BLACK ROSE (COMPLETED)

30 -

At 8:50 p.m. on a Thursday...

On one of those days when my uncle and his family were once again away, Fatih had come over after school. We spent some time studying in my room. Although it seemed to me that Fatih's focus was more on me than the English lesson I was trying to explain, I hoped he had retained a few bits of knowledge. Or rather, I'd be satisfied if he hadn't completely forgotten what he already knew.

Dressed in my long black leggings and a casual t-shirt, I sat beside him on my bed, as we worked through vocabulary words together.

"Could you repeat those two words again, Ece?" he asked, his tone gentle but playful. "Satisfaction and amateur."

"Satisfaction and amateur."

"Once more. Slowly, love."

"S-a-t-i-s-f-a-c-t-i-o-n. A-m-a-t-e-u-r," I murmured. "Why are you so fixated on these two words, Fatih? Are you trying to perfect your pronunciation?"

"No, no. You just say them so sensually. That's why."

As I playfully bit my lip, I closed the book. "Well, now that you've officially derailed the lesson, it's time for a break. Come on, let's get up, you little troublemaker. It's time for evening prayer."

"Me too?" Fatih asked with feigned innocence.

I grabbed his arm, urging him to stand. "Yes. Especially you."

"Oh, come on..."

"Remember the deal we made at the pool? If you kissed me, you'd pray. Though I ended up backing out of the kiss, you did promise you'd still keep your word until I was ready. Funny how you were in no rush to hold back when it came to the kiss, but when it's about prayer, suddenly you're full of excuses."

"A promise is a promise," Fatih said, but then added, "Though I might be a bit rusty when it comes to ablution. Maybe you could remind me, love."

When we got to the bathroom, Fatih pulled off his socks.

"Start by saying 'Bismillah,' and it's like you've cleansed your entire body in reward," I explained. "Then, wash those Yeti-sized hands of yours three times."

Fatih followed my instructions.

"Next, take water into your mouth three times, then into your nose three times. After that, you've got to wet that thick head of yours."

"Thick-headed and with Yeti hands... If you were an imam, you'd break a lot of hearts with that sharp tongue, Ece," Fatih chuckled, continuing with his ablution.

Step by step, I guided him through. By the time we got to the end, I said, "Finally, you'll wash your hooves three times."

Fatih grinned, doing as I instructed. After he finished, he dried off, and we returned to my room. I briefly explained the evening prayer, and soon after, Fatih performed it.

"Now that you've prayed, I'd say I've won the bet," I declared with satisfaction.

"What bet?" Fatih asked, confused.

"We made a bet, remember? That within a week, I'd get you to start praying once a day. How quickly you forget!"

"Oh, right! You're right... looks like I lost that one. Hmm... How about another bet, Ece?"

"Ah, a sore loser, I see. Very well, what kind of bet are we talking about this time?"

Fatih's smile turned sly. "Within three weeks, you'll sleep with me."

I laughed. "You'll never win that bet, darling. I don't commit fornication, with Allah's permission, of course."

"If you're so confident, why not take the bet, Ece?"