Mafia's Pious Addiction|| KTH FF📕

✿ Ep 12: First prostration

|A tale of love and faith|

The two-hour lecture was finally over, all the students sighed in relief. Some stood up to leave while others busied themselves with noting down the key points. Haya stretched her neck along with her spine, easing the stiffness in her body, while Jimin's loud knuckle-cracking sound broke the silence.

"Ahhh!! I need rest from this hectic life... I don't wanna study anymore," Ayat mumbled in a tired voice, her head resting upon her crossed arms on the table. Jimin chuckled at her words but didn't respond.

"Yahhh!! I'm so late... I'm so late for the prayer. Guys, let's go for Duhr prayer, there are only ten minutes left!" Haya's panicked voice made Jimin glance at his wristwatch, while Ayat instantly sat up straight.

"Jesu—uh—I mean... Ya Allah," she blurted out, almost forgetting that she was a Muslim now, quickly correcting herself. The three of them chuckled at her slip before standing up together.

"Ayat! We'll pray in the third-floor room, that's my usual spot, okay?" Haya told her with a smile. Ayat nodded, even though she didn't yet know how to pray properly. Still, she thought, she could at least start by learning the gestures and small verses.

"I'll also come with you guys. The mosque will take forever from here, and I'll miss the prayer time. I'll offer it here today... You guys don't have any problem, right?" Jimin asked sincerely as he stood up.

"It's okay, Jimin... Why would we have a problem? Right, Ayat?" Haya replied warmly, giving Ayat a gentle nudge with her elbow. Ayat nodded in agreement.

"Come on now, we'll be late," Haya said, already walking ahead as the other two followed behind her.

_______

In the girls' bathroom, Haya stood with her sleeves rolled up, her hands still damp from her own ablution. Now, it was Ayat's turn. She watched her friend with eager eyes, excitement flickering across her face.

"You have to recite Bismillah first," Haya said softly, yet firmly.

Ayat nodded and whispered it, before leaning forward to listen to the next instruction.

"Wash your hands three times, up to your wrists. Then take water in your mouth, swirl it, and spit it out. Repeat it three times."

Ayat bent down, carefully mimicking her friend's motions. Water dripped from her lips as she looked back at Haya for approval.

"Good. Now, three times in your nose. Let the water reach up to your nose bridge, then clean it with your pinky."

Ayat obeyed, but the moment she lifted her head, she couldn't help asking, "Okay... now what?"

Haya's eyes narrowed slightly. "We don't speak during Wudu," she reminded her gently, her voice carrying a firmness that made Ayat's lips form a silent 'Oh.' Wide-eyed, she nodded and continued.

"Now, wash your face three times, making sure the water reaches under your chin." Haya guided step by step, demonstrating with her hands. "Watch carefully. Join your last three fingers, wet them, and pass them over your head like this. Without breaking your hands, bring them back, then clean your ears with your index fingers. Finally, run the backs of your hands across your neck. This is called Masah."

Ayat tried, fumbling with her hands, but her determination made Haya's lips curl into a soft smile. "You're doing well, my love," she encouraged.

Her eyes asked for the next step, so Haya continued. "Now, wash your right arm up to the elbow three times. Don't forget to run your fingers through the other hand's fingers. That's called Khalal. Do the same with your left."