Artemis (CanEm Fan-Fiction)

Chapter Forty-Four

Can had spent the whole day with his Father. Normally, as history dictated, Can would suggest a quaint waterside restaurant where the duo would catch up over fresh fish and a beer or two. In the past they'd done so and occupied a space from midday until midnight, the two of them relishing in one another's company and natural banter. It was a father and son custom, one that had become more and more well-established since Can had been taking his heady trips abroad as a travel photographer. 

However, today, Can was pointedly aware of just how ill his Baba had become. 

Like any other day, Can had awoken as soon as the smallest trace of sunlight filtered into his room. He'd put on his workout gear and headed outside whilst the rest of the Divit house slept soundly. With the warmth settling into Turkey's air, Can preferred to exercise outside instead of the oppressive confines of a gym. He worked up a sweat before heading inside to prepare breakfast ... it was then that he heard it. At first he thought it was Emre watching TV or a commercial from the radio but he soon after discovered that it was his Dad coughing and wheezing as he tried to muster the strength to walk to the bathroom.

"Here, Baba, let me help." As soon as he saw his Father clutching to the sides of the walls in an attempt to walk, Can was by his side. He held onto his waist and practically hiked his weight (which wasn't a lot) up against him. Even though Metin had been the one to tell him that his father was ill, it was now evident and a conversation that Can knew he and his younger brother needed to have with their Dad.  "Why didn't you call me for help?" 

"Because I'm a grown man who doesn't need his son to help him go to the toilet." As always, Aziz was defiant to ignore that he needed help and Can let him be as he went about his morning routine. In fact, Can didn't bring up his father's illness until much later in the day. After the hiccup that was the morning, a smile began to grace Aziz's face that Can couldn't bring himself to take away. It seemed that Aziz found comfort in avoiding his illness and just for a little while, Can helped him do that. Instead of heading out to a restaurant, the pair ordered in and just talked. 

"Have you been keeping up with the football?" Can asked as they flicked through channels over a feast of sushi. 

"No, but I've been keeping up with your love life." Aziz coughed as he tried to swallow a big bite of sashimi. "So, you and Polen got back together, huh?" 

"What?" Can had practically given himself whiplash as he snapped his neck towards his smirking Baba. 

"What? You don't think I read the news?" Aziz shrugged coyly. Truth was, he had been surprised to hear the news of Polen and Can's reconciliation but nevertheless pleased by the news. It wasn't a secret that Aziz had hated Emre's ex-girlfriend, Aylin, so by default, Polen was always the favourite girlfriend. Aziz had taken the time to know her and her relationship with Can and she ticked all of the boxes. Polen was from a good family, she had a good job, she didn't hold Can back from achieving his dreams. "So, are you finally thinking about settling down then?" 

"Look, Baba, it isn't like that-" Can had every intention to tell Aziz about how the media had a misconstrued perception of the truth and the reality was his whirlwind romance with the whimsical and painfully beautiful, Sanem Aydin. He knew once his Baba got to know her, he'd be just as obsessed with her as he was. It was hard not to like Sanem. She was bright and so full of life, it was exactly the type of company that Aziz needed at a time like the current. 

"Oh don't tell me all that crap about how you're not ready for commitment." Aziz clutched at his heart mockingly before letting a serious expression take over his features. Just like how Can had predicted the night before, a solemn mood drifted over them and the duo went from cracking jokes to finally addressing the elephant in the room. "Look, Can, my son, I'm not getting any younger and frankly, neither are you... I know you're not stupid, I know Metin told you about the real reason behind my cruise-" Chemotherapy.