To Be, Or Not To Be Faluda?

In the Gregorian Calendar: 3rd August, 1723

"Today I won't be doing our daily lessons, but show you practically how to act and greet like a lady, owing to the fact that some of you lack the skill," Selim Agha looks pointedly at Fatma and me. We both snicker.

"First, when you see a sultan or sultana passing by, you clasp you hands and arch your back." He demonstrates the bow, then asks us all to follow him. When we all do so, he checks on all of us individually.

"Hey, get a bit lower. Safiye, did you swallow a stick? Look how perfectly Raysha does it!"

I roll my eyes but try to copy Raysha nevertheless. Why do I have to bow my head to someone? Only God deserves it. Do they value the Sultan like God? Astagfirullah!

"Doing maths is better than this," I mutter.

Fatma whispers back. "Then you must be crazy. I got hit on the hand thrice because I did a sum wrong yesterday."

"Just because of that? Selim must be on something-"