Back to Reality

                                    

                                          

As Ritika calls his name, Cann stops and turns around.
"Yes?" Cann says calmly.
Ritika hesitates for a moment before muttering, "Nothing."
Cann nods, turns back, and resumes walking.
"I hope you find love, Cann," Ritika thinks as she packs her bags, preparing to leave.
After locking her room, Ritika waits for Cann but, feeling restless, decides to head to the lounge. She sits down and notices a bouquet of flowers—remarkably similar to the ones Oziya had given her two days ago.
Curious, she approaches the bouquet and asks the person sitting beside it, "These are beautiful. Where did you get them?"
It’s the same person Cann had given the flowers to earlier.
"Sorry, ma'am," the staff member says, "but a gentleman staying here gave them to me. He said he had an allergy to the flowers."
The staff walks away, and Ritika chuckles to herself.
"So, Cann doesn’t like Oziya’s flowers."
She returns to her seat, waiting for Cann. After a few minutes, he arrives. As he enters the lounge, people immediately recognize him. Some ask for autographs, others for selfies. Cann obliges, all the while glancing at Ritika, who is already watching him.
As the crowd thins, Ritika steps closer.
"Hello, Mr. Cann, I’m a huge fan. Could I get your autograph?" she says, offering him her diary and pen.
Cann laughs but takes the pen and signs it for her.
"Shall we go?" Cann asks after handing back the diary.
Ritika nods. Together, they gather their luggage, complete the checkout process, and leave the hotel. At the airport, they board their flight back to Istanbul.
Like before, Ritika falls asleep beside Cann during the flight. Cann watches her sleep, deep in thought.
"How could I tell you that I’m falling for you too, Ritika?" Cann thinks to himself.
As the plane begins its descent, the seatbelt sign comes on. Cann gently wakes Ritika.
She stirs, buckling her seatbelt. Cann turns to her.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Sure," Ritika replies.
"You slept fine last night, so why are you napping again?" Cann asks with a playful smile.
Ritika smiles back and glances out the window at the sky.
"This has been the most beautiful journey of my life. I didn't want it to end, so I slept through the last part."
She turns back to Cann, who smiles and nods, looking ahead.
They land in Istanbul in the early afternoon. At the airport, Cann pulls away from her.
"I have some work to finish on set. I’ve booked a cab for you. Get home safely," he tells her before leaving.
Ritika watches him walk away, then gets into the cab and heads back to her apartment. Once home, she showers and settles into her study, reading medical textbooks and working on her files.
Meanwhile, Cann wraps up his shoot and heads home, the sun already setting.
Back at her apartment, Ritika dozes off while studying. She wakes with a start, accidentally scraping her elbow on a chair. A small cut starts bleeding, and she rummages for a band-aid, finally applying it. Needing fresh air, she steps out onto her balcony.
At the same time, Cann arrives home. After showering and changing into a robe, he makes himself a coffee and steps onto his balcony, only to find Ritika already standing there.
"Hey," Cann calls out.
Ritika turns and smiles. "Hello."
"So, you're back?" Ritika asks.
"Just got in," Cann replies with a smile.
They stand there silently for a moment, looking out over the city. Cann catches a glimpse of the band-aid on Ritika’s elbow.
"What happened there?" he asks, concerned. "Did you hurt yourself in Cappadocia?"
"No, just a scratch from this evening," Ritika says dismissively.
Cann rushes over, gently taking her arm. "You need to be more careful. Do you need any painkillers?"
Ritika chuckles at his concern. "It's just a scratch, Cann."
"You always say that, even when you need stitches," Cann scolds lightly.
Ritika laughs.
"Why are you laughing? Come with me." Cann takes her hand and leads her to his balcony.
"Sit here, I’ll be right back," he says before disappearing into his apartment. Ritika watches him curiously.
A moment later, Cann returns, now in pajamas, carrying a small box.
"So, you changed into your comfy clothes?" Ritika teases.
"Not exactly," Cann grins, holding up the box. "My mom makes this herbal salve. It works wonders."
Ritika tries to protest. "Cann, it’s really not that bad."
"I know, but this will help it heal faster," he insists, sitting beside her.
Ritika gives in, holding out her arm. Cann carefully removes the band-aid, cleans the wound, and applies the herbal mixture with tender care.
As he bandages the cut, Ritika watches him closely.
"How could anyone not fall in love with someone like him?" she murmurs under her breath.
Cann glances up. "Did you say something?"
Ritika quickly shakes her head. "No, nothing."
"There you go. It’ll be gone by tomorrow," Cann says, satisfied.
Ritika smiles, feeling the weight of her unsaid words. She’s about to confess her feelings when a voice suddenly calls from Cann’s apartment.
"Babe, I’m home!"