Love, Protect and Trust...The Divit Way

Chapter Twelve

The presentation was a huge success, it was the event of the season. Fikri Harika would be the talk of the town for quite some time. Deren was basking in the lime light, willing to take all the praise for Sanem's brilliant ideas. Ceyda was ready to get the competition going, compiling all the participants and busing them to the camp site. Deren and Ahmet packed up and got ready to catch their flight. She made another phone call to Can, to fill him in on the success of the ad campaign. He was elated for their company, and so proud of Sanem. " So, was there a large crowd, " he inquired. " And I bet Taner was the center of attraction, he's such a jerk." He spouted. Deren hesitated, " No Can, Taner wasn't even there, they said he had urgent business and wasn't able to attend." Can perked up, " Oh, really, so he won't be on this climb?" He asked. " As far as I know, he returned to Istanbul, some family function." Deren stated.  "Istanbul?"  He said, surprised to hear that, " I didn't know he had any family there. That's strange."  Deren wished him luck on the climb and they hung up. He sighed, " Istanbul,...hmm." He thought.  He heard the bus pull in and went out to greet the group.

Ceyda was the first one off the bus, dressed in her climbing gear. He was stunned, " What is she doing her, this is great, now I have her to put up with." She bounded over to Can, threw her arms around his neck and placed a kiss so close to his mouth it shocked him. He pulled away, glancing around as everyone stared. She introduced all the team to each other, proudly stating,   " This is Can Divit everyone, you probably know him from his famous photography, and he's also a phenomenal mountain climber. She linked her arm in his, beaming with pride, at the image she portrayed. Can stepped away, releasing her arm. He felt his anger start to build, " How dare her cling all over me like that. So this was her game," he thought. He had half a mind to leave and show her he was tired of her games. She divided the group into teams, of course paring herself with Can. One of the other team participants asked, " Ceyda, where is Taner, will he not participate in the climb? " he asked. She shot a look at Can, then shifted her eyes around in a nervous twitch. " No, Taner had some urgent family business to take care of, so I will stand in for him." She stuttered. Her actions puzzled Can, she seemed on edge and nervous, making him even more suspicious. She announced, " Yes, everyone, the competition will begin at 12:00. So let's get ready to climb." She yelled. 

Sanem was ready to call it a day, she was nervous, with Can not there in the office she was worried about what kind of problem would come up. She left with everyone else, and grabbed her bus, she wished she was going to Can's house for dinner, but home to her parents would be her destination. At least for another few days. Her stomach fluttered at the thought. She decided to take a walk along the pier, just to clear her head before heading home. She loved the pier, she found her a bench and sat for awhile. All the thoughts of the wedding and agency wandered through her mind, but she was startled as someone walked up close behind her. She turned to see Taner, " Taner, what are you doing here, why aren't you in Kayseri at the competition."  She asked him, as the tiny hairs on her body stood up and her guard began to rise.   He smiled, " I have a surprise for you, you're not going to believe it." He spouted. She stood to leave, " No, no, don't leave, here take my hand. " He urged. " Taner, what do you want, I need to get home, mom will be worried about me."  " Ah, Sanem, I've taken care of everything, I already told aunt Mevkibe that you'll be going with me." He demanded. " Taner, I'm not going with you, do you understand," she yelled. " This is my surprise, Sanem, I'm taking you to Kayseri, to meet with Can." It's my wedding gift to you, you can spend a couple of days alone with your Can, it's all been planned out." He told her with excitement.  Her mind was racing, " What do I do, is he telling me the truth, I don't know if I can believe him or not. "  She thought frantically. He took her arm and led her towards his car, " It's fine Sanem, we have everything prepared for you, you don't have to take a thing,  just come with me." She was shaking, unable to break his grip. She was paralyzed in fear, her feet couldn't move so he almost dragged her to the car. 

They had completed the first leg of the competition, and was ready to make camp for the night. Can wasn't on his game at all, the whole Taner thing just didn't set well with him. And then there was Ceyda, making a fool of herself. He pitched his small tent and got settled in. He rang Sanem's phone, he knew she would be anxious to hear from him. It went straight to voice mail. Ok, he thought, give her a minute and try again. Everyone was gathering around the fire to get better acquainted, but he needed to talk to Sanem first. He rang again, still straight to voice mail. He called Emre, " Hey, Emre, is Sanem with you, or is she still at the office? " He questioned. " No Abi, no she's not with me, and we all left the office together a couple of hours ago.  She doesn't answer her phone?" He asked. Can began panic, " Emre, where was she going, did she say, ...think, did she say anything." He yelled. Emre thought, " No, I think she was just going home, I guess. Just calm down, Abi. She's fine I'm sure. Just give it a minute." He said. Can took a deep breath, that little twinge that had been hidden down deep inside him was getting bigger, that twinge of fear of something happening to her. He called Mevkibe, " Mom Mevkibe, has Sanem made it home yet, she's not answering her phone."  Her mother welcomed Can, " Can, son no, she's not here yet, we have been waiting dinner for her, but.  He jumped up, " When did you talk to her last, do you remember what time." He stammered. " Oh, I guess it was late afternoon, she said she would be home for dinner. Leila had plans with some friends so she was coming home alone, Can, do you think something has happened to her." She cried. He swallowed his fear and answered, " No, don't get upset, she probably stopped somewhere first. She'll be home soon. I'll keep trying to call her. He disconnected from her and covered his face with his hands. Why had he come on this stupid climb anyway, now he's hundreds of miles away and he doesn't know what's going on. He rang her phone again......

He was getting a call..maybe it was Sanem, .....As he looked at his phone he saw it was a video message from Taner......

Why is he messaging me.....he wondered, as he tapped the open button.....