Time to test the App

Were it any other day, Aviel would have paid no heed to an app’s claims about multiplying the affection of known associates and friends by leaps and bounds, instead busying herself with work or relaxing in the family house.

Now, **** for any kind of salvation out of her current mess, she was also curious to see if the app worked as it claimed to.

That evening, over a shared dinner with Wakeyo and Usenko, Aviel would test the Affection Multiplier through an age-old method in dating games that has proven its effectiveness in the tests of time: conversation.

Wakeyo himself learned how to cook Ethiopian cuisine after he retired from the military, finding a little too much free time to waste with nothing to do at home. One of his – and Aviel’s and Usenko’s favourites – was Injera be Wot.

A variety of sauces and dishes served on a thin crepe-like pancake of sour bread, Injera be Wot was traditionally eaten by hand, a piece of the Wot – the bread – torn from the larger piece and taken with some sauce or topping.

As they ate, Aviel asked, “So, Wakeyo, anything interesting?”

“Well, not much,” Said Wakeyo, “Save that the Makid Party’s increasingly gaining popularity among the Zionist parties troubled by the unrest in Palestine.”

Aviel nodded at this; Palestine was a partially-recognised state and one plagued by unrest, primarily due to the partition of the state of Palestine in 1947 into distinct Jewish and Arab states. This was a sore spot for the Palestinians, seeing the Jews as occupying their homeland.

The fact that the Zionists were advocating for military takeover of all of Israel’s historical states – Palestine included, did not help assuage their negative feelings in the slightest.

“And knowing them, they’ll want tanks sent in,” Said Aviel, “A quick way to forcibly end unrest, sure, but what about winning the hearts of the Palestinians? No country can sustain itself by ruling with ****.”

“One fact the Zionists willingly put out their eyes for,” Said Wakeyo, “Just as easily as they blind themselves to the fact we Ethiopian Jews are fellow Jews.”

“Ah, what are we doing, talking about politics?” Said Usenko, “Pardon me, but I believe we were planning to have a pleasant dinner tonight.”

That made Aviel want to forget about politics, if only for a brief time.

“Yes, you’re right,” Said Aviel.

Dinner then proceeded in silence, and Aviel found that she much appreciates the absence of politics from her mind throughout the meal. Not that she could ever avoid talking about it, but for tonight, it was best to take her mind off things.

“By the way, Usenko,” Asked Aviel, “How’s your family?”

“Doing well, all things considered,” Said Usenko, “My pa and da are safe and content in their retirement home in Russia, and my sisters are attaining their scholarship in university. They were all worried sick during the blast, but they are well.”

Aviel nodded with a smile, though to Usenko’s and Wakeyo’s eyes, the smile was strained and ****, despite the genuine concern and relief in Aviel’s eyes.

“Good to hear that,” Said Aviel, “What about you?”

“Me?” Asked Usenko.

“Any plans for later? Like say, visiting them when you can?” Asked Aviel, “They might be more reassured to find you in the flesh.”

“I plan to, at least when things settle down here in Israel,” Said Usenko, “Might sound strange, considering people flee before things settle down, but I find you will need a friend in these trying times; my own family’s fine with the fact I survived, and that’s that.”

“How I envy you,” Said Aviel jokingly, bringing a slight smile to Usenko’s lips.

“I don’t think you have to envy Usenko, Aviel,” Said Wakeyo, “You have us.”

Aviel smiled, saying, “Thanks.”

“Don’t mention it,” Said Wakeyo, “That’s what friends are for.”

Then, raising a beer glass, Wakeyo then said, “T’chen chen! To health!”

“Vashe zdrovie,” Said Usenko.

And raising hers, Aviel said, “L’chaim.”

And their glasses clinked together.

After an hour more of good-hearted banter, conversation and some traded jokes, Aviel was washing the dishes with Wakeyo, Usenko retiring to his room for the night.

“It’s nice to eat your cooking again,” Aviel said.

“Glad to see you enjoyed it,” Said Wakeyo smilingly, “You’re always welcome to partake of my hospitality.”

