A LEAP OF THE EARLY BIRD

A defeated rival...

What could be said about rivalry? It is challenging? It is a part of life? It is completely unnecessary? Those who understand the meaning of rivalry oftentimes choose not to fight at all because they know that if an argument cannot be solved by reason or words, it cannot be solved by screaming out one's superiority either. No matter how much the rival tries to diplay or point out that they hold the upper hand...

There were many things that could be said about Sanem. But being conceided was not one of them. She was neither selfish, nor self-righteous. She put others' needs above hers. That was one of the reasons why Can fell for her. Her sincerity, kindness, and shyness were so pure that she captured his heart by simply being herself. Added to that was the fact that Can never met anyone whose mind could come up with a dozen ideas in a moment, and then turn around and refuse any kind of ownership or credit for them. What he did not know was that beneath the surface of an aloof and confident Sanem, she had a sould of a shy dreamer who was discovering her own strengths. She came from a close-knit community with its traditions but also limitations. She was taught from a very young age not to give up, but also not to stick out her neck too far out toward the stars. What was out of reach, would always be just that. She took the job at Fikri Harika out of necessity. But now she realized how fortunate she was for fate to have brought her there. Not only because of Can. That place had an indescribable energy. Its own universe. She thrived there and the more time she spent there, the more inspired she was becoming. The fact that Can himself believed in her made it that much more special. And knowing both of them stayed and had not left meant she was able to gaze in his direction whenever she felt the need for it. And vice-versa...

A day's work meant a day of happy rush for Sanem. She made copies, she made tea, she cleaned up dust. But she now was part of the new add campaign. As unbelievable as it seemed to her, she not only captured Mrs. Remide's attention with her ideas, she somehow felt that she captured her affection as well. To know that Mrs. Remide saw potential in her felt amazing. To know that as a part of the campaign she would get a chance to spend more time with Can was more that icing on the cake. So she worked, and was free to look in his direction. The fact was, she looked in his direction more than she worked. So much that he finally caught her on that, and decided to approach her about it. She had peered into his office from behind a column outside of his office. It amuzed him. He got up and was happy to have surprised her with the sudden close proximity. But he underestimated just how close he came to her face. And lost himself in her eyes. Her lips. Her lips - that was the only thing he saw for the longest while. She had painted them red. His mind went wild the moment his eyes wandered down her face and got stuck on those lips of hers. His words did not make any sense. But neither did hers.

To make sure he kept Sanem close to him, Can requested she joined him in his office. She did, but as much as she wanted to be close to him, she realized it was not a good idea after all. The minute she walked into his office Polen fluffed her all-too-confident feathers. She marked her territory clearly. She also made sure to overemphasize Sanem's inexistant connection and affection to Levent. She made sure to push that button to the max, to be sure Can got a clear image of that in his mind. He could not handle it any longer and left to get something to drink. Polen took full advantage of the situation. She berated and belittled Sanem. She made it clear that she was the only one who knew Can. She showed in an insincere way how unhappy she was that Can did not tell her about the cottage. Sanem finally took the hint and underplayed the importance of her knowledge of the place. Only to have her inner voice come back to her full force and confront her about Can's reveal of the moonstones. Which made two things clear to Sanem. One, she was getting too close to Can again, and two, she would not be able to spend another second enclosed within four walls with Polen. She left the office. Rather, she stormed out.

She went down to work in the archive room. She found peace there. She thought of herself as a fool to have gone into Can's office to work. Evenmoreso now, after Polen made it clear to her she would never measure up to her. They were simply on different and far too distant levels. She worked her saddness away. Until she noticed Can standing before her. He looked at her, and she lost her train of thought. He asked if it were true that she worked down at the archive because she did not have a computer. She replied, half honest, that that was the reason. He pulled out a box. He tried to act nonchallantly about it. After all, a computer from storage should not seem to be that big of a deal. Only it was. Not only to her, but to him as well. Never would he have expected her reaction to receiving a laptop of her own. She did not care who saw them. She let herself be carried by the happiness she felt inside. She held him. Embraced him. Held on to his strong arms. And let her heart talk. Out loud. And hearing herself speak out loud brought her back to reality. She released her grip and looked into his eyes. If only she could keep looking into them longer. But it was not the place, and no longer the time. She asked him if she really said her words out loud. He replied she did, and there was nothing wrong about her words or their embrace. She held on to him again. Fully becoming aware of just how well he was built. The sheer strength of his shoulders ran a spark through her veins. And it was clearly obvious be felt the same way. She spoke out loud again, and asked where exactly did he grow up? Men like him simply did not come around often.

She noticed the bandana still tied by his wrist. She wanted it back. Needed it back. He replied it was no longer hers. Why on earth had she thought it was hers if he held it? If she wanted it back, he would humor her. She would have to get it herself. He extended his hand up, as high as he could and made sure they were as close to the cabinet as possible. She wanted to get the bandana back? Fine, but on his terms. She reached. And ended up right by his lips. She could not take her eyes off them. She just could not. She was struck by their closeness. His lips formed a smile, and she could imagine that smirk matched the spark of satisfaction in his smiling eyes, but she would not have seen it. Her mind only registered his lips...

She got her bandana back. He congratulated her on that one-time victory. He stepped aside. He had not noticed that Polen watched them from afar. She walked in, pretending she had not witnessed anything. Can left, and Polen stayed. And again played up her importance in Can's life. But she missed her mark. Not only she tried too much, which sounded too desparate. But she did not now who she was messing with. Sanem Aydin never backed down from a challenge. She met it, head on, and with full force. And Polen missed one more mark. She was already Sanem's defeated rival in Can's eyes. But most importantly, in his heart...