Leyla: The Black Tulip

The Dark Prison

After Belkıs’ leaving, Leyla continues to turn to painting for comfort. Whenever possible, Leyla returns to the gazebo to paint. But when she runs out colors, she must go back to the Mistress of Colors. But this time, the Mistress of Colors is distrustful and snappy. She demands to know why the Chief Housekeeper doesn’t send one of her own girls. And why does a gardener need dyes?! As she prepares the colors, she says something under her breath that Leyla doesn’t understand.

Later that afternoon, Leyla is in the conservatory when a young eunuch comes to tell her the Chief Housekeeper wishes to see her immediately. The eunuch shakes his head. He tells her she is a determined girl, but it’s not smart to test boundaries in the harem.

In her apartment, the Chief Housekeeper is sitting on a divan, smoking a nargileh. Next to her, is the Mistress of Colors. The Chief Housekeeper demands to know what the dyes were for. Leyla freezes. She doesn’t know what to say. The Chief Housekeeper clarifies they were not for her. So Leyla lied. Leyla apologizes, but she still doesn’t know what to say. If she talks about the paintings, it’ll be viewed as an act of sacrilege.

Leyla says she was going to add them to the soil to see if they affect the colors of the flowers. The two women look at each other, doubtful. The Chief Housekeeper says she should’ve gotten permission first. And furthermore, she doesn’t believe Leyla. She announces she’s sending Leyla to prison for not getting permission, for lying, and for being insolent. She’ll remain in prison until the end of the Tulip Festival.

Before Leyla is escorted out, the Mistress of Colors says she’s prepared a potion of red paste. She forces Leyla to open her mouth and shovels in a spoonful. As quick as Leyla gulps it down, she jumps with pain. Her mouth, throat, and insides feel as if they’re burning. She fed Leyla hot cayenne pepper. Leyla tries to cough it out, but to no avail. The Mistress of Flowers says it’s to clean her mouth so she doesn’t lie again.

The prison is a small room with no windows. The floor is covered in straw, and it is cold and smells of mold and other horrid things. Leyla can hear the voices of other girls in other cells talking. How long had they been there? What had they done? When will someone let Leyla out?

Leyla cries until she has no more tears left to cry. She struggles to keep track of time or days or nights. It’s dark when they bring food. Leyla cannot tell if she’s been there a few hours, or a few weeks. She prays to Allah for strength and comfort. She thinks about her family: Mother, Cengiz, the twins, and Father. Why is it so wrong to paint paintings of things like flowers or people? Leyla knows in her heart that it’s good and important to manifest the gifts granted to us.

One day, the door opens, and a eunuch announces to Leyla to follow him. The light blinds her eyes as she steps out of the darkness. Leyla asks the eunuch what she’s supposed to do now. He tells her to do exactly what she was doing before. Work in the gardens. But this time, stay out of trouble.

After the time in prison, Leyla is grateful to be returning to the pavilions, fountains, gardens, and cheery girls. She feels relieved to be outside in the sun again. She feels as if she’s being returned to life.

The first thing Leyla does is check up on her tulips. They are limp and neglected. Leyla waters them and talks to them. Soon, they responded to the nurturing.

When Leyla goes to check up on her drawings, she finds they’re gone. Leyla looks under crevices, planks, and anywhere else she might’ve hidden them. But they’re completely missing. Who could’ve taken them? Someone who destroyed them and didn’t know they were hers? Someone who wanted to protect her? Or someone who wanted to cause Leyla harm?