BLACK ROSE (COMPLETED)

24 -

Upon entering the house, I took my dear little cactus, Lina, adorned with red flowers, to my room and gently placed her by the window.

"Welcome to your new home, my dear," I whispered to the plant with a mother's tenderness. "Don't worry, there's no cigarette smoke here like at Derin's place. Not many people come to my room anyway. Fatih visited recently, that's all. I've already convinced him to quit smoking, so even if he does come again, he won't bother you with any smoke. But if Fatih does come, turn your back and don't look, alright Lina?"

I didn't want my little Lina's innocence to be tainted. After all, Fatih, a son of the Black Sea, was unpredictable, capable of suddenly kissing me without warning. Must be that Laz gene, warm-blooded people, generally speaking.

I cleansed my makeup at the sink and swiftly performed ablution. Donning my one-piece, fuchsia prayer dress that hung behind the door, I offered my evening prayer. Thankfully, I managed just in time, with five minutes left before the night prayer. Once the time arrived, I performed the night prayer too. Returning to my room, I shed my clothes. The thong I was wearing was uncomfortable, so I replaced it with my usual cotton underwear.

With the last bit of energy left from an exhausting day, I collapsed onto the bed in my undergarments.

Dıtdırı dıtdırı dıtdırı!

Who was this impertinent caller interrupting my sleep?

Still half-asleep, I reached for my phone on the nightstand, picked it up without checking the caller's identity, and brought it to my ear.

"Hmm?" I mumbled groggily, still half asleep.

"Ece," Fatih's voice came through. "Were you sleeping?"

"I was sleeeeping, my baby," I murmured.

"What was that, Ece?"

Damn! Had I just called him "my baby" in my sleep-induced stupor?

Panic-stricken, I shot up in bed. "I said... I said... I was sleeping... sleeping like a baby! Yeah that's what I said! I was sleeping like a baby. Then woke up and answered the phone!"

Saved myself at the last second!

Ugh! By the time that infamous black-coated madman comes around, this boy would have already killed me from a heart attack...

"Sorry I woke you up, Ece."

"It's okay," I said, glancing at my phone's clock. It was a little past midnight. "What are you up to, Fatih?"

"Just lying in bed. Thought I'd give you a call, Ece."

"I was lying down too."

"Hmm... It's a bit chilly. If you sleep in just your underwear like last night, you'll catch a cold."

"Don't worry about me, I'm not cold, Fatih."

"Are you wearing a nightgown, then?"

"No."

"Pajamas?"

"No."

"So, what are you wearing?"

I did not want to say the truth, which was: "I'm in pink, lacy underwear that's barely there"... Instead i replied: "None of your business, Fatih!"

Ah, how romantic I am!

Well, if the gentleman insisted on calling me his rose, he'd have to deal with the thorns as well.

"Let me guess what you're wearing, then," said Fatih.

"You won't give up until you find out, will you?" I sighed. "Go on then, make your guess."