I AM CALLED BLACK
Widowed,abandonedandaggrieved,mybelovedShekurefledwithfeatherlikesteps,andIstoodasifstuhestillnessofthehouseoftheHangedJew,amidthearomaofalmondsanddreamseshe’dleftinherwake.Iwasbewildered,butmymindwasingsofastitalmosthurt.WithoutevenacetogrieveproperlyovermyEnishte’sdeath,Iswiftlyreturnedhome.Ontheonehand,awormofdoubtwasgnawingatme:WasShekureusingmeasapawninagrandscheme,wasshedupiheotherhand,fantasiesofablissfulmarriagestubbornlyplayedbeforemyeyes.
AftermakingversationwithmylandladywhointerrogatedmeatthefrontdoorastowhereI’dgoneandwhenceIwasingatthismhour,Iwenttomyroomandremovedthetwenty-twoVeiangoldpiecesfromtheliningofthesashI’dhiddeninmymattress,plagtheminmymoneypursewithtremblingfingers.Wheurhestreet,IknewimmediatelyI’dseeShekure’sdark,teary,troubledeyesfortherestoftheday.
IgedfiveoftheVeianLionsataperpetuallysmilingJewishmoneyger.,deepin
thought,IeheneighborhoodwhosenameI’veyettomentionbecauseI’mnotfondofit:Yakutlar,wheremydeceasedEnishteandShekure,alongwithherchildren,awaitedmeattheirhouse.AsImademywayaloreetsalmostrunning,atallplareeseemedtoreproachmeforbeingoverjoyedbydreamsandplanseontheverydaymyEnishtehadpassedaway.,astheicehadmelted,astreetfountainhissedintomyear:“Don’ttakematterstooseriously,seetoyourownaffairsandyouroiness.”“That’sallfineandgood,”objectedanill-omenedblackcatlighimselfontheer,“buteverybody,yourselfincluded,suspectsyouhadahandinyouruncle’smurder.”
ThecatleftofflighimselfasIsuddenlycaughtsightofitsbewitgeyes.Idon’thavetotellyouhowbrazentheseIstanbulcatsgetwhenthelocalsspoilthem.
IfoundtheImamEffendi,whosedroopyeyelidsandlargeblackeyesgavehimaperpetuallysleepylook,notathishouse,butinthecourtyardoftheneighborhoodmosque,andthereIaskedhimquiteatriviallegalquestion:“Whenisoneobligatedtotestifyincourt?”IraisedmyeyebrowsasIlisteohishaughtyanswerasifIwerehearingthisinformationforthefirsttime.“Bearingwitnessisoptionalifotherwitnessesarepresent,”explaiheImamEffendi,“but,insituatioherewasonlyoness,itisthewillofGodthatonebearwitness.”
“That’sjustthepreditIfindmyselfinnow,”Isaid,takinguptheversation.“Inasituationeveryoneknowsabout,allthewitnesseshaveshirkedtheirresponsibilitiesandavoidedgoingtocourtwiththeexcusethat”it’sonlyvoluntary,“andasaresultthepressingsofthoseI’mtryingtohelparebeingpletelydisregarded.”
“Well,”saidtheImamEffendi,“whydon’tyouloosenyourpurse-stringsalittlemore?”
ItookoutmypoudshowedhimtheVeiangoldpieceshuddledwithin:Thebroadspaceofthemosquecourtyard,thefaceofthepreacher,everythingwassuddenlyillumiheglimmerofgold.Heaskedmewhatmydilemmawasallabout.
IexplainedwhoIwas.“EnishteEffendiisill,”Ifided.“Beforehedies,hewantshisdaughter’swidowhoodcertifiedandanalimonytobeinstituted.”
Ididn’teveomentiontheproxyoftheüsküdarjudge.TheImamEffendiuoodatondsaidtheentireneighborhoodhadloroubledoverthefateofhaplessShekure,addingthatthesituationhadalreadypersistedtoolong.Insteadofseargforasedwitnessrequiredfalseparationatthedooroftheüsküdarjudge,theImamEffendisuggestedhisbrother.Now,ifIweretoofferanadditionalgoldpiecetothebrother,wholivedintheneighborhoodandwasfamiliarwiththepreditofShekureandherdarlingchildren,I’dbedoingagoodpiousturn.Afterall,foronlytwogoldstheImamEffendiwasgivingmeadealonthesedwitness.Weimmediatelyagreed.TheImamEffeofetchhisbrother.
Therestofourdayratherresembledthe“cat-and-mouse”storiesthatI’dwatchedstorytellersinAleppocoffeehousesactout.Becauseofalltheadverickery,suchstorieswrittenupasnarrativepoemsandboundwereakenseriouslyevenifpresentedinfinecalligraphy;thatis,theywereneverillustrated.I,oherhand,wasquitepleasedtodivideourdaylongadveofourses,imaginingeatheillustratedpagesofmymind.
Inthefirstse,theminiaturistoughttodepictusamidmustachioedandmusen,fourwayacrosstheblueBosphorustowardüsküdarinthefour-oaredredlongboatwe’dboardedinUnkapan1.Thepreacherandhisskinnydark-plexionedbrother,pleasedwiththesurprisevoyage,areengagingtheoarsmeninfriendlychatter.Meanwhile,amidblithedreamsethatplayceaselesslybeforemyeyes,IstaredeepintothewatersoftheBosphorus,flowingclearerthanusualonthissunnywinterm,onguardforanominoussignwithinitscurrents.I’mafraid,forexample,thatImightseethewreckofapirateshipbelow.Thus,nomatterhowjoyouslytheminiaturistcolorstheseaandclouds,heoughttoincludesomethingequivalenttothedarknessofmyfearsandasintenseasmydreamsofhappiness—aterrifying-lookingfish,forexample—ihsofthewatersothereaderofmyadventurewon’tassumeallisrosy.
Oursedpictureoughttoshowthepalacesofsultans,themeetingsoftheDivancilofState,thereceptionofEuropeanambassadors,aailedandcarefullyposedcrowdedinteriorsofasubtletyworthyofBihzad;thatis,thepictureoughttopartakeofplayfultridirony.Thereby,whiletheKadiEffendiapparentlymakesanopen-handed“halt”gestureindig“never”or“no”tomybribe,withhisotherhandheoughttobeshownobliginglypocketingmyVeiangolds,aimateresultofthisbribeshouldbedepictedinthesamepicture:ShahapEffendi,theShafüproxypresidinginplaceoftheüsküdarjudge.Thesimultaneousdepiofsequentialeventscouldonlybeachievedthroughanintelligentminiaturist’singfacilityinpageposition.Thus,whentheobserver,whofirstseesmegivingabribe,noticeselsewhereinthepaintingthatthemansittingcross-leggedonthejudge’scushionistheproxy,he’llrealize,evenifhehashestory,thatthehonorablejudgehastempivenuphisofficesohisproxymightgrantShekureadivorce.
