Early Bird (Erkenci Kus)(Part 4)

57. Unexpected arrival

Everyone eventually took their seats at tables, and started eating, with Mevkhibe holding a plate of dolma out for them to take. "Mrs Huma? Take one. Please help yourself," she says and sits next to her, smiling.

Across from Mevkhibe was Nihat, next to him was Leyla, and next to her, Can and Sanem. Next to Huma was Emre, and next to him was JJ, sitting across from Sanem.

"This is all very tasty," JJ praises and smiles at Melihat next to Sanem. She smiles back and nods, taking a sip of water while chewing.

"Mr Emre?" Emre looks at Leyla and she points at the plate in front of him. "Can you pass that please?"

He lifts his brows and smiles at her, picking up the plate. She takes it and gives him a thankful nod, smiling wider. Nihat eyes her and then Emre.

"You have not taken anything?" Mevkhibe asks and looks at Huma's empty plate.

"Apologies Mrs Mevkhibe, but I'm not used to eating outside in the street like this...And I have no idea who cooked this, for example," she looks at a plate of kofta, "or if they washed their hands." Mevkhibe blinks, her smile stiff.

"Pass me a chop," JJ says and Sanem, glaring at the two women while she ate, holds out a fork. "I said chop," he hisses and she shoots him a look.

Nihat looks at Mevkhibe and Huma beside each other, neither one looking very comfortable. He clears his throat to break the sudden silence. "Mrs Huma," he looks at her, "all the dishes here were prepared with love and care by the inhabitants of the neighborhood. You don't have to worry about it being dirty."

Mevkhibe nods and smiles.

"Mr Can," Nihat points at Can, who has a whole dolma in his mouth, "show the plate of pies next to you." Can does so and lifts the plate. "That was made by Mrs Sanie. Mrs Sanie!" Nihat waves at her at the other table and she waves back, calling for him to enjoy. "And the kofta here," he goes on, "made by Mrs Cemile. Mrs Cemile!" He waves again. "Well done!"

"You're welcome!"

"One dish is as good as the other," Nihat shrugs. "And the dolma," he says and looks at it lovingly, "it was made by my Mevkhibe, of course." He picks one up with his fork and holds it out to her. "Here."

"Oh, no," Huma sits back. "Thank you but...is there no way that I can get a piece of toasted bread?"

Sanem widens her eyes and turns her head to Leyla, as Nihat stares from Huma to his wife.

"Toasted bread?" Nihat asks, shrugging at Mevkhibe in question, who just bites down on her tongue.

"Mom," Emre says under his breath, nudging her with his elbow.

"What?"

"I uhm," Can says after chewing and Nihat looks at him, "I think she meant to say that it's nice to be here having dinner with friends and family." They all stare at him. "Right mom, that's what you said?"

She frowns at him, shaking her head. "I said I want toasted bread, Can."

Mevkhibe chuckles through her teeth, her hands fisting in her lap.

"I thought so," Can nods. "She loves it here." Melihat giggles next to him as he chews again, faster and glares at Huma.

JJ blinks and chimes in. "I heard it too Mr Can."

"Hm," Can hums and nods at him.

Nihat puts down the fork, glancing at Huma with a confused frown.

Emre eyes Nihat and his eyes slide to Leyla, who looked like she was trying not to laugh as she chewed.