The Sultan and I
Chapter 42
Hindi mapakaling naitaas ni Ayse ang baso ng tea sa kanyang bibig habang nakaupo sa loob ng kanyang kwarto. Habang hinihigop ito ay pasikreto niyang sinilip ang magandang babae na nakaupo sa kanyang harapan.
This morning, she was surprised to have a visit from the Valide Sultan, Nehir.
"What can I do for you, my Sultana?" Kinakabahan pa niyang tanong atsaka ibiniba ang baso ng tea sa mesa na nakapagitan sa kanilang dalawa.
It's been years since they last met, but the fear she feels whenever the Valide Sultan is around is still fresh in her mind. She can't help it. Even though her son, Sehzade Zulkahir, has now gained influence and power within the empire, the Valide Sultan still holds power with her clan.
Isang simpleng ngiti naman ang isinagot sa kanya ni Nehir bago nito ibinaba ang baso ng tea sa mesa.
"I'm only here to visit an old acquaintance, Sultana. You must know that we should not be divided by our differences in life. We are now one family in Ottoman." Nehir spoke, slyly eyeing the nervous Sultana.
Nanginginig sa nerbyos na napahawak ng dalawang kamay si Ayse at hindi pa makatingin ng diretso sa Sultana na sumagot.
"I-If you're looking for my lion, he's not here, my Sultana." She gulped while trying to control her trembling hands. "H-he is on a b-border patrol by the order of his majesty, the Sultan."
Isang ngiti naman ang ibinigay sa kanya ni Nehir bago nito itinaas ulit ang baso ng tea sa kanyang bibig.
"I know. I heard that he is to come back tomorrow at dawn. " She replied while sipping her tea. "But he's not the reason why I am here. I want to talk with you about something very important."
Mabilis na napataas ng tingin si Ayse at kinakabahan na napatitig sa nakangiti paring mukha ng Sultana.
"T-to me?" Hindi parin niya makapaniwalang sambit. "W-what is it that you want to talk about, my Sultana?"
Ibinaba ulit ni Nehir ang baso ng tea sa mesa na kaharap nila. Ngunit laking gulat ni Ayse nang bigla nitong kunin ang dalawang kamay niya at hinawakan ang mga ito ng mahigpit.
She was horrified.
But Nehir Sultana only looked up to her and gave her a serious stare.
"We must kill the Sultan." She declared, which slowly widened her eyes with surprise.
Mabilis niyang binawi ang kanyang mga kamay at hindi makapaniwalang napatingin sa seryosong mukha ng Sultana.
"W-what do you mean kill the Sultan, my Sultana? That is—-"
"I know that this is something that is hard to do, but in order to save your son, you must kill the Sultan."
Nanghintatakutang napatingin nalang si Ayse kay Nehir. Ngunit bago pa man makapagsalita ulit si Nehir ay mabilis na siyang napatayo mula sa kinauupuan at hindi parin mapakaling napatalikod mula dito.
"T-this meeting has ended, my Sultana. I want to be alone." Napahawak siya ng dalawang kamay at pilit na pinigilan ang panginginig ng mga ito. "P-please, leave."
Samantalang dahan-dahan namang napatayo mula sa kinauupuan si Nehir habang hindi parin inaalis ang mga mata mula sa nakatalikod na Sultana.
"The Sultan has not yet released a fatwa of succession, is he?" Nehir spoke while walking towards her.
Kaagad namang napalingon sa kanya si Ayse at nanginginig parin na nagsalita.
"I-it is being discussed with the Sheikhs and the clan leaders, my Sultana." Ayse replied while trying to calm herself. "The fatwa will be released soon. We trust the Sultan."
BINABASA MO ANG
The Sultan and I
Historical Fiction"With my own hands, I shall burn this empire and disperse the ashes to those who have wronged me. I am the dynasty. I am Mihrisah. " -Mihrisah Sultana As the Ottoman Empire decided to expand their land, lives were taken and blood was spread across t...
