HALF FACE (Get lost into the parallel Time)

LITTLE FINGER

Zülfüleyfe pulled herself away from her thoughts and diverted her gaze and attention to Sariye who was facing her. She wanted to find refuge in Sariye's thoughts just like a cold and frozen bird left outside on a winter day. Maybe she wanted to expand the crammed tightness inside her by sharing her thoughts with her friend.

"Yes Ma'am, I am listening to you," she said, her gaze locked on her friend's face.

Zülfüleyfe knew that she had to begin her story. She placed her left hand on the edge of the table.

"Roughly two weeks ago, Mihca told me about deep history and literature. Actually, about spiritual matters, to be correct. He wanted me to read intensely by giving me every book he can land his hands on. Just when I was leaving his room, I noticed the side of a thick and old-looking book at the upper shelf of the closet at the back of his door. The writings on the side of the book were gold-plated. It was the name I mentioned to you. But way back then, I was unable to read the name, only saw the part where it wrote 'time'"

Sariye, with her everlasting sensitivity, understood her friend's mood, silently reaching out to the glass and pitcher on the edge of the table to pour a glass of water which she passed on to Zülfüleyfe.

She took the glass of water but being deeply involved in the ongoing events, she was unable to respond to this caring gesture. She drank half of the water and placed the glass back on the table, catching up with her story.

"I told my master that I saw a book with 'time' written on it, a book that I have not read nor seen before. Mihca's answer made me even more curious; if you have seen time, than the time has come. He moved forward and reached out for the book. But he came back without taking it from the shelf. 'My secret should be our secret now. I don't want you to talk about this book to anyone.' I nodded telling him that his wish is my command."

Sariye started to get curious like her friend. She was enjoying the fact that her friend trusted her enough to recite the ongoing events. Meanwhile, she was considering warning her friend about the promise she gave to her master about not telling anyone. Zülfüleyfe spoke for these silent thoughts of hers.

"Mihca took the book in his hand and told me that he cannot give it to me but he can tell me all about it. As everything has a timing, this is not the time for you to read the book he said, hanging tightly to it. We moved to the chairs where we always had our lessons and he said; sit down my curious student. He told me that the name of the book is 'Time within time" and I could see the depth and distance in his eyes. It was as though, at that very moment, both of us went on a journey of thousand years far. We live time within this time, we experience thousand years within a breath span, he said,

Of course, the Lord has the power. Every door opens if He wishes. Now, I will tell you about this book with a story which I believe would make you understand it better; he said, leaning back. My mind was so confused but strangely, I felt as though I knew everything even before he told me all about it."

Zülfüleyfe leaned forward trying to be closer to her friend. She reached out with her left hand and grabbed Saniye's little finger as though she wanted to pull her to that deepness as well.

"Now, you listen to that story too," she said and started to talk with a far-away look...

"In a commune council, people were sharing stories on the subject yet again without touching the book itself. There were, of course, people who were not participating or, just like me, unable to comprehend. A young man called Senas, being the most curious and daring among others, approached the saints and told them that he did not understand the matter and even if he did, that he did not find it very convincing."

Sariye was all ears and focused on the story when the door was knocked. It was Ehzel, calling out from outside. She has barely knocked on the door but the two women who were trying to explain and understand the depth of the matter were startled anyway. She opened the door slightly and caught Zülfüleyfe's eye. Safiye barged even before she was able to utter a word.

"Guess you have come to pick the breakfast things up?"

"Yes, but I think I interrupted your chat, I can pick them up and leave immediately"

Safiye again rushed with the answer, obviously wanting her to leave.

"I'll take care of it in a while, go and tend to your other chores. I will soon come and help you."

"No!" Zülfüleyfe cut in,

"This is going to take a while. You go ahead and take care of it, Safiye will join you later" she said. Ehzel left closing the door behind her. Zülfüleyfe picked up from where she left...

"One of the saints there, called Senas to his side and gave him pen and paper. He told him to hang onto them and to keep his eyes closed. The man asked whether he has to write something. The answer was that he would write when the time comes and that he is to put his hand on the paper while his eyes are shut and to open them after counting to ten. Senas did what he was told to do; closed his eyes and put his hand on the paper. There were almost twenty people around and most of them, like Senas, did not understand what was going on. While they were watching Senas' hand holding the pen began to move on the paper. People sitting far away did see pen moving but couldn't read what he was writing, it was only the saint sitting in front of Senas, who was able to see the writing on the paper."

Zülfüleyfe hesitated for a moment and took another sip from her water. Sariye was still unable to apprehend where all this was going. "Go on..." she said, smiling.

"Actually, everyone there was counting to ten. At the end of those seconds, Senas opened his eyes gasping. Everyone was wondering what he has written on the paper. Most of them were also wondering why he was out of breath. Senas' best friend, Tuyra who has walked up to the middle of the room watching his friend closely called out to Senas and asked him what was happening. But Senas, overwhelmed with the excitement, could not talk for a while. He used his hands to ask for a glass of water continuously holding his head and neck. People in the room asked saints to tell them what he has lived through or what he has seen but the saints did not know it either. All the answers were hidden in what Senas was to tell. Tuyra came even closer taking and reading the paper in front of Senas. When asked what was written on it, he started reading it out loud; Dilyaz, I love you very much and I entrust my two children to you. I am a victim of slander and I ask you to solve this. When you prove my innocence, make sure you explain it all to the Hulaman city people"

For the sake of keeping Saniye on track, Zülfüleyfe added;

"Senas had a life completely different than the one written on the paper. He was never married and did not know anyone named Dilyaz. There was mention of Hulaman city but there was at least a 6-months distance between this city and their current location."

Completely confused, Sariye asked;

"Ma'am, what did he tell afterward?"

"They waited for a long time for him to come to his senses. Then he told the whole story section by section. As he moved from one section to the other, the ones in the room listened with rising excitement..."

If you are to be a worn-out, old ship,

Who traveled a thousand-mile trip...

I shall be the harbor you would shelter

As I said so!

If you are to be a broken, timeless sandglass,

Which counted three hundred centuries as they pass...

I shall be the last sand falling in your heart

As I said so!

If you are to be a burned-out flicker,

Lost and gone as smoke without glitter...

I shall be the heart burnt with your fire

As I said so!

If you are to be an inkless, useless pen,

Mistaken to write us in a book, but then...

I shall be every word of that book,

As I said so!