Untamed Love

CHAPTER 11 - The Stubborn Ones

The next day Can waited since the early morning hours for Sanem to come. But she never did. He tried to be patient and get himself busy by exploring the surroundings, catching fish and picking fruits. He reasoned with himself thinking that she just needed time or that she was otherwise engaged in town. But truth was, as the hours went by and she was nowhere to be seen he started to get worried. What if something had happened to her? After all, she had bumped her head quite badly the day before and could barely stand on her own two feet. What if she was lying unconscious somewhere near?

By midday, he couldn't take it any more so he went to look for her. He looked in every corner, behind every bush. But the more he looked the more it felt like he was going round in circles. After a couple of hours tearing leaves, pushing past branches and scrutinizing every inch of soil his feet landed on, he admitted on being lost. The fact that he had passed by the same big bulky tree for the third time in a row probably further strengthened that feeling.

That was just his luck. Now he couldn't find her and in his clouded state of mind he had not marked his tracks clearly which meant that it would probably take him more time than needed to get back to the hut. He needed to find a way back soon, before darkness fell on the forest which would be in about less than two hours. After a few minutes of rest, he went back to work.

He managed to get back to the hut without much grief after he discovered one of his own tracks leading up to it. He made sure to cover them up after himself this time to avoid any unwanted people wandering around to find out his whereabouts. He spent the remaining of his afternoon pacing back and forth, before going to take a cold swim in the river to clear his mind. He couldn't help but think that maybe he had been too harsh with Sanem. After all, she had only meant him good ever since he had met her and she cared for his safety. Besides, she did know this forest and its inhabitants more than anyone and especially more than him that was for sure.

Dusk finally came and he still had no news from town. At least – he thought – if anything had happened to her, one of her friends, either Osman or that Bulut guy would have come to tell him. They wouldn't just let him in the dark like this. He was roasting two fishes that he had caught earlier for dinner when he heard the crackling sound of a branch being stepped upon nearby.

He scanned the shadows looking for any sign of the being that had caused the sound soon enough, the shape of a man appeared from the woods but he couldn't quite make out his features. Therefore, Can grabbed a flaming torch and waved it in front of him in self-defence. At least the man was alone which was a relief: he would have no trouble neutralizing him now that he had his strength back.

"Whoa! Easy there Can! It's me. Osman."

Can lowered his arm slightly. The man in front of him was dark-haired, with a light stubble and mischievous yet smart eyes. He was tall but not nearly as tall as Can. Although he had only ever heard his voice, Can knew that he could consider him a friend. Or at least an ally here. The other man slowly lowered his own when he saw Can relax from his defensive stand.

"Osman? What are you doing here? Is Sanem alright?"

"She is."

Can frowned. "You are not hiding...or making me hide... Did she... tell you what happened?"

"She did. Kind of. I don't know everything that you said to her though but man was she angry."

Can sighed. At least she was fine.

"We fought."

"That much was clear."

"She is very stubborn that one. She wants me to leave. I told her that I was ready to go to your village and show myself if that was what concerned her but she refused to listen to me. After all, you are friendly with me and so were your doctor... Remi...de? Don't you think she is exaggerating? I know strangers are not welcome in the forest and especially in Mahalle but it's been going on for almost twenty years. Maybe it's time to move on. Don't you think?"