Thethirdillustrationshouldshowthesamese,butthistimethewallorionshouldbedarkerandreheesestyle,thecurlybranchesbeingmoreintricateanddense,andcolorfulcloudsshouldappearabovethejudge’sproxysothechieryihtbeapparent.ThoughtheImamEffendiandhisbrotherhaveactuallytestifiedseparatelybeforethejudge’sproxy,intheillustrationtheyareshowherexplaininghowthehusbandofanguishedShekurehasurnedfromwarforfouryears,howsheisinastateofdestitutionwithoutahusbandtolookafterher,howhertwofatherlesschildrenareperpetuallyintearsandhungry,howthereisnoprospearriagebecauseshe’sstillsideredmarried,andhowinthisstateshe’tevenreceivealoanwithoutpermissionfromherhusband.They’resovingthatevenamanasdeafasastonewouldgrantheradivorcethroughacascadeoftears.Theheartlessproxy,however,having,asksaboutShekure’slegalguardian.Afteramomentofhesitation,Iimmediatelyinterrupt,declaringthatheresteemedfather,whohasservedasheraldandambassadorforOurSultan,isstillalive.
“Untilhetestifiesincourt,I’llnevergrantheradivorce!”saidtheproxy.
Thereupon,thhlyflustered,IexplainedhowmyEnishteEffendiwasill,bed-riddenandstrugglingforhislife,howhislastwishtoGodwastoseehisdaughterdivorced,andhowIwashisrepresentative.
“Whatdoesshewantwithadivorce?”askedtheproxy.“Whywouldadyingmanwanttoseehisdaughterdivorcedfromherhusbandwho’slongvawaranyway?Listen,I’duandiftherewereagood,trustworthydidateforson-in-law,becausethenhewouldn’tpassawaywithhiswishunfulfilled.”
“Thereisaprospect,sir,”Isaid.
“Whomightthatbe?”
“ItisI!”
“enow!You’retheguardian’srepresentative!”saidthejudge’sproxy.“Whatlineofworkareyouin?”
“Iernprovinces,Iservedassecretary,chiefsecretaryandassistanttreasurertovariouspashas.IpletedahistoryofthePersianwarsthatIiopresenttoOurSultan.I’maoisseurofillustratinganddecoration.I’vebeenburningwithloveforthiswomanfortwentyyears.”
“Areyouarelativeofhers?”
Iwassoembarrassedathavingfallensoabruptlyanduedlyintogrovelingmeeknessbeforethejudge’sproxy,athavingbaredmylifelikesomedullobjectdevoidofanymystery,thatIfellpletelysilent.
“Insteadbeetred,givemeananswer,youngmaIrefusetograntheradivorce.”
“She’sthedaughterofmymaternalaunt.”
“Hmmm,Isee.Willyoubeabletomakeherhappy?”
Whenheaskedthequestionhemadeavulgarhaure.Theminiaturistshouldomitthisindelicacy.It’dbeenoughforhimtoshowhowmuchIblushed.
“Imakeadetliving.”
“AsIbelongtotheShafüsect,thereisnothingtrarytotheHolyBookormycreedinmygrantingthedivorceofthisunfortunateShekure,whosehusbandhasbeenmissingatthefrontforfouryears,”
saidtheProxyEffendi.“IgrantthedivordIrulethatherhusbandnolongerhasanysupergrightsshouldhereturn.”
Thesubsequentillustration,thatis,thefourth,oughttodepicttheproxyrecthedivortheledger,unleashingobedientarmiesofblakletters,beforepresentihthedotdeclaringthatmyShekureisnoandthereisnoobstacletoherimmediateremarriage.herbypaintingthewallsofthecourtroomred,norbysituatiurewithinbloodredborderscouldtheblissfulinnerradianceIfeltatthatmomentbeexpressed.Runningbackthroughthecrowdoffalsewitnessesandatheringbeforethejudge’sdoorseekingdivorcesfortheirsisters,daughtersorevenaunts,Isetoutournjourney.
AfterIcrossedtheBosphorusandheadeddirectlytotheYakutlarneighborhood,IdismissedboththesiderateImamEffendi,whowaoperformthemarriageceremony,andhisbrother.SinceIsuspectedeveryoneIsaworeetofhatgsomemischiefoutofjealousyovertheincrediblehappinessIwasonthevergeofattaining,IranstraighttoShekure’sstreet.Howhadtheominouscrowsdivihepresenceofabodyinthehouseandtakentohoppingarouedlyoerra-cottashingles?IwasoverebyguiltbecauseIhadn’tbeeogrieveformyEnishteorevenshedasiear;evenso,Iknewfromthetightlyclosedshuttersanddoorofthehouse,fromthesilendevenfromthelookofthepomegrareethateverythingroceedingasplanned.
Iwasagintuitivelyihaste.Itossedastohecourtyardgatebutmissed!Itossedahehouse.Itlaheroof.Frustrated,Ibegaingthehousewithstones.Awindowopewasthesed-storywindowwherefourdaysago,onWednesday,I’dfirstseenShekurethroughthebrahepomegraree.Orhanappeared,andfromthegapitersIcouldhearShekurescoldinghim.ThenIsawher.Foramoment,wegazedhopefullyateachother,myfairladyandI.Shewassobeautifulandbeing.ShemadeagesturethatItooktomean“wait”andshutthewindow.
Therewasstillplentyoftimebeforeevening.Iwaitedhopefullyiygarderuckbythebeautyoftheworld,thetreesandthemuddystreet.Beforelong,Hayriyecamein,dressedandcoverednotlikeaservant,butrather,likealadyofthehouse.Withoutnearingeachother,weremovedourselvestothecoverofthefigtrees.
“Everythingisprogressingasplanned,”Isaidtoher.IshowedherthedotI’dobtainedfromtheproxy.“Shekureisdivorced.Asforthepreacherfromanhborhood…”Iwasgoingtoadd,“I’llseetothat,”butinsteadblurtedout,“He’sonhisway.Shekureshouldbeready.”
“Nomatterhowsmall,Shekurewantsabride’sprocession,followedbyaneighborhoodreceptionwithaweddi.We’vepreparedastewpotofpilafwithalmondsanddriedapricots.”
Iement,sheseemedpreparedtotellmeeverythingelseshe’dcookedbutIcutheroff.“Iftheweddingisgoingtobesuelaborateaffair,”Icautioned,“Hasanandhismenwillhearofit;they’llraidthehouse,disgraceus,havethemarriagenullifiedandwe’llbeabletodonothingaboutit.Allour
effortswillhavebeeninvain.WeoprotectourselvesnotonlyfromHasanandhisfather,butfromthedevilwhomurderedEnishteEffendiaswell.Aren’tyouafraid?”
“Howcouldwenotbe?”shesaidaocry.
“You’renottotellahing,”Isaid.“DressEnishteinhisnightclothes,spreadouthismattressandlayhimuponit,notasadeadman,butasthoughheweresick.Arrangeglassesandbottlesofsyrupbyhishead,anddrawtheshuttersclosed.MakecertaintherearenolampsinhisroomsothatheactasShekure’sguardian,hersickfather,duringtheceremony.There’snoplaowforabride’sprocession.Youviteahandfulofneighborsatthelastmihat’sall.Whileyou’reinvitingthem,saythatthiswasEnishteEffendi’slastwish…Itwon’tbeajoyouswedding,butamelancholyone.Ifwedon’tseeourselvesthroughthisaffair,they’lldestroyus,andthey’llpunishyouaswell.Youuand,don’tyou?”
