Early Bird (Erkenci Kus)(Part 4)

54. Hidden intentions

"That's what I've always dreamt about when I think about my wedding, you know," Sanem says with her eyes shining as she tells Can about her perfect wedding, "just a nice, quiet ceremony next to the water with only our closest friends and family."

"That sounds like a great idea to me." Can, who felt a lot calmer now - especially after listening to her babbling away happily after asking to change the subject - takes her hand and links their fingers. He genuinely liked the idea of a small, quiet wedding as much as she did.

Sanem nods and then frowns at him kissing her hand, the excitement from a moment ago nowhere in sight.

"What's wrong?" Can asks and lowers their hands.

"I can't help thinking about our mothers," she admits. Everytime she thought about the kind of wedding she wanted and the kind her mother wants for her, her dream turned to a nightmare.

"Why are you thinking about them?"

Sanem stares at him. Is he serious? "Have you met them? They'll start world war three if we mention having a modest wedding instead of a big celebration."

Can thinks it over and then nods. "You have a point. My mother will think it a small wedding a disgrace in front of society. She'll throw a fit."

Sanem pushes her tongue into her cheek thinking about it. "And my mom won't want to look bad in front of everyone either and prove she can keep up with said society," Sanem looks at Can. "One will accuse the other of some random nonsense and it'll be a blame game from A to B."

"We can always run away?" Can jokes. "Elope?"

"And make it worse?" Sanem shakes her head.

"Okay, well, then we won't tell them what we're planning." He shrugs.  "You're right, they'll start on each other and then on us and it'll get messy. And that sounds horrible."

"Exactly!" she huffs. "You know, at the rate mom's going, the wedding's going to be a three day affair. Like an Indian wedding..."

Can's eyebrows shoot up. "An Indian wedding?" he asks curiously. Sanem frowns again at his sudden grin while he looks her over. "Now that I can get on board with. Plus, you'll look very cute with a red dot on your forehead."

Sanem blinks and then slowly smiles after he touches her head. "You think so?" She may be upset about their mothers and their ideas, but she was still excited about discussing her wedding with her fiancé, even if it was in jest.

"Oh yes. The nonstop dancing, and music. I love the way they dress too. Very colorful, just like you." Can hums and she giggles, before doing a little wiggle. "You'll be so bright I won't even be able to look at you."

Sanem smiles for a moment more and then the excitement fades again right in front of him. "Can, what are we going to do?" she asks seriously, all traces of light hearted joking gone. She loved him for attempting to distract her but the problem was still there. "I can't stop feeling like - "

Can purses his lips and looks at the water behind her. "Okay, listen to me," he sighs and then looks at her again. "I really don't care if we have the wedding here or over there under that tree or on Mars, or if we actually do elope," Sanem scoffs a little, pouting sadly and he makes her look at him. "I just want to marry you already."

Sanem looks into his eyes as he says this with the same amount of seriousness. "Me too."

Can nods lightly.

"And as much as I like talking and joking about it, I keep thinking about our mothers and the fact that they can't seem to get along. At all. Yes they try, but it's not sticking." Sanem frowns at her empty plate and then looks at him again. "I don't want to start our future knowing they're upset about having to get along."