Hatice Sultan

Big rain-drops, like multifaceted diamonds, are falling on the leaves of
centuries-old plane trees. Pearl-like droplets linger on the diminutive
flowers of the lilacs. The sky seems determined to shed all its tears at
once. The heavy rain forces Hatice Mahfiruz Sultana to take shelter under the
glazed tiles of Çinili Kiosk. The carefully landscaped garden has turned into
a large puddle. No one who enters it can escape the mud. When the rain is
finally drained, sunlight peeks through the clouds. Its warmth and bright
light is like a tender caress on the soaking lawn. Circassian beauty Hatice
takes light dance-like steps on precious Persian carpets to the window. She
throws open the fiery-red curtains with her graceful hands. She is
particularly seductive today in her emerald-green veil. The curves of her
shapely body blend flowingly into each other as if painted by an Italian
master. Her clear skin is the essence of springtime. Her long lashes flutter
to shield her eyes from the strong sunlight. A rainbow has arched its
coloured arrows across the hillside. It excites the Sultana. She softly sings
a love poem for the king of her heart, Sultan Ahmed I: “My Sultan, my
husband, you’re the light in my eyes! I wait out the day impatient for the
night so that I can see you in my dreams. My only beloved, my sweet master! I
want you, I need you, I miss you. You’re the only one I’ve ever loved, you’re
the only one I could ever love.” Hatice Sultana turns away from the window
and lets the curtains fall shut. She resumes her slumbers on the soft sofa.
It’s many hours yet until night-time when the Sultan might come to her...