Shenoddedasshewept.Mountingmywhitehorse,IsaidI’dsecurethewitnessesaurnbeforelong,thatShekureoughttobeready,thathereafter,Iwouldbemasterofthehouse,andthatIwasgoingtothebarber.Ihadn’tthoughtthroughanyofthisbeforehand.AsIspoke,thedetailscametome,andjustasI’dfeltduringbattlesfromtimetotime,IhadthevithatIwasacherishedandfavoredservantofGodandHerotegme;thus,everythingwasgoingtoturnoutfine.Whenyoufeelthistrust,dowhateverestomind,followyourintuitionandyouraswillprovecorrect.
IrodefourblockstowardtheGoldenHornfromtheYakutlarneighborhoodtofindtheblack-bearded,radiant-facedpreacherofthemosqueinYasinPasha,theadjaeighborhood;broominhand,hewasshooingshamelessdogsoutofthemuddycourtyard.Itoldhimaboutmypredit.BythewillofGod,Iexplained,myEnishte’stimeonhim,andacctohislastwish,Iwastomarryhisdaughter,who,bydecisionoftheüsküdarjudge,hadjustbeengrantedadivorahusbandlostatwar.ThepreacherobjectedthatbythedictatesofIslamiclawadivorustwaitamonthbeforeremarrying,butIteredbyexplainingthatShekure’sformerhusbandhadbeeforfouryears;andso,therewasnocesheregnantbyhim.IhasteoaddthattheüsküdarjudgegrantedadivorcethismtoallowShekuretoremarry,andIshowedhimthecertifyingdot.“MyexaltedImamEffendi,youmayrestassuredthatthere’snoobstaarriage,”Isaid.True,shewasabloodrelation,butbeingmaternalcousinsisnotanobstacle;herpreviousmarriagehadbeennullified;therewerenious,sooarydiffereweenus.AndifheacceptedthegoldpiecesIofferedhimupfront,ifheperformedtheceremonyattheweddingscheduledtotakeplacebeforetheentireneighborhood,he’dalsobeaplishingapiousactbefodforthefatherlesschildrenofaoman.DidtheImamEffendi,Iinquired,enjoypilafwithalmondsanddriedapricots?
Hedid,buthewasstillpreoccupiedwiththedogsatthegate.Hetookthegolds.Hesaidhe’ddonhisweddingrobes,straightenuphisappearance,seetohisturbanandarriveioperformthenuptials.HeaskedthewaytothehouseandItoldhim.
Nomatterhowrushedaweddingmightbe—evethegroomhasdreamedaboutfortwelveyears—whatcouldbemorenaturalthanhisfettinghisworriesandtroublesandsurrenderingtotheaffeatehandsalebanterofabarberforaprenuptialshaveandhaircut?Thebarber’s,wheremyfeettookme,waslocatedhemarket,oreetoftherun-downhouseinAksaray,whichmylateEnishte,myauntandfairShekurehadquittedyearsafterourchildhood.ThiswasthebarberI’dfacedfivedaysago,myfirstdayback.WheeredheembracedmeandasanygoodIstanbulbarberwoulddo,ratherthanaskihelastdozenyearshadgone,lauothelatestneighborhoodgossip,cludingtheversationwithanallusiontotheplacewewouldallgoattheendofthismeaningfuljourneycalledlife.
Themasterbarberhadaged.Thestraight-edgedrazorheheldinhisfreckledhandtrembledashemadeitdanceaycheek.He’dgivenhimselfovertodrinkingandhadtakenonapink-plexioned,full-lipped,green-eyedboy-apprentice—wholookeduponhismasterwithawe.paredwithtwelveyearsago,theshopwaserandmoreorderly.Afterfillingthehangingbasin,whigfromtheceilingonanew,withboilingwater,hecarefullywashedmyhairandfacewithwaterfromthebrassfaucetatthebottomofthebasin.Theoldbroadbasinswereihnosignsofrust,theheatingbrazierswere,ae-handledrazorsweresharp.Heworeanimmaculatesilkwaistcoat,somethinghewasloathtoweartwelveyearsago.Iassumedthattheelegantappreallforhisageandofslenderbuild,hadhelpedbringsomeordertotheshopanditsowner,andsurrenderingmyselftothesoapy,rose-stedandsteamypleasuresofashave,Icouldhinkinghenotonlybroughtalityandprosperitytoabachelor’shome,buttohisworkandhisshopaswell.
I’mainhowmuchtimehadpassed.Imeltedintothewarmthofthebrazierthatgentlyheatedthesmallshopandthebarber’sadeptfingers.Withlifehavingsuddenlypresehegreatestofgiftstoday,asifforfree,andaftersomuchsuffering,IfeltaprofoundthankstowardexaltedAllah.Ifeltanintensecuriosity,woutofwhatmysteriousbalahisworldofHishademerged,asadnessandpityforEnishte,wholaydeadinthehousewhere,awhilelater,Iwouldbeaster.Iwasreadyingmyselftintoawhentherewasaotionatthealways-opendoorofthebarbershop:Shevket!
Flustered,butwithhisusualself-fidence,heheldoutapieceofpaper.Uospeakandexpegtheworst,myinsideswerechilledasifbyanicydraftasIread:
Ifthereisn’tgoingtobeabride’sprocession,I’mingmarried—Shekure.
Grabbibythearm,Iliftedhimontomylap.Iwould’velikedtohaverespoomydearShekurebywriting,“Asyouwish,mylove!”butwhatwouldpenandinkbedoingintheshopofanilliteratebarber?So,withacalculatedreserve,Iwhisperedmyrespootheboy’sear:“Allright.”Stillwhispering,Iaskedhimhowhisgrandfatherwasdoing.
“He’ssleeping.”
IhatShevket,thebarberandevenyouaresuspiciousaboutmeandmyEnishte’sdeath(Shevket,ofcourse,suspectsotherthingsaswell).ity!Iforcedakissuponhim,andhequicklyleft,displeased.Duringthewedding,dressedinhisholidayclothes,heglaredatmewithhostilityfromadistance.
SinceShekurewouldn’tbeleaviher’shouseformine,andIwouldbemovingintothepaternalhomeasbridegroom,thebridalprocessionwasonlyfitting.Naturally,IwasinnopositiontobedeckmywealthyfriendsaivesandhavethemwaitatShekure’sfrontgatemouheirhorsesashthavedone.Evenso,IiwoofmychildhoodfriendswhomI’drunintmysixdaysbaIstanbul(onehadbeeaclerklikemyselfaherwasrunningabathhouse)aswellasmydearbarber,whoseeyeshadwateredashewishedmehappinessduringmyshaveandhaircut.Mounteduponmywhitehorse,whichI’dbeenridingthatfirstday,IkmybelovedShekure’sgateasifpoisedtotakehertoanotherhouseandanotherlife.
