Regret - Part II

Regret - Part 5

" Slowly raise your legs, yes Sanem very good. Just a little more, little more... You can do it. Come on where is the fighter I have always known? Don't give up so easily...." Sinan coaxed Sanem into yet another set of leg extensions.
" You are doing so well darling... "
" Sinan.. " Sanem gasped. "..I can't anymore. I am in a lot of pain..Sorry!" Sanem collapsed on her bed. Both Sinan and she had been going through her daily exercises for an hour now and Sanem was exhausted.
"One last set... You can do it."
" My legs are literally on fire Sinan.. "
" Let's see, I will massage the cramps away but I will only release you after one more set" Sinan said sternly but ended up smiling up at Sanem as he started to work on her sore leg muscles.
" Sinan you have a magic touch... " Sanem closed her eyes with releaf as the painful muscles in her legs slowly started to giveaway under the competent ministrations of Sinan.
"Sanem, dear are you ready?" Both Ayhan and Can entered Sanem's room and froze at the tableau in front of them. Ayhan looked away to hide her embarrassment but Can looked positively murderous.
" I think Sanem needs to get ready now. She has been discharged and needs to leave as soon as possible." Can announced belligerently.
" I am aware of that Mr. Can.." Sinan answered calmly not appearing the least bit intimidated at the face of such blatant antagonism, "..but Sanem needs to finish her session first. Good news is we are almost done!"
" Uff.. " Sanen exclaimed as Sinan probed at yet another painful knot.
" Enough! Can't you see she is in pain?" Can all but hauled Sinan away from Sanem and touched her injured legs with incredibly gentle hands.
"Are you alright Sanem? Are you in pain? " Can asked Sanem anxiously.
" I am ok Can Bey. Really..." Sanem looked apologetically at Sinan while answering Can.
"I'll get the nurse to help you... " Can pinned Sinan with a cold stare before going out of the room.
"Well Well... That was intense!!" Sinan murmured under his breath. He turned and winked at Sanem with an impish grin spreading across his boyishly handsome face, "I am letting you off today my friend, but tomorrow is another day." Sinan sauntered out of the room whistling off key.
"If I were you Sanemcim, I would change my therapist pronto" Ayhan grinned wickedly at her.
"Oh to have such a gorgeous man like Can Bey acting all possessive about you...you are one lucky girl Sanem!"
"I don't feel that lucky Ayhan.. " Sanem said in a low voice. "..and I don't just mean the accident Ayhan, I... " Sanem stopped mid sentence as Can re entered the room with a nurse in tow.
"I think you can wait outside. I will inform you once the patient is ready.." the nurse informed a hovering Can. He looked at Sanem with a strange expression before nodding at the nurse and walked out of the room.
" Is he your fiance?" the nurse asks Sanem. "He was very worried about you and kept hounding the doctors at all times for your prognosis." The nurse deftly helped Sanem to change into clothes Ayhan had brought for her. "Hold onto this one, he is a keeper! " the nurse whispered conspiratorially before going out of the room leaving a bemused Sanem in her wake.
"I have to agree with her on that.." Ayhan piped in.
"Just shut up will you!" Sanem said crossly.
"And where is Anne. She was supposed to come today..."
" And she did.." Mevkive entered the room with a smile on her face, "..Osman and me were just speaking to the doctors outside." Mevkive turned towards Ayhan with a smile, "Ayhan, daughter, can you go and inform Can that Sanem is ready to leave?" Ayhan nodded once before moving out of the room leaving them on their own.
"Do you still think staying at Can's house is a good idea?" Mevkive asked Sanem as soon as Ayhan left the room.
"Anne.. I" Sanem started to speak only to realize that Mevkive hadn't finished speaking.
" I realize that his house is suitable for you in your present condition but I worry... " Mevkive looked at Sanem with concern. "...He is very charming and accepting but we come from very different worlds. There is no parity no match... "
" Anne please. I don't think it is relevant really. "
" Don't Anne me Sanem. I have seen this world more than you. I have been in love too daughter and I can recognize love when I see it" Mevkive finished quitely.
" But Can Bey doesn't love me Anne, and neither do I... "Sanem finished in a small voice looking down to hide the tears that could give away her lie.
Little did she realize that there was another unfortunate audience to her ill oppertuned lie.
