- This is only thing that reminds me of your mother. She would like you to have this. Take this with you, let this be like amulet to you. I want you to know that wherever you are that my thoughts will be always with you. - my father said to me while he was crying. He gave me mother's necklace with symbol of rose.
Emotions took all over me and I couldn't handle it anymore. I was ready to start crying, but I knew that will make father feel even worser.
I took the necklace he gave me and putted it on myself. Symbol of rose always reminded me of my mother and I promised my father I will always keep it with myself.
- I will always have you on my mind, father. I hope you will pray for us that nothing bad happens to us. - I said to him and gave him one last smile.
I turned around our old wooden house to see it for last time. Together with Vika and Dima I left the house.
For the last time I looked at Odessa, and looked at our village and the sea which was very close to it. My heart was in pain because I knew I would never return home.
Young man dressed in uniform was standing around hundred meters in front of us. Around of him were janissaries which took care of him. I turned around to father, and he nodded me signalising me those are Ottomans who are going to buy us.
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- So you decided you are going to sell your children to Ottomans? - man in army uniform asked my father. He was some kind of higher rank because everyone around him was taking care of him.
I thought that may be some kind of higher officier or pasha which came here.
- Yes, I have no money to raise them. May God forgive me for what I am doing right now, but better that than my children to live without any food. - my father said sadly.
Man came closer to us and measured us all from head to toe. I didn't want to look even at him because I didn't know who he was, and where will I end.
- You could have find husbands for your daughters, you know they will end at slave market now? And who know where your children will be then? How are you fine with that? - than man asked my father.
I couldn’t handle anymore and I raised my head to look at him. He was beautiful and young.
- Bey, I don't have anything else to do. I hope God will help my children. - my father said while he was also comforting Maria which was crying because of Vikroria.
Man looked at him without saying a word, but I catched his eyes on me then. I saw he is looking at me for a really long time.
- We will send them to Sultan's Palace. There your daughters will be in Harem. They will work there, have warm bed, food and their salaries. If luck is by their side they might even become Sultan's wives. - Man said and he looked at me again.
- No, you won't send me to Sultan's Palace. I don't want that. - I said to him with my head raised. Dmitry looked at me sideways and slapped me with his hand to signal me to shut up.
- Their parents are selling you, and you don't want the best possible option that you could get? - Man came closer to me and said to me directly im my face.
- I don't want to be slave of old fat Sultan which has million of women. I don't want that and I won't go there. - I yelled on him.
He made confused face because he couldn't believe what he heard from me.
- Maybe you would change your mind if you would see the Sultan? - he said to me seriously, but his words meant nothing to me.
- No I wouldn't. I never change my opinion. - I yelled on him angrily.
- Aleks, daughter, please don't. - my father told me through the tears.
Man looked at me once more again, and then looked at my father. He signalised a janissary which was standing next to him.
Janissary man walked towards my father with a bag. He opened it and I saw lot of gold coins. I was surprised how was this possible.
- Usually you wouldn't get that much, but I felt sorry because of this whole situation. I know it must be really hard when you are selling your children. - Man said and looked at us again.
- And don't worry, in Istanbul they will learn your daughter manners. She will be well mannered after she goes in harem. - Man said and smiled to my father.
At that moment, they signalised us to go to a boat. For the last time I waved to my father, knowing I am never going to see him again in my life.
I couldn’t believe how he would do this. How he could sell his children for box of gold. I thought we were important to him, but obviously I wasnt right.
Because of him, I have to go in another world. In another country. Where different language is spoken. Different rules and different traditions.
Maybe Vika was right when she said don't mention it again, because it might happen.
