out a chair for Ritika, and they both sit down. The manager soon approaches, beaming.

“We are honored to have you here, sir. Please enjoy your evening.”

After exchanging pleasantries, the waiter appears. “What would you like to order, sir?”

“Just bring the best vegetarian dish you have,” Cann replies.

As the waiter leaves, Ritika’s eyes narrow as she stares at Cann. He raises an eyebrow. “What?” he asks, sipping his water.

She smiles. “Why did you order vegetarian? Now I feel guilty.”

“Well, you could always eat some chicken with me,” Cann teases, laughing.

Ritika scrunches her nose in mock disdain.

When the food arrives, they both dig in. Cann takes a bite and raises his eyebrows in surprise. “Huh, vegetarian food isn’t that bad. It’s actually delicious.”

“And healthy,” Ritika adds, finishing his thought.

“Oh yes, healthy, Miss Doctor,” Cann says, laughing. As they continue eating, a small bit of food sticks to Ritika’s lips. Cann notices and picks up a napkin.

“Wait, let me get that for you,” he says, gently wiping it away.

Ritika blushes slightly, and Cann chuckles. “I do things like this in movies all the time. Never thought I’d be doing it in real life.”

They share a laugh and finish their meal.

Afterward, Cann calls for a cab, but Ritika stops him. “The weather is nice. Let’s walk back.”

Cann hesitates. “Are you serious?”

Ritika nods enthusiastically. “It’s not cold, and the hotel’s not far.”

Without waiting for his approval, she grabs his hand and starts walking. Cann can’t help but smile, unable to refuse her charm.

“Aren’t your heels hurting by now?” Cann asks after a few minutes.

Ritika stops, slips off her heels, and holds them in her hands. “Not anymore.”

“Can you really walk like that?” Cann asks, surprised.

“We’re on grass. It’s fine. Besides, we’re almost there,” she says.

Cann grins, suddenly feeling adventurous. He slips off his shoes as well and holds them in his hands. “Might as well keep you company.”

Ritika bursts out laughing. They walk barefoot along the grass, laughing and joking as they head back toward the hotel, the world fading away around them.

They finally reach the garden in front of the hotel when Cann realizes Ritika has stopped walking. He looks back and sees her lying on the grass, staring up at the mountains and stars.

Cann pauses, watching her in silence, his heart full.