Not One Sided

9. Like a closed box

I 've dropped down the link of MelÇin's Kalpten Kalbe music. Play while reading to enjoy the chapter :)

Elçin's POV

"I'll send EbuHamid to take care of Anatolia but he'll follow Elçin Hatun's orders. And Elçin hatun 'll follow mine. She 'll no longer stay here but return to Isfahan.
And she'll stay there not only as Kutamışoğlu Suleyman Şah'ın kızı Elçin.."

He took a deep breath, then told,

(Kalpten Kalbe soundtrack starts)
"But also as, 'Sultan Melikşah's wife Elçin hatun'."

I kept staring at his face in astonishment while he spoke this.
I couldn't believe what my ears heard.

(Kalpten kalbe track plays...)
He continued,
"Yes, you all heard it right. I will marry Elçin hatun. Hereafter, none of you 'll question the decisions made by Elçin hatun. None of you 'll term her as a 'betrayer'. You'll abide to what a Selçuklu hatun and Sultan Melikşah's wife orders. Isn't that enough to guarantee Elçin Hatun's loyalty to all of you? Moreover, I'll thoroughly look after this matter later. That's it. I don't want any one of you to put slanders on your ruler and cause distrust among Anatolia and Isfahan. You all can leave now!"

The crowd was very shocked. Whereas, I stood even more bewildered left with no words to speak.
As the crowd spread, I turned to him.

"Sultanım, can we talk for a few minutes?" My voice almost cracked while asking.

He nodded and took me a little farther where only we both stood facing each other.

"Ben Anlamadım. What did you just say Sultanım? M-marry?"

"Ewet! You chose to be on our side. And for the matters to settle, this is the best way for now."

"But there must be some other way out. I can't do this."
I almost screamed.

"What other way? Will you stay in Anatolia and your people 'll continue to mistrust and plot things against you? Is that what you want?"

"Ama.."

"I presented just two choices before you. Not a third one. Either go by this or join with Markus." He told staring right in my eyes.

"But what'll happen later? How' ll everyone react and how would they accept me as Sultan Melikşah's wife?"

"People 'll accept and I know that. And regarding our marriage, "We'll see'."
He told this and left.
(Soundtrack ends)

It seemed very easy for him to tell this. But not for me. I wasn't even sure if he trusted me. His eyes expressed trust for me but he spoke something else.
How could a man marry a woman whom he doesn't trust or love? Why did he decide this? He could've left me in Anatolia offering some help.

I had no other choice but to marry him.

I got ready and we left to Isfahan. Burçak accompanied me too. And the people bid a farewell to me.

After arriving in Isfahan, as expected, everyone was very surprised to see me. Gevher came to greet me.
She seemed very happy.

"Elçin hatun, I'm so glad that you've returned. I thought you'd never come back."
She spoke with a bright smile on her face.

"Sağol Gevher."

I felt really unwell. It was as if my head would burst out of pain.
Melikşah immediately told all of them that we're getting married.
It was a huge shock for everyone.

I almost fainted on the ground because of my headache but Burçak and Gevher held me.

"Take Elçin hatun to the room. She might be very tired. She must rest. And also ask the healers to look after her."
Melikşah told.

I fell asleep in my room and woke up after a few hours.

"Elçin hatun you're absolutely fine. You might've fainted because of stress. I asked the healers."
Burçak told, as she sat beside me.

I nodded.

A few minutes later, there was a knock at the door. I opened it to find a woman whom I had never seen, so I gave a confused look.

She began herself,
"I'm Melikşah's elder sister and the Baş Hatun of this state, Safiye."

"Oh, çok Özür dilerim Safiye hanım. I should've met you as I came here, but.."

She interrupted before I could complete,
"It's ok dear! How are you now?"

"Iyim. Sağol." I replied with a smile.

She asked Burçak to leave the room as she wanted to converse with me.

She sat beside me.
"Elçin hatun, I've heard a lot about you. The unbeatable lady warrior of Selçuk dynasty.  But today, saw you for the first time. Indeed, very worthy of my brother."

I burst into tears as she told this.

"Sssh Ağlama..." She told and wiped the tears off my face.

"He told us about everything that happened in Anatolia and his decision. Most of us don't have a problem with his decision. Why are you crying?" She asked very softly placing her hand over my shoulder.

"Perhaps he doesn't trust me. How am I capable of him? There could've been some other way. This marriage was not needed. Anyways, It would last only a few days." I replied in a very low intensity.

"God forbid. Don't say this. Marriage is not a joke. Melikşah is my brother. I know him very well. He is like a closed box, never shares his griefs with anyone, prefers to keep things buried in his heart. Many a time, what he speaks, comes out very contrary to what's in his heart.
I know he would never want to hurt you knowingly."

"But, I don't want to be forced upon him..."

"Forced? It was his decision, and we agree to it. And I also see respect for him in your eyes. I know there might be a very strong reason behind his decision which he's probably not telling about."

She wrapped my hands tightly with that of her's and assured me further,

"If God has written your fate with Melikşah, then nothing... really nothing can keep you both apart. Perhaps, this is just a beginning."

( Kalpten kalbe track....)
___________________

Ben Anlamadım - I didn't understand

Ama - but

Sağol - Thankyou

Çok özür dilerim - I'm really sorry

Iyim - I'm good

Ağlama - Don't cry