ToHayriye,whoopehegate,Ipresentedageneroustip.Shekure,dressedinabright-redweddinggownwithpinkbridalstreamersflowingfromherhairtoherfeet,emergedamidcries,sobs,sighs(awomanscoldedthechildren),outbursts,andshoutsof“MayGodprotecther,”andgracefullymountedasedwhitehorsewhichwe’dbroughtwithus.Asahand-drummerandshrillzurnapiper,kindlyarrahebarberformeatthelastminute,begantoplayaslowbride’smelody,ourpoor,melancholy,yetproudprocessioonitsway.
Asourhorsesbegantosaunter,IuoodthatShekure,withherusualing,hadarrahisspectacleforthesakeofsafeguardiials.Ourprocession,havingannouncedourweddingtotheentireneighborhood,evenifonlyatthelastmoment,hadessentiallysecuredeveryone’sapproval,therebyralizinganyfutureobjestoourmarriage.heless,announgthatwewereonthevergee,andhavingapublicwedding—asiftochallengeourenemies,Shekure’sformerhusbandandhisfamily—furtherendahewholeaffair.Haditbeeome,I’dhaveheldtheceremonyi,withouttellingasoul,withoutaweddingcelebration;I’dhavepreferredbeingherhusbandfirstanddefendingthemarriageafterward.
Iledtheparadeastridemyficklewhitefairy-talehorse,andaswemovedthroughtheneighborhood,InervouslywatchedforHasanandhismen,whomIexpectedtoambushusfromanalleywayorashadowycourtyardgate.Inoticedhowyouheeldersoftheneighborhoodandstraoppedandwavedfromdoorfronts,withoutpletelyuandingallthatwastranspiring.Inthesmallmarketareawe’duionallyentered,IfiguredoutthatShekurehadmasterfullyactivatedhergrapevine,andthatherdivordmarriagetomewasquicklywinningacceptaheneighborhood.Thiswasevidentfromtheexcitementofthefruit-aableseller,whowithoutleavinghiscolorfulquinces,carrotsandapplesfortoolong,joinedusforafewstridesshouting“PraisebetoGod,mayHeprotectyouboth,”andfromthesmileofthewoefulshopkeeperandfromtheapprovingglahebaker,whowashavinghisapprenticescrapeawaytheburntresidueinhispans.Still,Iwasanxious,maintainingmyvigilagainstasuddenraid,orevenawordofvulgarheg.Forthisreason,Iwasn’tatalldisturbedbytheotionofthecrowdofmoney-seekingchildrenthat
hadformedbehindusasweleftthebazaar.IuoodfromthesmilesofwomenIglimpsedbehindwindows,barsandshuttersthattheenthusiasmofthisnoisythrongofchildrenprotectedandsupportedus.
AsIgazedattheroadalongwhichwe’dadvandwerenow,thankGod,finallywindingourwaybacktowardthehouse,myheartwaswithShekureandhersorrow.Actually,itwasn’thermisfortuneinhavingtowedwithinadayofherfather’smurderthatsaddewasthattheweddingwassounadornedandmeager.MydearShekurewasworthyofhorseswithsilverreinsandoredsaddles,mountedridersoutfittedinsableandsilkwithgoldembroidery,andhundredsesladenwithgiftsanddowry;shedeservedtoleadanendlessprocessionofpasha’sdaughters,sultansandcarriagesfullofelderlyharemwomenchatteringabouttheextravagancesofdaysbygoShekure’sweddinglackedeventhefourpolebearerstoholdalofttheredsilkopythatordinarilyprotectedrichmaidensfreyes;forthatmatter,therewasn’tevenoneservanttoleadtheprocessionbearinglargeweddingdlesandtree-shapeddecorationsoredwithfruit,gold,silverleafandpolishedstones.Morethanembarrassment,Ifeltasadhatthreateofillmyeyeswithtearseachtimethedisrespectfulhand-drumandzurnaplayerssimplystoppedplayingwhenourprocessiongotswallowedupincrowdsofmarket-goersorservagwaterfromthefountaininthesquarebecausewehadnooneclearingthewaywithshoutsof“Hereesthebride.”Aswewerenearingthehouse,Imusteredthecetoturninmysaddleandgazeather,andwasrelievedthatbehherpinkbride’stinselandredveil,farfrombeingsaddenedbyallthesepitifulshortings,sheseemedhearteoknowthatwe’dcludedourprocessionandourjourhheractnormishap.So,likeallgrooms,Iloweredmybeautifulbride,whomIwouldshortlywed,fromherhorse,tookherbythearm,andhandfulbyhandful,slowlyemptiedabagofsilversoverherheadbeforethegleefulcrowd.Whilethechildrenwho’dfollowedbehinderparadescrambledforthes,Shekureaeredthecourtyardandcrossedthestonewalkway,andassooeredthehouse,wewerestruotonlybytheheat,butthehorroroftheheavysmellofdecay.
Whilethethrongfromtheprocessionwasmakingitselffortableinthehouse,Shekureandthecrowdofelders,womenandchildren(Orhanwasglaringsuspiciouslyatmefromtheer)carriedonasifnothingwereamiss,andmomentarilyIdoubtedmysenses;butIknewhowcorpsesleftuhesutle,theirclothestattered,bootsasstolen,andtheirfaces,theireyesandlipsravagedbywolvesandbirdssmelled.ItwasastenchthathadsooftenfilledmymouthandlungstothepointofsuffocationthatIcouldnotmistakeit.
Downstairsi,IaskedHayriyeaboutEnishteEffendi’sbody,awarethatIeakingtoherforthefirsttimeasmasterofthehouse.
“Asyouasked,welaidouthismattress,dressedhiminhisnightclothes,drewhisquiltoverhimandplacedbottlesofsyrupbesidehim.Ifhe’sgivingoffanunpleasantsmell,it’sprobablyduetotheheatfromthebrazierintheroom,”thewomansaidthroughtears.
Owoofhertearsfell,sizzlingintothepotshewasusingtofrythemutton.Fromthewayshewas
g,IsupposedthatEnishteEffendihadbeentakiohisbedatnight.Esther,whowasquietlyandproudlysittinginaerofthekit,swallowedwhatshewaschewingandstood.
“Makeherhappinessyourforemost,”shesaid.“Reizeherworth.”
InmythoughtsIheardtheluteI’dheardoreetthefirstdayI’detoIstanbul.Morethansadherewasvigorinitsmelody.Iheardthemelodyofthatmusicagainlater,inthehalf-darkenedroomwheremyEnishtelayinhiswhitenightgown,astheImamEffendimarriedus.
