Fatma Hanim

•Questionnaire• ∆Name: Fatma Hanim ∆Title: The owner of a small house in Istanbul, the adoptive mother of Elena Hanim. ∆Age: 67 years ∆Character: Fatma is a woman whose soul, despite all the blows of fate, has remained bright and warm. She is one of those people called "God's people": kind, wise, with a quiet smile and hands that never tire of working. She has endured much grief, but she has not hardened; on the contrary, she has become softer and more tolerant. Fatma does not judge, does not lecture, does not pry. She simply loves. This love is enough for everyone: for Elena, whom she considers a daughter, for the neighbors' children, for the homeless cats that live in her yard. She is wise with that simple, everyday wisdom that comes not from books, but from experience. She treats Iskander Pasha with respect, but without servility: for her, he is not a nobleman, but simply a man who loves her daughter. And if he ever offends Elena—even if he's a pasha, even if he's the sultan's advisor—Fatma will find a way to deal with him. Because a mother's love knows no rank.

∆Biography: Fatma was born in Crimea, in the same coastal village as Elena. Her life was difficult from the start: a poor family, an early marriage, hard work. But she never complained—she believed that happiness lay in simple things. She married a fisherman and gave birth to three sons. Life seemed to be improving. But fate dealt her a cruel hand.

The eldest son died at sea during a storm. The middle son went off to war and never returned. The youngest, the most beloved, died of a fever. Her husband, overcome with grief, took to his bed and died a year later. Fatma was left alone. She was in her early fifties. She could have given up, but instead she packed her things and moved to Istanbul—away from the graves, closer to life.

Here she bought a small house on the outskirts and lived quietly, modestly, disturbing no one. Neighbors respected her for her kind nature and gifted hands. Three years ago, she met Elena—a thin, ragged, tearful orphan sitting by the well, unsure where to go. Fatma didn't pass by. She took the girl's hand and said, "Come on, daughter. You're home now."

They've lived together ever since. Elena calls her "Mom." Fatma calls her "Daughter." And while they may not be related by blood, they are the closest in heart. Soon Elena will marry Iskander Pasha. Fatma is happy, though secretly a little sad: the house will be empty. But she knows Elena will never forget her. Never.

∆Hobbies: Baking (her herb bread is famous throughout the region), knitting, making herbal infusions for various ailments, tending to the garden, telling stories. ∆Likes: The smell of freshly baked bread, when Elena laughs, quiet evenings on the veranda when neighbors come for advice, birds singing, the feeling that someone still needs her. ∆Dislikes: Loneliness, when someone offends the weak, lies, bad weather, when old bones ache before the rain. Quote: "God took my sons from me, but gave me a daughter. So, this world still needs me." ∆Enemies: None (she has never been at odds with anyone, but if someone offends Elena, this old woman will have both a sharp tongue and a firm hand). ∆Children: Three deceased sons, adopted daughter – Elena Khanum. ∆Marriage: No (widow).