"The formalities are complete, I think we are ready to leave" Can wheeled in the chair near Sanem's bed. He appeared somber and didn't look at Sanem as he helped her on the chair. Ayhan and Osman looked at Sanem with identical smiles as she was wheeled out of the room by Can and Mevkive.
They all walked towards the elevators in silence. Once they reached the underground parking lot, Can helped Sanem into the car but still didn't speak to her other than confirming that she was comfortable. He did everything without once looking her in the eye. Having seated everyone, Can climbed behind the wheels and started the car. The ride home was accomplished mostly  in silence with an occasional annecdote from Ayhan or Osman. Soon they reach Can's house...
Once again Can acted like the perfect gentleman, he pulls out the wheel chair and helped Sanem onto it. He then wheeled it into his house and ushered them all to the room that would likely be occupied by Sanem and Leyla for the next couple of days.
Leyla had already setup everything for Sanem in the room and she rushed to hug her as soon as she was wheeled in.
"Sanem, I brought most everything that you might need. I can always go back or Anne, Ayhan or Osman can get them for you later.. " Leyla spoke excitedly.
Sanem looked around the room and then tried to focus on all the voices speaking around her. She felt kind of restless. " Why was Can not looking at her... " she thought distractedly. However her thoughts were short lived as Can carried in tea for everyone in the room. "Can, son I cannot thank you enough.. "
" You call me son and then you thank me..not acceptable!" Can smiled at Mevkive. " Still, I thank you Can for everything that you have done for us."
Mevkive hugged Can dearly. Sanem looked away unable to endure the poignant moment unfurling before her eyes.
"If only.. "
"Do you need anything Sanem?" Can askd Sanem causing her to realize that she had spoken out loud.
"No, nothing" Sanem answered with a smile but Can just nodded at her before looking away. His remoteness oddly hurt Sanem and she couldn't stop herself from thinking if he was already regretting his offer to let her stay at his place.
" I hope I recover quickly Anne. Then I can return home sooner... " Sanem blurted out. Ayhan and Osman gave her strange looks but do not say anything.
" I will pray to Alla that he grants you good health quickly my daughter" Mevkive kissed Sanem on the head and got up from the bed.
" I will be leaving now Sanem. Be a good girl and don't disturb Can until absolutely necessary." Mevkive smiled indulgently at Sanem before walking out of the room with Osman and Ayhan.
"I'll have to leave too Sanem. There are tons of paper work at the office.. " Leyla looked apologetically at Sanem.
"It's ok abla. I will manage." Sanem smiled reassuringly at Leyla who then promptly excused herself and left for the office.
Sanem sat alone in the room listening to the fading foot steps of every body as they all take their leave.
A strange feeling of helplessness settled over Sanem and she soon found herself weeping for all that might have ever been...
" Sanem I will be working in the hall.." Sanem heard Can say as he entered the guest room.
"Sure Can Bey.. " Sanem tries to hide her tears but Can nevertheless glimpses a betraying drop.
" Please don't cry Sanem.. " he says in an anguished voice. " I know you will get better soon and you wouldn't have to endure my presence for another day beyond that.. "
" It's not that Can... " Sanem frowns as his words penetrate her conscience.
"I will ensure that you recover at haste and can go back to your parents house. I know how much you miss them alteady." Can moves away from the bed and makes his way towards the door, "I will let you be on your own. Call me if you need anything!" having uttered those words Can slowly closes the door behind him.
Sanem feels as if a giant rock has been placed on her chest and she cannot breathe. She had been so happy initially when Can had first suggested that she stay in his house. Then in the cold light of the morning the doubts had started to creep in. Guliz's tendency to gossip hadn't helped matters either. Jeyda was a constant presence in the office. She was always coming to the office and had recently gifted Jan with a very rare camera...
Maybe Can now regretted his offer. He may have voiced it out of guilt. Why else would he want her to get better soon and be gone from here...
As more of the doubts begin to surface Sanem cannot control the tears that run in rivulets down her cheeks.......
For the first time Sanem feels defeated with no hope, no happiness to look forward to.....

To be continued...