Aviel’s smile faded slightly, and her hands slowed in their motion.

“I… I will need to partake of it multiple times more,” Said Aviel.

“As many times as you need, Aviel,” Said Wakeyo, “Actually, if I might ask…”

“What is it?” Asked Aviel.

“Um… if you don’t mind me asking,” Said Wakeyo, “Are you seeing anyone?”

A rather blunt and direct, yet roundabout way of asking, Aviel thought.

“No one, why?” Said Aviel.

A brief look of relief washed over Wakeyo’s eyes – fading as quickly as the air as Wakeyo nodded at this, saying, “Ah, I see. A real pity; you’re quite the beauty, you know. Even long after you were assigned to your regiment, so many of the recruits couldn’t stop talking about you.”

“Negatively or positively?” Aviel countered.

“… Good point,” Wakeyo conceded, “Still, I don’t get why they have to pointedly talk about how your height reduces your appeal! I mean, past that, combined with your personality, I’m sure any spouse-to-be would be wanting to have your hand in marriage!”

“You say that as if I’ll be in an arranged marriage,” Aviel suggested.

“It’s just a thought!” Said Wakeyo in his defense, “I mean, ugh…”

You giggle slightly at Wakeyo’s thinly-veiled attempts to flirt with you; he was always hopeless in romantic matters, much less acting on his feelings. Of course, you were completely focused on military work in the IDF with no thoughts of romance.

But… perhaps it might be time to find that special someone, Aviel thought, Like abba said: ‘Act now on your feelings, rather than later.’

“I am an eligible bachelor,” You pointed out, “Who knows? I might be able to find that special someone I’m looking for.”

“Y-You think so?” Said Wakeyo, looking hopeful, “I mean, I’m glad you have such confidence.”

Aviel sighs, however, saying, “I still need a stable source of income, though; without a job and being discharged from the IDF, I don’t have any income. Not that I’m unappreciative of your hospitality or anything, but I’m literally left with nothing else to do but stare at my computer and phone.”

“True,” Wakeyo conceded, “But there is stock trading; I’m no expert businessman, but I hear from news and rumours that the market’s going strong. Maybe if you buy and sell some shares, you’ll have some extra spending money.”

“That’s if the market’s remaining on an uptrend,” Said Aviel, “There’s always the chance of it going downhill and making me suffer losses in the process.”

“No need to be so pessimistic,” Said Wakeyo.

“I’m just being cautious,” Said Aviel, “But I suppose I could give it a try, until I get myself re-established in politics.”

“Now that’s the Aviel I know,” Said Wakeyo, “Always ready to move forward, even if life punches you in the face.”

Aviel playfully punches Wakeyo on the shoulder in response.

Once the housework was taken care of, Aviel went to log into her laptop and then to stock trading websites.

As Wakeyo said, there was a general uptrend in market shares in recent times, stock prices rising for multiple shares. Deciding to try her luck, Aviel then used about two-fifths of her bank balance in purchasing stocks.

Now to endure the waiting game, Thought Aviel, And hope I net some wins.

Now, exhausted from today’s tasks, Aviel collapsed onto her bed, eager to gain some sleep.

Her bed was large and comfy – like her own bed in her old home, and her body felt itself absorbed into its soft, alluring embrace.

And Aviel merely sighed.

“I still can’t believe all that happened,” Said Aviel, “Well, no use moping around; let’s see if the app worked as intended.”

Taking her phone and opening the Affection Multiplier, she checked her relationship progress with Wakeyo.

Wakeyo Ephram Adane

Age: 28

Affection Score: 98 (+12)

Love Score: 50 (+15)

Lust Score: 35 (+15)

Wow, app really wasn’t kidding, Thought Aviel, Wakeyo did look much more attracted to me than he was previously; it’s quite scary, come to think of it.

Aviel sighed and put the phone down.

I’ll just see what else to do tomorrow.

And with that, she drifted off to sleep.

A/N: I know I said this might be a slow burn, but I think I’m leaning more towards going right into things.