The consequences of falling

Chapter 19

On the way from home to home...

Silence was comfortable between them. Can would cast a sideline glance at Leyla and see her smile in that soft saturated way that signified happiness. And by the way his brother looked today when Can came back home, Can knew they were on the way to something really good! Can shook his head in disbelief – sure it took two completely different brothers to fall in love with two completely different sisters! Who would've predicted something like this a year ago? Certainly, not Can himself!

But this one... this quiet girl who never ever caused any trouble – according to Sanem – actually managed to challenge his mischievous brother to be good! As much as Sanem did to turn Can towards his family and give Emre second chance – as much Leyla did to bring out the best in Emre.

Can cleared his throat and said with just a hint of constraint:

- Um, Leyla?

- Yes, Can-bey?

- I just wanted... I don't know how to say it... Umm... I guess, I just wanted to thank you. You know, for my brother.

Leyla's face froze in confused and even horrified expression. Too late Can understood that his awkward gratitude may have been construed as him thanking her for whatever has happened tonight between Emre and her – Allah forbids, she might think he knows the details! Or that he's thanking her on Emre's behalf! In any case, no good!

- Oh, no, Leyla, I meant in general! You know, I can see how Emre changed because of you and I think he's much happier now and all. I mean...

All of it should have been weird to say out loud... especially to someone he didn't know that well. But it was Leyla! The most important person for TWO most important people in Can's life! Somehow, that made it feel just right – to talk to her like this.

- I mean... I'll always love him, he's my brother. But I have to admit – I don't always like him. He can be... He's a smart guy, really smart, I'm really proud of him.

Leyla nodded in agreement and Can could see how Leyla's face lit up at this admission. She really cared for his brother! Can continued:

- You know how sometimes he can use his brain to do something...

Can silenced, trying to find a synonym for the word 'evil', he really didn't want to say it. Can prayed to Allah those days were behind them!

Leyla helped:

- ... unsavory? Problematic? Shady?

- Yeah, all of it! But I feel like he'd turned over the new leaf when you came into his life. So... umm... thank you!

Leyla smiled and looked at the road ahead of them. Can figured she wasn't comfortable discussing her role in Emre's transformation, so he decided to shut up and drive.

Turned out, Leyla was merely thinking over her reply – she did it a lot, he'd noticed, the 'thinking over' part. Sanem was different – she'd just say whatever crossed her mind. Leyla's words were more calculated – but just as sincere. Can believed she was choosing her words carefully to be polite, but not to hide anything.

- Can-bey, if I may... It's really not my place to give you advice on how to be in your family... Yours is very different from mine, and I know it...

Can scoffed – didn't he know it too! Their family were poles apart! Aydin family was a crazy close-knit tangle of people – while Divit family faired best when apart. But Can craved the closeness of the family bond, he genuinely wanted to have that – with his brother especially – so if Leyla had any advice on how to get there, he'll take it: