Early Bird (Erkenci Kus)(Part 4)

56. Osman is leaving

"Have a good day," the elderly women say over their shoulders, leaving the store and waving at Mevkhibe.

"Thank you," she says in return, bending to unpack more stock from where she sat behind the counter.

"St John's wart oil," Can announces after finally finding the item the two remaining customers asked for. "Here you go," he hands it over, "I hope it works fast."

Sanem watches, playing with a carved bar of soap. They've been waiting for a while now to talk to her mother. Every time they thought they could, someone would come in. It was all just too coincidental to her - and she had a feeling that it was because they wanted to come and ogle Can.

"No no," Can says and refuses the money Mrs Sulya wants to give him. "It's on the house. A gift for your loyalty, right?" He looks at Mevkhibe who nods at him that it was okay. "Right."

"Mevkhibe? This is your future son in law, am I right?"

Ha! See? I knew it! Sanem puts a hand on her lips to stop from laughing outright.

"Oh yes, this is him," Mevkhibe says with a proud smile.

"Son, come here," Mrs Sulya beckons Can down, touching his arm and he bends to listen. She however doesn't say anything, she instead squeezes his bicep. "May God keep you," she says with an appreciative tone. "You are very sturdy."

"Uhm," Can blinks and she moves to his thighs, touching him there too. "I grew up swimming a lot."

"I see that. You're very well proportioned."

"Hm," he hums. "Well, thank you."

Good Lord, Sanem cringes as she looks out the window while they prod Can, who is way too polite for his own wellbeing in allowing them.

"Sanem, dear?" Sanem looks at the two women smiling and nodding. "Congratulations. All the best to you both."

"Amen," Can nods, folding his hands in front of him, just in case they want to feel in other more private places. "Amen," he repeats when they thankfully don't.

"Thank you so much," Sanem smiles sweetly and looks at the soap again.

"When's the wedding?" Mrs Sulya asks, looking up at Can and trailing her eyes down to his feet and back up.

"Very soon," he answers. "Very, very soon."

"Actually - "

"Hold on!" Mevkhibe interrupts and jumps up, making all four look at her. "Don't say anything!" she glares at Hulya and Sana. "Why are you asking about the wedding anyway? It's way too early. They just got engaged. We're still getting used to that, let alone talks about weddings."

Sanem looks from her mother to Can, who was also frowning hearing this. It sounded like they were going to have the same problem here as they did with his mother.

And it was concerning.

"If we do get around to talking about it eventually, we'll send out invitations and you'll get all the details you want there." Mevkhibe claps her hands and then points at the door. "We'll let you know. Now go on, tell everyone else that too so they don't come asking. Go on."

"Mom," Sanem sighs as Mevkhibe rounds the counter to come and walk them out.

"It'll be soon, though," Can assures the women slowly moving to leave. "Don't worry."

"Alright."

"Okay, good." They say in unison and  he nods, looking away at Sanem and then at Mevkhibe helping them out while they complain before moving to stand next to her.