Leyla: The Black Tulip

Heart’s Desire

Two days later, the Chief Housekeeper tells Leyla that she’s to report to Master Levni’s guild instead of going to the gardens from now on. She says a eunuch will escort her each day, but she must remember to cover her face when she leaves the harem and at the guild. Leyla can tell that the Chief Housekeeper doesn’t approve of the new placement, but Prince Mejnun most likely insisted.

When Leyla joins them, Master Levni’s guild is busy decorating a new library near the Cannon Gate, called Sultan Ahmet Library. Leyla can smell the scent of the paints. It feels strange to be the only woman working in the guild, and she works behind lattices so the other guild members cannot see her. Her identity is to be kept a secret, and she can only speak to the master himself.

In the evenings, Leyla is escorted back to the harem. She doesn’t understand why men and women live so separately from each other. Is one better than the other? Men can go wherever they wish, and Leyla is envious of the freedom. But the women and children are safe, provided for, and always have company, which is far better than her own mother had. But wouldn’t it be best if the men and women lived and worked together, like they did back in Georgia?

One morning, as a eunuch accompanies Leyla to the library, she notices a room with a great deal of noise and commotion. The eunuch explains they are painting the room to build a room representing every fruit. As they pass by the window, Leyla hears a familiar voice and stops. She pretends to adjust her slippers as she listens. It sounds like her father, but how can that be? It cannot be him. Tears begin to roll down Leyla’s cheeks.

All day while Leyla works at the library, she can’t stop thinking about the voice. What if it truly was her father? What if his kısmet had also led him to the same court of the Padishah? Unable to resist temptation, Leyla scribbles a message in Georgian script, and puts her father’s name on it. It says he should leave a response under the broken rock under the yellow rosebush in the courtyard. That evening, Leyla finds a way to slip the note under the door of the Fruit Room without the eunuch noticing.

The next day, Leyla’s thrilled to find a response in familiar handwriting. It’s not signed, but it does look like it’s from her father! The message is short, and explains he was taken as a prisoner of war, and is now employed in an artists’ guild, although not Master Levni’s.

Leyla wants to see him badly, but knows it’s not possible. She’s always accompanied by an obedient eunuch, and isn’t allowed to leave the library until the end of the day. So instead she and her father continue to leave notes for one another under the rosebush. Leyla tells him of their family, her own experience as a slave, living in the harem, and her fortunes with the tulips. Father writes he is very proud of her. His ink runs from his tears.

Later, Leyla is busy putting into calligraphy one of Prince Mejnun’s poems. It is to become decoration in the Sultan Ahmet’s library, alongside the Padishah’s own poetry. Leyla’s learned calligraphy reveals the emotions of the moment, and at that moment, Leyla is so focused on wanting to see her father and those emotions are so deep, that her calligraphy turns into the most beautiful rendering she’s ever created.

When Prince Mejnun returns to the library, he is moved by Leyla’s beautiful rendering. Leyla blushes, and they both turn their heads away. The Prince seems embarrassed, too. When the Prince offers her some gold coins, she refuses—gold isn’t her heart’s desire.

When the Prince asks Leyla what her heart’s desire is, she cannot help but tell him about an artist in the Caucasus, who never returned from war. And the daughter who sold herself to slave traders before being brought to İstanbul. And with the help of some kısmet, a Prince, and a Princess, the daughter managed to find herself doing the two things she loved most: growing tulips and painting. And then, one day, the daughter heard a familiar voice in the palace. Her father.

Prince Mejnun is astonished. He continues to ask Leyla more questions, and says he’ll see what he can do to help, but he can’t promise anything because the final decisions won’t be up to him.

A week passes, and Leyla doesn’t hear anything about her father, nor find any notes from him. She fears he’s gone. One afternoon, Master Levni comes over with another man to look at her botanical drawings. Leyla keeps her eyes downcast. But something whispers in her heart to glance up. And when she does, she sees her father, with open arms. Leyla jumps up and runs to him. They hold each other, thanking Allah for bringing them together again.

Leyla and her father sit together, unable to talk. Father looks more worn, and seems to have a limp. But his eyes are still warm and full of love. Leyla is happier than she’s ever been. He explains he’s been granted amnesty, which means he is free to leave and return to Georgia. He asked the Padishah if Leyla could come with him, but he was told no. Leyla feels a wave of sadness wash over her again. But it’s bittersweet; she’s happy for him, and Mother, Cengiz, and the twins.

Father says even though he’ll be returning home, things will be different. Just look at herself, little Laleena was once a young, sweet girl, but is now a young lady. He’s proud of her achievements, and her sense of freedom within herself, which is the greatest freedom of all. Even in slavery, their spirits can sustain them.

Father describes how he feels such pain at leaving his daughter behind. But, he explains the Padishah has granted a generous offer. If he likes, Father can return to İstanbul with his whole family, as a free man. But he’s not sure if he wants to take it. Perhaps the family will want to stay in Georgia, where their home is. They’ll have to see.

The rest of the afternoon, Leyla shows her father her paintings of the tulips, and gives him some paintings to bring home with him. Leyla also offers most of the gold the Sultan had given her for the black tulip. She cannot show her father the gardens, since they’re within the harem walls, but she goes to dig up some tulip bulbs to bring home, for Cengiz. In fact, one of the bulbs is for a black tulip, but Leyla wants that to stay a surprise. Then, Leyla and her father say a tearful goodbye.

Even though Leyla has found and lost her father once again, she is relieved they were able to be reunited. She feels both peace and hope. And Leyla’s realized her life now also brings her joy. She has friends in Belkıs, Semiramis, Princess Fatma, Master Levni, and especially Prince Mejnun. He’s done so much for her, that she can’t help but hold a special place in her heart for him. Leyla may be far from her homeland, but this is where she belongs now. The rest is up to kısmet.