Muhtesem Yuzyil Imagines ♡

Ch. 2 - Old Friends {Gulnihal} (By I_WriteSins_And_Tragedies)

The two women had stayed up late into the night, deep in conversation. Gulnihal had missed nearly 15 years and there was a lot of catching up to do, some parts she was glad to have missed. The drama that came with living in the harem was less than pleasant, others she wished she could have been here to help Hurrem with.

And compared to Hurrem her stories were bland, her husband was a kind man and she lived a comfortable life. But it was boring, same thing day in and day out. She really wanted to have a child but it never happened and when her husband died and left her with the money and estate she set out for Istanbul in search of something else in life.

Running into Sumbul aga wasn't intentional, she didn't know how he even recognized her with her hair and half her face covered. But all in all, she was glad he did. The two of them had sat down at a small bench and spoke for about an hour, he'd told her a few stories but when he said he could get her back in the palace she couldn't miss that opportunity.

She wanted to see Hurrem, but she missed her.

Hurrem was not the perfect friend of course, the woman had burned her face, berated her countless times, lashed out, she could be selfish. But she knew deep down Hurrem was a good person; she was just a product of her environment. She saw the horrid things thrown at her, and she always persisted.

And Gulnihal admired that.

"So how has Hatice Sultan been?" Gulnihal asked, she sat on the couch by the fire as Hurrem stood in front of the mirror, brushing through her long fiery hair. "Are you two on good terms?" When she'd been here their relationship had been rocky at best, but never completely hostile.

Hurrem bit her lip and after a moment turned to Gulnihal and laughed, "Hatice Sultan blames any inconvenience in her life on me," she said as she turned back to the mirror, a grin still on her face. "I'm waiting for her to blame me for stubbing her foot on a step," she joked.

Gulnihal knew it wasn't polite to laugh nor was she in any position to, but she did and Hurrem in turn laughed more. The two laughed until they couldn't breathe, "Oh Gulnihal, I've missed this," Hurrem said, setting the brush down. She sat down next to her, "Nazli," she said loudly.

Nazli and a few other concubines walked in carrying four dresses, "Pick one and they'll help you get dressed," she said smiling.

Gulnihal's eyes widened and she stood up, the dresses from what she could already see were stunning, there was a gorgeous dark blue with beading and gold, a red one, purple, white- "Oh Hurrem, I couldn't," she started to say.

"Nonsense, I've never worn these, doubt I ever would." Hurrem shrugged, "They're yours now, my gift to you." She had many dresses anyways and could have many more made. So it's not like this would put a dent in her collection.

Not even close.

She had a few nice dresses in her time at the palace all those years ago, His Majesty had sent her some fabrics and jewels after she was sent to the favorites floor. But after the explosive fight with Hurrem, the burning of her face with the poison, and the eventual apology Gulnihal never used the gifts. She had two dresses, nice ones yes but they got worn out fast and they weren't the best quality.

But it didn't really bother her at the time because when you're chasing around little children, going to the garden with them, helping with their lessons and helping the others...well looking perfect and wearing expensive fabrics wasn't something wise to focus on. Plus Mehmed had a habit of yanking at her dresses and she had to sew them back together countless times.

So looking in the mirror now, feeling the soft lavish fabric against her skin.

Well, it felt unreal.