The Tulip Garden

A small fountain rested in the center of the main garden. It was the end of winter now, and most of the flowers were in full bloom. Gulfem couldn't help but think how this mirrored the blooming of her own world. She stopped and smelled some of the beautiful fragrances.

It was a beautiful day. I decided to go for for a walk. Topkapi's garden was amazing. I thought about my Valide, uncle and my charity mission. I was still restless.

I walked slowly and then I noticed someone in Tulip Garden. When I recognized woman's face, I joined her.
- Gulfem Hatun - I smiled to her. - It's nice to see you. How are you?

A soon as she heard her name she turned around. My Sultan. It's very nice to see you, to. She said and gave curtsy. I'm well. Now when the spring came everything is happier. and how are you? I didn't know you're at palace. She smiled warmly to Esmehan, she was the beauty like her mother.

'Indeed' - I agreed.

'I'm glad to hear that.' - Gulfem Hatun was one of the most trustworthy people I knew. She was always very kind and good-hearted.

'I was worried about my valide. I decided to be with her. My sister will probably join us soon but it depends of how long we will stay here.'

Gulfem looked at Esmehan in worry, her mother was one of hers dearest friend. I hope it's nothing serious. She said. I'm so glad she'd join us. This palace shall be nicer with you two around.

'So do I. But sometimes I see her sadness and I feel, that something is not right. Maybe it's me and I see something that don't exist but I really want to support her. She was always with me now it's time to do the same.'

I smiled with little sadness in my eyes.

'I'm happy to be here. I missed everyone. Topkapi is big, so many people live here and I don't feel alone.'

Your mother shall be better with you by her side. You shall give her strength to comfort the things that makes her sad. Gulfem said as she touched her arm and squeezed it softly. One thing for sure this palace is never boring, and you shall never feel lonely here. There is too much to see, and something is always going on.

'Insallah!' - I wasn't sure about it, but I wanted to believe, that Gulfem is right. All I needed was truth.
I hugged her. She was like aunt to me and I respected her very much.


'I've heard many things... Hmm, I have to visit girls in harem, talk a little and try to know them. I want to choose some concubines to be my servants. If you know someone who is likeable and calm, please let me know. I don't want any troubles. I may be an easygoing person but I need someone trustworthy to be by my side.'

Gulfem smiled and embraced Esmehan back. She loved all sultans, like they're all her own children. I'd be glad to help, My Sultan. We can go together and pick the best for you? Someone you can trust. She suggested.

' I will be very grateful.'

All girls respected Gulfem. I was a strager to everyone, so her advices was very important.

'My uncle told me, that Hatice Sultan will marry someone she loves. She must be very happy.'

Another person who I had to talk with!

'Sultan Suleyman is very kind. He even gave me permission to go outside palace with Atmaca. I want to see people, talk with women and children. I decided to do charity but first, I have to know everything about theit life.'

Gulfem nodded and smiled. She was so happy for Hatice, she deserves the marriage from love and to be happy. Yes, that is true. Sultan is very lucky. It seems that love sometimes can win. She listened with admiration in her eyes. Not many young Sultan would do such. That is very noble cause. And Atmaca is perfect for it. Not only he'd keep you safe he'd also help you with everything you need.

'She deserves all the best. We all want to see her smile. What Valide Sultan think about Ibrahim Pasha?'

I've heard that she planned marry her daughter to someone but I didn't know if her candidate was the same person. Actually I doubted it. I knew my grandmother - son of great pasha would be better. Or maybe not?

'My uncle trust him very much. I need someone who can be a guardian and guide. I've heard that he is very kind and good-hearted. He could do anthing to save Sultan and his family. And he know true life. I hope I can help someone. Sitting in the palace is not helpful. I want to see everyting with my own eyes.'

She was against at first, but as we all she wants to see Hatice happy. And Ibrahim is her happiness. Gulfem replied, knowing that Hatice's happiness was only important to everyone. He's. He's the best body-guard in the palace. And he'd do anything to protect us. She said with honesty. He can teach you a lot about people, and it's good he is coming with you, for your safety and also to give you advice.