BecauseHayriyehadfurtivelyairedouttheroombeforehandandplacedtheoillampinaersoitslightwasdimmed,onecouldscarcelytellthatmyEnishtewassickletalohus,heservedasShekure’slegalguardianduringtheceremony.Myfriendthebarber,alongwithaknow-it-allneighborhoodelder,servedaswitnesses.Beforetheceremonyehthehopefulblessingsandadviceofthepreacherandtheprayersofallinattendanosyoldman,edaboutthestateofmyEnishte’shealth,wasabouttolowerhisskepticalheadtowardthedeceased;butassoonasthepreacherpletedtheceremony,Ileaptfrommyspot,grabbedmyEnishte’srigidhandandshoutedatthetopofmyvoice:
“Putyourworriestorest,mysir,mydearEnishte.I’lldoeverythingwithinmypowertoc松语文学www.16sy.coM免费小说阅读
AftermakingversationwithmylandladywhointerrogatedmeatthefrontdoorastowhereI’dgoneandwhenceIwasingatthismhour,Iwenttomyroomandremovedthetwenty-twoVeiangoldpiecesfromtheliningofthesashI’dhiddeninmymattress,plagtheminmymoneypursewithtremblingfingers.Wheurhestreet,IknewimmediatelyI’dseeShekure’sdark,teary,troubledeyesfortherestoftheday.
IgedfiveoftheVeianLionsataperpetuallysmilingJewishmoneyger.,deepin
thought,IeheneighborhoodwhosenameI’veyettomentionbecauseI’mnotfondofit:Yakutlar,wheremydeceasedEnishteandShekure,alongwithherchildren,awaitedmeattheirhouse.AsImademywayaloreetsalmostrunning,atallplareeseemedtoreproachmeforbeingoverjoyedbydreamsandplanseontheverydaymyEnishtehadpassedaway.,astheicehadmelted,astreetfountainhissedintomyear:“Don’ttakematterstooseriously,seetoyourownaffairsandyouroiness.”“That’sallfineandgood,”objectedanill-omenedblackcatlighimselfontheer,“buteverybody,yourselfincluded,suspectsyouhadahandinyouruncle’smurder.”
ThecatleftofflighimselfasIsuddenlycaughtsightofitsbewitgeyes.Idon’thavetotellyouhowbrazentheseIstanbulcatsgetwhenthelocalsspoilthem.
IfoundtheImamEffendi,whosedroopyeyelidsandlargeblackeyesgavehimaperpetuallysleepylook,notathishouse,butinthecourtyardoftheneighborhoodmosque,andthereIaskedhimquiteatriviallegalquestion:“Whenisoneobligatedtotestifyincourt?”IraisedmyeyebrowsasIlisteohishaughtyanswerasifIwerehearingthisinformationforthefirsttime.“Bearingwitnessisoptionalifotherwitnessesarepresent,”explaiheImamEffendi,“but,insituatioherewasonlyoness,itisthewillofGodthatonebearwitness.”
“That’sjustthepreditIfindmyselfinnow,”Isaid,takinguptheversation.“Inasituationeveryoneknowsabout,allthewitnesseshaveshirkedtheirresponsibilitiesandavoidedgoingtocourtwiththeexcusethat”it’sonlyvoluntary,“andasaresultthepressingsofthoseI’mtryingtohelparebeingpletelydisregarded.”
“Well,”saidtheImamEffendi,“whydon’tyouloosenyourpurse-stringsalittlemore?”
ItookoutmypoudshowedhimtheVeiangoldpieceshuddledwithin:Thebroadspaceofthemosquecourtyard,thefaceofthepreacher,everythingwassuddenlyillumiheglimmerofgold.Heaskedmewhatmydilemmawasallabout.
IexplainedwhoIwas.“EnishteEffendiisill,”Ifided.“Beforehedies,hewantshisdaughter’swidowhoodcertifiedandanalimonytobeinstituted.”
Ididn’teveomentiontheproxyoftheüsküdarjudge.TheImamEffendiuoodatondsaidtheentireneighborhoodhadloroubledoverthefateofhaplessShekure,addingthatthesituationhadalreadypersistedtoolong.Insteadofseargforasedwitnessrequiredfalseparationatthedooroftheüsküdarjudge,theImamEffendisuggestedhisbrother.Now,ifIweretoofferanadditionalgoldpiecetothebrother,wholivedintheneighborhoodandwasfamiliarwiththepreditofShekureandherdarlingchildren,I’dbedoingagoodpiousturn.Afterall,foronlytwogoldstheImamEffendiwasgivingmeadealonthesedwitness.Weimmediatelyagreed.TheImamEffeofetchhisbrother.
Therestofourdayratherresembledthe“cat-and-mouse”storiesthatI’dwatchedstorytellersinAleppocoffeehousesactout.Becauseofalltheadverickery,suchstorieswrittenupasnarrativepoemsandboundwereakenseriouslyevenifpresentedinfinecalligraphy;thatis,theywereneverillustrated.I,oherhand,wasquitepleasedtodivideourdaylongadveofourses,imaginingeatheillustratedpagesofmymind.
Inthefirstse,theminiaturistoughttodepictusamidmustachioedandmusen,fourwayacrosstheblueBosphorustowardüsküdarinthefour-oaredredlongboatwe’dboardedinUnkapan1.Thepreacherandhisskinnydark-plexionedbrother,pleasedwiththesurprisevoyage,areengagingtheoarsmeninfriendlychatter.Meanwhile,amidblithedreamsethatplayceaselesslybeforemyeyes,IstaredeepintothewatersoftheBosphorus,flowingclearerthanusualonthissunnywinterm,onguardforanominoussignwithinitscurrents.I’mafraid,forexample,thatImightseethewreckofapirateshipbelow.Thus,nomatterhowjoyouslytheminiaturistcolorstheseaandclouds,heoughttoincludesomethingequivalenttothedarknessofmyfearsandasintenseasmydreamsofhappiness—aterrifying-lookingfish,forexample—ihsofthewatersothereaderofmyadventurewon’tassumeallisrosy.
Oursedpictureoughttoshowthepalacesofsultans,themeetingsoftheDivancilofState,thereceptionofEuropeanambassadors,aailedandcarefullyposedcrowdedinteriorsofasubtletyworthyofBihzad;thatis,thepictureoughttopartakeofplayfultridirony.Thereby,whiletheKadiEffendiapparentlymakesanopen-handed“halt”gestureindig“never”or“no”tomybribe,withhisotherhandheoughttobeshownobliginglypocketingmyVeiangolds,aimateresultofthisbribeshouldbedepictedinthesamepicture:ShahapEffendi,theShafüproxypresidinginplaceoftheüsküdarjudge.Thesimultaneousdepiofsequentialeventscouldonlybeachievedthroughanintelligentminiaturist’singfacilityinpageposition.Thus,whentheobserver,whofirstseesmegivingabribe,noticeselsewhereinthepaintingthatthemansittingcross-leggedonthejudge’scushionistheproxy,he’llrealize,evenifhehashestory,thatthehonorablejudgehastempivenuphisofficesohisproxymightgrantShekureadivorce.
