Chapter 44: An Eventful Day

Despite my late return to the harem last night, I bathe and dress early, ready for what will be a busy day ahead. My conversation with Ahmed proved useful to both of us. It has given me an insight into his interests and what attracts him to Aysun. Today I must use that information to help prepare Aysun for tonight. I talk with Birgül and Didem and we agree on a plan to help Aysun.

Anna didn’t return to the harem last night, so I presume she has spent the night with Irem. Gülriz, Emete and Melek probably spent the night with Ramazan or Kadir, but since they don’t normally sleep in this dormitory, I can’t be sure. Anyway, I don’t have time to think about them at the moment, as Aysun and the other five women are ready for their lessons.

The heady excitement of last night has finally been exhausted and the women have returned to reality. Aysun is understandably nervous about tonight, but she tries hard not to show it. We begin today’s lessons with a review of last night’s events. Since Birgül and Didem weren’t there, appraisal of the dancing performance is left to me. I highlight a few areas for improvement, but I don’t linger on criticising the numerous faults in what was a commendable performance given the circumstances. I move onto a language session before handing over to Birgül and Didem. As agreed, I take Aysun into a different room for a special lesson.

My experience in preparing Hürrem or myself for a night alone with Sultan Suleiman is invaluable. I recall Hürrem’s wild excitement when it was her turn, and my own nervousness when it was mine. Aysun seems too bewildered by the recent changes to her life to be able to settle on any one emotion. My first task is to settle her nerves so that she can pay attention to the instruction I’m trying to give her. After a while we start to make real progress.

I teach her numerous words and phrases that might be useful tonight, particularly words that will help her to describe England. Ahmed seems fascinated that she’s English, but I caution Aysun about talking too much about her family or past life. She’s expected to forget about the life she had before entering the harem, and it won’t do her any good to dwell on memories. It’s something which is easier said than done. My own past life as Maria is a gradually fading memory, but I don’t think I’ll ever forget it entirely. Deep in my heart there will always be a little bit of Maria and my family.

There’s no point in trying to teach Aysun more Ottoman history or the empire’s geography today. I doubt Ahmed will want to discuss those in Aysun’s company. I spend some time, however, on traditional customs and deportment for tonight’s assignation. Fortunately Ahmed is also inexperienced, so he isn’t likely to notice if Aysun departs from the prescribed script. Nevertheless, she is safer following the standard rituals. Sultan Suleiman didn’t mind when I broke with tradition, but he is an extraordinary man. I suspect Ahmed is less independently minded.

We break for the usual snack at midday. Aysun says she’s too nervous to be hungry, and she’s keen to continue without stopping. I insist that she eats something. This will be the last food she will be allowed to eat before meeting with Ahmed tonight. It’s customary for the couple to enjoy a meal together before moving on to carnal pleasure. A kalfa should arrive soon to supervise and assist with Aysun’s ablutions and beautification. In the Constantinople harem, two women would have been assigned to be Aysun’s temporary maids for that purpose, but that doesn’t seem to be the custom here in Edirne. Likewise, I’m not sure if Şah Sultan will provide Aysun with a silk dress and jewels. I think it would reflect poorly on her management of the harem if Aysun were to present herself to Ahmed tonight wearing the harem uniform. But maybe Şah Sultan isn’t bothered by what her son thinks.

Aysun and I resume her lessons while we wait for a kalfa to arrive and escort Aysun to the baths. A couple of hours pass quickly. Useful hours from my point of view as it enables me to teach Aysun a few more skills. Unfortunately the delay in the kalfa’s arrival means there will be less time for Aysun to get washed and changed. I continue with Aysun’s lessons for a while, trying not to reveal my growing unease at the failure of a kalfa to appear. Eventually I decide I had better get a message to Afife Kalfa to remind her that Aysun is waiting for a kalfa to arrive. Apart from Birgül and Didem, there are no agas or kalfas in this part of the harem. That’s not unusual at this time of day, but it only confirms that Aysun has been forgotten. Even Araj Aga is conspicuous by his absence. I discuss the situation with Birgül and Didem.

“I’ll attend to Aysun,” says Didem to me. “If you can give the other girls a language lesson, Birgül will go and find Afife Kalfa and find out what is happening.”

I would prefer to go and find Afife Kalfa myself, but I concede that Birgül has a better chance of finding her in this huge complex. Afife could be anywhere in the maze of buildings and underground passageways. Without alerting Aysun or the other girls to the fact that there is a problem, the two kalfas and I put our improvised plan into action.

About forty minutes later I call a halt to lessons for the day. The five students are finding it difficult to concentrate. It’s been a long day for them after yesterday’s exertions, and they are understandably excited about Aysun’s big night. By now, many of those living in our dormitory have finished their work and have returned to the harem. The five women join the others while I go to one of the side rooms where Didem and two other women are busy with Aysun’s preparations. The women came to help not long after Birgül left. Fortunately between them they’ll be able to prevent Aysun’s special occasion from turning into a disaster before it has begun.

Since I’m not needed to help Aysun any further, I take a short break. My pregnancy doesn’t normally interfere with my daily activities, but once in a while ... like now ... I need a few moments to myself. I walk through the harem trying to ease the slight nausea which had suddenly struck me. To my surprise I find Gülriz is here. She’s busy talking to Nuray and Esmeray. I forget about my nausea and go to join them.