The Sultan and I

Epilogue

The Sultan and I
Epilogue

It was snowing when I first arrived in the Ottoman Empire. And now, it is also snowing when I left the land that had been my home for many years.

I was exiled to a distant land by his Majesty, Sultan Zahir, without anything with me but only thick clothing that will protect me from the cold.

The winter air feels dry on my numbing face. My lips are shivering. I have already forgotten the feeling of being cold after I got used to the luxury of living in the palace.

It's funny that after gaining all of the power in the world, I was back to nothing again.

To the old and poor, Elena.

I don't even know if I can bring my name with me. Mihrisah is a gift given to me by my husband on our wedding day. Now that I have hurt him, I don't think I have the right to be called by the name he has given to the woman he loved.

Tuluyan na akong nakalabas sa border ng Ottoman empire at kasalukuyang naglalakad sa kagubatan na katabi nito.

The snow is falling endlessly from the sky, covering my small and cold body in the middle of my white surroundings.

If there is one thing I can comfort myself with, it's the fact that I'm already free.

It is just sad that I have to sacrifice too much before I finally gain my freedom, including my husband, the man I love the most.

Napahawak nalang ako sa aking tiyan at isang simpleng ngiti ang gumuhit sa aking mukha.

I have our child with me, what is there to be sad for? I pondered.

Nang mapagod akong maglakad ay naisipan kong magpahinga muna sa tabi ng isang puno.

Naupo ako sa isang nahulog na sanga. Hinipan ko ang aking mga kamay sa pag-asang kaya nitong labanan ang lamig ng panahon.

My stomach let out a soft growl.

I'm cold and starving.

I need to find a way to survive this.

The scent of burning dry leaves, mixed with the smell of a delicious meal being cooked has touched my nostrils.

Hindi ko mapigilang magtaka.

Who would cook a meal in this cold forest?

But because of my curiosity, I decided to follow the delicious smell of the food.

Tumayo ako at naglakad patungo sa direksyon kung saan hinihila ako ng mabangong pagkain. Hanggang sa laking gulat ko nang di kalayuan sa akin ay natagpuan ko ang isang bonfire na may kaldero na nakasabit sa itaas nito. At ang laman ng kaldero ay isang mabango at kumukulong pagkain.

Nagawi ang aking paningin sa tabi ng nilulutong pagkain at nakita ang itinuping mga makakapal na coat at kumot.

I was baffled.

Nagtaas ako ng mukha para hanapin kung sino ang nagmamay-ari ng lahat ng ito.

"Hello?"

But no one responded.

There is no one around here.

Kaya naglakad ako palapit sa kumukulong pagkain. At hindi ko na napigilan ang pangangalam ng aking sikmura nang makita ang katakam-takam na sopas.

It is my favorite soup.

God must have provided food for me.

Nagpalinga-linga ako ulit. Ngunit dahil hindi ko na makayanan ang sobrang gutom ay kaagad kong kinuha ang bowl at kutsara na malapit dito. Kumuha ako ng soup at naupo sa isang branch na nasa isang tabi. May nakapatong pa na maliit na cushion dito para makaupo ako ng maayos.