Thethirdillustrationshouldshowthesamese,butthistimethewallorionshouldbedarkerandreheesestyle,thecurlybranchesbeingmoreintricateanddense,andcolorfulcloudsshouldappearabovethejudge’sproxysothechieryihtbeapparent.ThoughtheImamEffendiandhisbrotherhaveactuallytestifiedseparatelybeforethejudge’sproxy,intheillustrationtheyareshowherexplaininghowthehusbandofanguishedShekurehasurnedfromwarforfouryears,howsheisinastateofdestitutionwithoutahusbandtolookafterher,howhertwofatherlesschildrenareperpetuallyintearsandhungry,howthereisnoprospearriagebecauseshe’sstillsideredmarried,andhowinthisstateshe’tevenreceivealoanwithoutpermissionfromherhusband.They’resovingthatevenamanasdeafasastonewouldgrantheradivorcethroughacascadeoftears.Theheartlessproxy,however,having,asksaboutShekure’slegalguardian.Afteramomentofhesitation,Iimmediatelyinterrupt,declaringthatheresteemedfather,whohasservedasheraldandambassadorforOurSultan,isstillalive.
“Untilhetestifiesincourt,I’llnevergrantheradivorce!”saidtheproxy.
Thereupon,thhlyflustered,IexplainedhowmyEnishteEffendiwasill,bed-riddenandstrugglingforhislife,howhislastwishtoGodwastoseehisdaughterdivorced,andhowIwashisrepresentative.
“Whatdoesshewantwithadivorce?”askedtheproxy.“Whywouldadyingmanwanttoseehisdaughterdivorcedfromherhusbandwho’slongvawaranyway?Listen,I’duandiftherewereagood,trustworthydidateforson-in-law,becausethenhewouldn’tpassawaywithhiswishunfulfilled.”
“Thereisaprospect,sir,”Isaid.
“Whomightthatbe?”
“ItisI!”
“enow!You’retheguardian’srepresentative!”saidthejudge’sproxy.“Whatlineofworkareyouin?”
“Iernprovinces,Iservedassecretary,chiefsecretaryandassistanttreasurertovariouspashas.IpletedahistoryofthePersianwarsthatIiopresenttoOurSultan.I’maoisseurofillustratinganddecoration.I’vebeenburningwithloveforthiswomanfortwentyyears.”
“Areyouarelativeofhers?”
Iwassoembarrassedathavingfallensoabruptlyanduedlyintogrovelingmeeknessbeforethejudge’sproxy,athavingbaredmylifelikesomedullobjectdevoidofanymystery,thatIfellpletelysilent.
“Insteadbeetred,givemeananswer,youngmaIrefusetograntheradivorce.”
“She’sthedaughterofmymaternalaunt.”
“Hmmm,Isee.Willyoubeabletomakeherhappy?”
Whenheaskedthequestionhemadeavulgarhaure.Theminiaturistshouldomitthisindelicacy.It’dbeenoughforhimtoshowhowmuchIblushed.
“Imakeadetliving.”
“AsIbelongtotheShafüsect,thereisnothingtrarytotheHolyBookormycreedinmygrantingthedivorceofthisunfortunateShekure,whosehusbandhasbeenmissingatthefrontforfouryears,”
saidtheProxyEffendi.“IgrantthedivordIrulethatherhusbandnolongerhasanysupergrightsshouldhereturn.”
Thesubsequentillustration,thatis,thefourth,oughttodepicttheproxyrecthedivortheledger,unleashingobedientarmiesofblakletters,beforepresentihthedotdeclaringthatmyShekureisnoandthereisnoobstacletoherimmediateremarriage.herbypaintingthewallsofthecourtroomred,norbysituatiurewithinbloodredborderscouldtheblissfulinnerradianceIfeltatthatmomentbeexpressed.Runningbackthroughthecrowdoffalsewitnessesandatheringbeforethejudge’sdoorseekingdivorcesfortheirsisters,daughtersorevenaunts,Isetoutournjourney.
AfterIcrossedtheBosphorusandheadeddirectlytotheYakutlarneighborhood,IdismissedboththesiderateImamEffendi,whowaoperformthemarriageceremony,andhisbrother.SinceIsuspectedeveryoneIsaworeetofhatgsomemischiefoutofjealousyovertheincrediblehappinessIwasonthevergeofattaining,IranstraighttoShekure’sstreet.Howhadtheominouscrowsdivihepresenceofabodyinthehouseandtakentohoppingarouedlyoerra-cottashingles?IwasoverebyguiltbecauseIhadn’tbeeogrieveformyEnishteorevenshedasiear;evenso,Iknewfromthetightlyclosedshuttersanddoorofthehouse,fromthesilendevenfromthelookofthepomegrareethateverythingroceedingasplanned.
Iwasagintuitivelyihaste.Itossedastohecourtyardgatebutmissed!Itossedahehouse.Itlaheroof.Frustrated,Ibegaingthehousewithstones.Awindowopewasthesed-storywindowwherefourdaysago,onWednesday,I’dfirstseenShekurethroughthebrahepomegraree.Orhanappeared,andfromthegapitersIcouldhearShekurescoldinghim.ThenIsawher.Foramoment,wegazedhopefullyateachother,myfairladyandI.Shewassobeautifulandbeing.ShemadeagesturethatItooktomean“wait”andshutthewindow.
Therewasstillplentyoftimebeforeevening.Iwaitedhopefullyiygarderuckbythebeautyoftheworld,thetreesandthemuddystreet.Beforelong,Hayriyecamein,dressedandcoverednotlikeaservant,butrather,likealadyofthehouse.Withoutnearingeachother,weremovedourselvestothecoverofthefigtrees.
“Everythingisprogressingasplanned,”Isaidtoher.IshowedherthedotI’dobtainedfromtheproxy.“Shekureisdivorced.Asforthepreacherfromanhborhood…”Iwasgoingtoadd,“I’llseetothat,”butinsteadblurtedout,“He’sonhisway.Shekureshouldbeready.”
“Nomatterhowsmall,Shekurewantsabride’sprocession,followedbyaneighborhoodreceptionwithaweddi.We’vepreparedastewpotofpilafwithalmondsanddriedapricots.”
Iement,sheseemedpreparedtotellmeeverythingelseshe’dcookedbutIcutheroff.“Iftheweddingisgoingtobesuelaborateaffair,”Icautioned,“Hasanandhismenwillhearofit;they’llraidthehouse,disgraceus,havethemarriagenullifiedandwe’llbeabletodonothingaboutit.Allour
effortswillhavebeeninvain.WeoprotectourselvesnotonlyfromHasanandhisfather,butfromthedevilwhomurderedEnishteEffendiaswell.Aren’tyouafraid?”
“Howcouldwenotbe?”shesaidaocry.
“You’renottotellahing,”Isaid.“DressEnishteinhisnightclothes,spreadouthismattressandlayhimuponit,notasadeadman,butasthoughheweresick.Arrangeglassesandbottlesofsyrupbyhishead,anddrawtheshuttersclosed.MakecertaintherearenolampsinhisroomsothatheactasShekure’sguardian,hersickfather,duringtheceremony.There’snoplaowforabride’sprocession.Youviteahandfulofneighborsatthelastmihat’sall.Whileyou’reinvitingthem,saythatthiswasEnishteEffendi’slastwish…Itwon’tbeajoyouswedding,butamelancholyone.Ifwedon’tseeourselvesthroughthisaffair,they’lldestroyus,andthey’llpunishyouaswell.Youuand,don’tyou?”
