INTO THE FIRE

PART 3: QUIET NIGHT IN

Mature content warning.

SANEM POV

I've stopped him in his tracks.

He's sat down with a thud on my sofa.
One towel wrapped around his waist, another one held in his hands and he's looking at me.

I've astounded him with my answer.

I know I'm on medication. I know I sometimes act the fool.
But I understand Can Divit better than anyone.

From the very beginning, even through all his transformations.

My boss, my friend, my infatuation, my Albatross, my love, my loss, my ex, my neighbour, my partner....
I know what he wants.

So what's next?

It's dark now. There's a chill in the air and he's sat in a towel.
Outside, the smoke has begun to creep across into the garden.
The fire has been put out and he has nowhere to go.

I close the sliding doors and lock them, then begin to pull the light drapes across.

"What are you doing now?"

"The smoke, it was coming in. I don't like the smell."

My phone rings.
It's my mum.

"Anne? Yes, I'm fine, I'm fine.
No, no-one needs to come over tonight.
I'm exhausted.
I'm making a drink, quiet night in, alone.
Yes, it is smoky but I've shut the door.... Yes, and locked it.
No one can get in... Or out.
Tell JJ to call me tomorrow.
Yes. I gave him some cream for his arm.
Just a small burn.
He's going to be fine.
I know you do.
Don't be worried.
He's perfectly fine.
I'm perfectly fine too.
Okay.
I love you.
Good night.
Love to Baba.

I blow her a kiss and end the call.
His eyes are burning through me like lasers. They hold on to every piece of information.

Almost as soon as my call ends, his phone rings.
He jumps up, holding his towel looking for his jacket.
It's on the chair.
I reach into his pocket and find his phone, handing it to him. He answers the call, putting it up to his ear.

Baba?
Yes.
She made me some cream.
It's fine.
No, its okay.
It doesn't hurt as much now.
No, don't worry.
I'll sort something.
No, tell her I'm okay.
Really.
Go get some sleep.
No, you can lock up.
I won't need anything more tonight.
Okay.
See you later.
Love you too.
Good night.

He ends the call.

We've said everything we needed to say to each other about tonight via our parents phone conversations. How funny.
I start to giggle.