'One day she will be mother and spent time with her kids. Valide Sultan will be happy again, because she loves children. More grandchildren, more happiness.'

Who knows better than me, Leyla or my cousins.

'I was born as Sultana, but my heart beat the same like yours, any other girl in harem or girl in the city. We all have the same problems and dreams. I like talking with people who know true life. Poor, rich.. it doesn't matter. Sometimes I am sitting in the gearden and talking with slaves serving us. I like their stories.'

You're right. Seeing her with her family of her own will make Valide Sultan happy. Gulfem listened to her with amazement. She always thought all Sultanas enjoyed what they had, and never thought about the lives or dreams of us Concubines. We all indeed are the same. Some are born under lucky star while others are not, but we all have a story happy or not. And dreams as you said yourself.

'I remember how many people did great things just to see us content, but the truth is that it was just an duty of slave and servant. Good service means good life, but I want something more. I need friends.'

It was a truth I couldn't deny. I believed that kindness could help.

'I know it's not easy, but maybe I will find someone, who I can trust. I have sister, many cousins but sometimes is better to talk with someone else. Hatice trusts you, many people do.'

With such kind heart as yours are, you shall have many friends. Gulfem said honestly, then added, I find myself very lucky to have earned such trusts from Hatice. We have been friends for so many years since I came here actually. You shall find a friend too, you are Sultana and you have a great goodness.

'I believe, that every person has got a soulmate but it's hard to meet them, especially if you live somewhere else... ' I sighed.

'I know that true friendship exist. i hope it's my time to find and feel it'.

I smiled and decided to picked some tulips for my Valide and Valide Sultan. Beautiful flowers for beautiful women

'I'm so glad I found you here, Gulfem Hatun.'

I didn't need much to be happy. Every sincere conversation helped me to be a better and stronger person.

What's meant to be will always find a way. And if someone is meant for each other, would find one another no matter where they're. Gulfem witnessed many love stories here at court to know that every person eventually find they other half. I'm glad too of meeting you here. It makes me so very happy to be in your company.

'I hope not only you will be hapy to see me here. Sometimes I feel that I'm not a good person for living in a palace and being a Sultana. I'm less complicated and I don't need much things to be a happy person.'

I laughed. Well, some people couldn't see a little, good things and looking for something spectacular. I was glad when I shared time with someone I like or love and could make them smiling.

'My heart is telling me that I spend many hours with my family, trying to help them to see something good in their life. We need more smile and fun here. Everyone lookes... grumpy. I mean agas and concubines. More of them?'

I was joking, but really... Everyone had problems, me too. All I needed was more life in this place. Many people lived after all.

Don't think such. You've every right to be here as any of Sultana. You're given this by birth so embrace it. Gulfem advised. Not many are fortune to be bore with such luck . You cannot expect them to be happy. They've no freedom of their own, all of them are brought here, not by their choice.

I sighed.

'Yes, I know...' - that was so natural for me, to see people who just served us - royals, but I've seen more - they were people, like me, my mother etc.

'But sometimes there is something else. I mean... if they don't want to see something good, they just can't. Some of them have no idea how lucky they are. Some of girls are from poor families. Now they can write, read, know poetry, music, thay have something to eat and they have a future. I know that many of them will marry someone. There is always something good even in a dark place in dark ages.'

I wasn't sure if life like mine was so great. Yes, I was a free person, I had everything I wanted but... my father was a traitor and I will become a wife of someone important, maybe who I will never like. I couldn't do what I want. I wanted to help, but I had to pretend someone else in the city.

Gulfem didn't agreed on that. Most of the ladies watched they whole family being killed, before they were taken here. That was something they never would forget no matter how nice the life for them was here. Perhaps, you're right. She said simply.

'The truth is that no one can be happy all time. Look at my Valide. She is a Sultana, daughter and sister of two great Sultans and what? She felt terrible pain when she lost her husband. She could do anything to have him back...'

No, we don't need sadness.

'We should all spend some time in this garden. Talk to each other, be happy.'