Shenoddedasshewept.Mountingmywhitehorse,IsaidI’dsecurethewitnessesaurnbeforelong,thatShekureoughttobeready,thathereafter,Iwouldbemasterofthehouse,andthatIwasgoingtothebarber.Ihadn’tthoughtthroughanyofthisbeforehand.AsIspoke,thedetailscametome,andjustasI’dfeltduringbattlesfromtimetotime,IhadthevithatIwasacherishedandfavoredservantofGodandHerotegme;thus,everythingwasgoingtoturnoutfine.Whenyoufeelthistrust,dowhateverestomind,followyourintuitionandyouraswillprovecorrect.
IrodefourblockstowardtheGoldenHornfromtheYakutlarneighborhoodtofindtheblack-bearded,radiant-facedpreacherofthemosqueinYasinPasha,theadjaeighborhood;broominhand,hewasshooingshamelessdogsoutofthemuddycourtyard.Itoldhimaboutmypredit.BythewillofGod,Iexplained,myEnishte’stimeonhim,andacctohislastwish,Iwastomarryhisdaughter,who,bydecisionoftheüsküdarjudge,hadjustbeengrantedadivorahusbandlostatwar.ThepreacherobjectedthatbythedictatesofIslamiclawadivorustwaitamonthbeforeremarrying,butIteredbyexplainingthatShekure’sformerhusbandhadbeeforfouryears;andso,therewasnocesheregnantbyhim.IhasteoaddthattheüsküdarjudgegrantedadivorcethismtoallowShekuretoremarry,andIshowedhimthecertifyingdot.“MyexaltedImamEffendi,youmayrestassuredthatthere’snoobstaarriage,”Isaid.True,shewasabloodrelation,butbeingmaternalcousinsisnotanobstacle;herpreviousmarriagehadbeennullified;therewerenious,sooarydiffereweenus.AndifheacceptedthegoldpiecesIofferedhimupfront,ifheperformedtheceremonyattheweddingscheduledtotakeplacebeforetheentireneighborhood,he’dalsobeaplishingapiousactbefodforthefatherlesschildrenofaoman.DidtheImamEffendi,Iinquired,enjoypilafwithalmondsanddriedapricots?
Hedid,buthewasstillpreoccupiedwiththedogsatthegate.Hetookthegolds.Hesaidhe’ddonhisweddingrobes,straightenuphisappearance,seetohisturbanandarriveioperformthenuptials.HeaskedthewaytothehouseandItoldhim.
Nomatterhowrushedaweddingmightbe—evethegroomhasdreamedaboutfortwelveyears—whatcouldbemorenaturalthanhisfettinghisworriesandtroublesandsurrenderingtotheaffeatehandsalebanterofabarberforaprenuptialshaveandhaircut?Thebarber’s,wheremyfeettookme,waslocatedhemarket,oreetoftherun-downhouseinAksaray,whichmylateEnishte,myauntandfairShekurehadquittedyearsafterourchildhood.ThiswasthebarberI’dfacedfivedaysago,myfirstdayback.WheeredheembracedmeandasanygoodIstanbulbarberwoulddo,ratherthanaskihelastdozenyearshadgone,lauothelatestneighborhoodgossip,cludingtheversationwithanallusiontotheplacewewouldallgoattheendofthismeaningfuljourneycalledlife.
Themasterbarberhadaged.Thestraight-edgedrazorheheldinhisfreckledhandtrembledashemadeitdanceaycheek.He’dgivenhimselfovertodrinkingandhadtakenonapink-plexioned,full-lipped,green-eyedboy-apprentice—wholookeduponhismasterwithawe.paredwithtwelveyearsago,theshopwaserandmoreorderly.Afterfillingthehangingbasin,whigfromtheceilingonanew,withboilingwater,hecarefullywashedmyhairandfacewithwaterfromthebrassfaucetatthebottomofthebasin.Theoldbroadbasinswereihnosignsofrust,theheatingbrazierswere,ae-handledrazorsweresharp.Heworeanimmaculatesilkwaistcoat,somethinghewasloathtoweartwelveyearsago.Iassumedthattheelegantappreallforhisageandofslenderbuild,hadhelpedbringsomeordertotheshopanditsowner,andsurrenderingmyselftothesoapy,rose-stedandsteamypleasuresofashave,Icouldhinkinghenotonlybroughtalityandprosperitytoabachelor’shome,buttohisworkandhisshopaswell.
I’mainhowmuchtimehadpassed.Imeltedintothewarmthofthebrazierthatgentlyheatedthesmallshopandthebarber’sadeptfingers.Withlifehavingsuddenlypresehegreatestofgiftstoday,asifforfree,andaftersomuchsuffering,IfeltaprofoundthankstowardexaltedAllah.Ifeltanintensecuriosity,woutofwhatmysteriousbalahisworldofHishademerged,asadnessandpityforEnishte,wholaydeadinthehousewhere,awhilelater,Iwouldbeaster.Iwasreadyingmyselftintoawhentherewasaotionatthealways-opendoorofthebarbershop:Shevket!
Flustered,butwithhisusualself-fidence,heheldoutapieceofpaper.Uospeakandexpegtheworst,myinsideswerechilledasifbyanicydraftasIread:
Ifthereisn’tgoingtobeabride’sprocession,I’mingmarried—Shekure.
Grabbibythearm,Iliftedhimontomylap.Iwould’velikedtohaverespoomydearShekurebywriting,“Asyouwish,mylove!”butwhatwouldpenandinkbedoingintheshopofanilliteratebarber?So,withacalculatedreserve,Iwhisperedmyrespootheboy’sear:“Allright.”Stillwhispering,Iaskedhimhowhisgrandfatherwasdoing.
“He’ssleeping.”
IhatShevket,thebarberandevenyouaresuspiciousaboutmeandmyEnishte’sdeath(Shevket,ofcourse,suspectsotherthingsaswell).ity!Iforcedakissuponhim,andhequicklyleft,displeased.Duringthewedding,dressedinhisholidayclothes,heglaredatmewithhostilityfromadistance.
SinceShekurewouldn’tbeleaviher’shouseformine,andIwouldbemovingintothepaternalhomeasbridegroom,thebridalprocessionwasonlyfitting.Naturally,IwasinnopositiontobedeckmywealthyfriendsaivesandhavethemwaitatShekure’sfrontgatemouheirhorsesashthavedone.Evenso,IiwoofmychildhoodfriendswhomI’drunintmysixdaysbaIstanbul(onehadbeeaclerklikemyselfaherwasrunningabathhouse)aswellasmydearbarber,whoseeyeshadwateredashewishedmehappinessduringmyshaveandhaircut.Mounteduponmywhitehorse,whichI’dbeenridingthatfirstday,IkmybelovedShekure’sgateasifpoisedtotakehertoanotherhouseandanotherlife.
ToHayriye,whoopehegate,Ipresentedageneroustip.Shekure,dressedinabright-redweddinggownwithpinkbridalstreamersflowingfromherhairtoherfeet,emergedamidcries,sobs,sighs(awomanscoldedthechildren),outbursts,andshoutsof“MayGodprotecther,”andgracefullymountedasedwhitehorsewhichwe’dbroughtwithus.Asahand-drummerandshrillzurnapiper,kindlyarrahebarberformeatthelastminute,begantoplayaslowbride’smelody,ourpoor,melancholy,yetproudprocessioonitsway.
