The consequences of falling

Chapter 9

That evening... all over the place...

Coaxing Can to leave the building without waiting for Sanem was hard. For some reason, the love-sick giant was convinced that he only needs to 'explain everything to Sanem' and all would be great again. Emre wasn't sure what that 'everything' was but he was sure that a) it's never that easy in love – otherwise he and Leyla would've been together ten 'explanations' ago and b) if Sanem was open for such a conversation she would not hide in her office. All-n-all, things didn't look good for his brother who was failing to notice the signs. In the end, Emre had to call in the Brother Code (which he didn't even know they had but it worked so apparently...) and to drag Can to his car. Can's car was left at the office parking lot as Emre couldn't trust him with driving today.

Evening was spent drinking, shouting proclamations and threats to the night skies, plotting their respective comebacks and overall wallowing in self-pity. Can drilled Emre about what he'd missed in Sanem's life over the past month, mostly asking about any new men in her life, especially that one, tall-dark-and-handsome, he saw today – but Emre avoided answering these questions out of self-appointed loyalty towards Aydin family. The only thing he did share was this:

- You know, brother... I love you beyond words and it pains me to say... but you may not be good enough for her...

Can stood up and raised his fist with the clear intention to cave Emre's nose into his skull – but before he could do that, younger brother added:

- She was a shadow of herself when you'd left. I've never seen her so... non-existent. I thought it was only me who's... but no – we BOTH screwed up royally!

Can has fallen to the couch defeated. His hand was trembling as he reached for his glass, his voice equally shaken:

- But I... I can fix this. I'm back and I will never let her go!

Emre half-smiled into his glass and took a big gulp. Amber liquid burned his insides and he'd noticed – not for the first time these last few months – that he doesn't feel the taste of alcohol anymore, just the burning. Must be a side-effect of not feeling colors of life anymore...

- You know, Can, if only it was about not letting go... And 'fixing it'... I'm afraid it's us that need fixing, not them or even the situation. WE have made a whole lot of mess with these women and even if we have one more chance – it will be it. One LAST chance. Thread carefully, big brother.

Can nodded absentmindedly... The rest of the evening they didn't talk much. Just drank. Unfortunately, there wasn't enough alcohol in the house to drink all their sorrows away.