Asourhorsesbegantosaunter,IuoodthatShekure,withherusualing,hadarrahisspectacleforthesakeofsafeguardiials.Ourprocession,havingannouncedourweddingtotheentireneighborhood,evenifonlyatthelastmoment,hadessentiallysecuredeveryone’sapproval,therebyralizinganyfutureobjestoourmarriage.heless,announgthatwewereonthevergee,andhavingapublicwedding—asiftochallengeourenemies,Shekure’sformerhusbandandhisfamily—furtherendahewholeaffair.Haditbeeome,I’dhaveheldtheceremonyi,withouttellingasoul,withoutaweddingcelebration;I’dhavepreferredbeingherhusbandfirstanddefendingthemarriageafterward.
Iledtheparadeastridemyficklewhitefairy-talehorse,andaswemovedthroughtheneighborhood,InervouslywatchedforHasanandhismen,whomIexpectedtoambushusfromanalleywayorashadowycourtyardgate.Inoticedhowyouheeldersoftheneighborhoodandstraoppedandwavedfromdoorfronts,withoutpletelyuandingallthatwastranspiring.Inthesmallmarketareawe’duionallyentered,IfiguredoutthatShekurehadmasterfullyactivatedhergrapevine,andthatherdivordmarriagetomewasquicklywinningacceptaheneighborhood.Thiswasevidentfromtheexcitementofthefruit-aableseller,whowithoutleavinghiscolorfulquinces,carrotsandapplesfortoolong,joinedusforafewstridesshouting“PraisebetoGod,mayHeprotectyouboth,”andfromthesmileofthewoefulshopkeeperandfromtheapprovingglahebaker,whowashavinghisapprenticescrapeawaytheburntresidueinhispans.Still,Iwasanxious,maintainingmyvigilagainstasuddenraid,orevenawordofvulgarheg.Forthisreason,Iwasn’tatalldisturbedbytheotionofthecrowdofmoney-seekingchildrenthat
hadformedbehindusasweleftthebazaar.IuoodfromthesmilesofwomenIglimpsedbehindwindows,barsandshuttersthattheenthusiasmofthisnoisythrongofchildrenprotectedandsupportedus.
AsIgazedattheroadalongwhichwe’dadvandwerenow,thankGod,finallywindingourwaybacktowardthehouse,myheartwaswithShekureandhersorrow.Actually,itwasn’thermisfortuneinhavingtowedwithinadayofherfather’smurderthatsaddewasthattheweddingwassounadornedandmeager.MydearShekurewasworthyofhorseswithsilverreinsandoredsaddles,mountedridersoutfittedinsableandsilkwithgoldembroidery,andhundredsesladenwithgiftsanddowry;shedeservedtoleadanendlessprocessionofpasha’sdaughters,sultansandcarriagesfullofelderlyharemwomenchatteringabouttheextravagancesofdaysbygoShekure’sweddinglackedeventhefourpolebearerstoholdalofttheredsilkopythatordinarilyprotectedrichmaidensfreyes;forthatmatter,therewasn’tevenoneservanttoleadtheprocessionbearinglargeweddingdlesandtree-shapeddecorationsoredwithfruit,gold,silverleafandpolishedstones.Morethanembarrassment,Ifeltasadhatthreateofillmyeyeswithtearseachtimethedisrespectfulhand-drumandzurnaplayerssimplystoppedplayingwhenourprocessiongotswallowedupincrowdsofmarket-goersorservagwaterfromthefountaininthesquarebecausewehadnooneclearingthewaywithshoutsof“Hereesthebride.”Aswewerenearingthehouse,Imusteredthecetoturninmysaddleandgazeather,andwasrelievedthatbehherpinkbride’stinselandredveil,farfrombeingsaddenedbyallthesepitifulshortings,sheseemedhearteoknowthatwe’dcludedourprocessionandourjourhheractnormishap.So,likeallgrooms,Iloweredmybeautifulbride,whomIwouldshortlywed,fromherhorse,tookherbythearm,andhandfulbyhandful,slowlyemptiedabagofsilversoverherheadbeforethegleefulcrowd.Whilethechildrenwho’dfollowedbehinderparadescrambledforthes,Shekureaeredthecourtyardandcrossedthestonewalkway,andassooeredthehouse,wewerestruotonlybytheheat,butthehorroroftheheavysmellofdecay.
Whilethethrongfromtheprocessionwasmakingitselffortableinthehouse,Shekureandthecrowdofelders,womenandchildren(Orhanwasglaringsuspiciouslyatmefromtheer)carriedonasifnothingwereamiss,andmomentarilyIdoubtedmysenses;butIknewhowcorpsesleftuhesutle,theirclothestattered,bootsasstolen,andtheirfaces,theireyesandlipsravagedbywolvesandbirdssmelled.ItwasastenchthathadsooftenfilledmymouthandlungstothepointofsuffocationthatIcouldnotmistakeit.
Downstairsi,IaskedHayriyeaboutEnishteEffendi’sbody,awarethatIeakingtoherforthefirsttimeasmasterofthehouse.
“Asyouasked,welaidouthismattress,dressedhiminhisnightclothes,drewhisquiltoverhimandplacedbottlesofsyrupbesidehim.Ifhe’sgivingoffanunpleasantsmell,it’sprobablyduetotheheatfromthebrazierintheroom,”thewomansaidthroughtears.
Owoofhertearsfell,sizzlingintothepotshewasusingtofrythemutton.Fromthewayshewas
g,IsupposedthatEnishteEffendihadbeentakiohisbedatnight.Esther,whowasquietlyandproudlysittinginaerofthekit,swallowedwhatshewaschewingandstood.
“Makeherhappinessyourforemost,”shesaid.“Reizeherworth.”
InmythoughtsIheardtheluteI’dheardoreetthefirstdayI’detoIstanbul.Morethansadherewasvigorinitsmelody.Iheardthemelodyofthatmusicagainlater,inthehalf-darkenedroomwheremyEnishtelayinhiswhitenightgown,astheImamEffendimarriedus.
BecauseHayriyehadfurtivelyairedouttheroombeforehandandplacedtheoillampinaersoitslightwasdimmed,onecouldscarcelytellthatmyEnishtewassickletalohus,heservedasShekure’slegalguardianduringtheceremony.Myfriendthebarber,alongwithaknow-it-allneighborhoodelder,servedaswitnesses.Beforetheceremonyehthehopefulblessingsandadviceofthepreacherandtheprayersofallinattendanosyoldman,edaboutthestateofmyEnishte’shealth,wasabouttolowerhisskepticalheadtowardthedeceased;butassoonasthepreacherpletedtheceremony,Ileaptfrommyspot,grabbedmyEnishte’srigidhandandshoutedatthetopofmyvoice:
“Putyourworriestorest,mysir,mydearEnishte.I’lldoeverythingwithinmypowertoc松语文学www.16sy.coM免费小说阅读
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