Although Ruseppa was a skeptical woman, she trusted Arwa to swear before the gods. In this world, belief in the gods was a part of everyday life. When people made an oath on the gods, the oaths had weight. They believed that if they did not keep their oaths, the gods would bring disaster upon them. That was why Ruseppa trusted Arwa. Arwa's unconditional trust in me despite our short time together made me happy, and I did not want to disappoint her.
Preparing medicine from herbs was never difficult for me. Thanks to the knowledge I learned from Arwa and Siri, I could make many combinations of medicines. I crushed the herbs I mentioned in a small bowl with a pestle until the water came out. I combined the crushed mixtures and mixed them carefully. Arwa, who was sure that the medicine I made was effective, nodded. She got up from the stool and tried to calm Ruseppa.
We took the little girl away from her mother, and I sat her up on the bed. I tried to make the girl swallow the medicine little by little so that she could swallow it. Essa was mature for her age and did not give me any trouble, but she was so exhausted from the disease that I was not sure if she would recover.
Arwa, although she did not like Ruseppa, shared the pain of a woman crying out for her child.
"Mother Arwa, although we both know that we do not like each other very much, please pray to the gods for my daughter, not for me," the woman said helplessly. As soon as the woman finished speaking, Arwa had already gone to the girl.
She put her calloused hands on the girl's head, squeezed her eyes shut and began to pray.
"Father of the gods in the sky, Tarhun-Tata, hear my voice. Tarhun-Tata, grant health to the little girl's body, health to her mind, and make health her heir. Father of the gods and us mortal servants, do not send the little girl to the underworld, but let her live with us on earth until she sees her children's children," Arwa said. Arwa removed her hand from the little girl's head and opened her eyes.
We had done our best, time would determine whether Essa would recover or not, or as the believers of this world say, the gods would toss a coin. People in this world had a concept of the afterlife, but it was also very strange. They believed that they would go to the underworld when they died. Arwa had told me the story of the bottomless hole that the God King Enki, who lived long ago, had dug underground to bring back his dead wife. No matter how imaginative these stories were, they did not stop me from entertaining them.
"Ruseppa, don't be sad! We are the gods' poor servants. They can kill or give life. If the gods have a plan for the girl Essa, we must obey it unconditionally," the old woman said.
Ruseppa did not say a word, but his eyes expressed many things. The girl had the eyes of a mother who did not want to leave. Arwa and I had no reason to stay here anymore. I took the basket with the medicinal herbs and we all left the room together. Ruseppa also intended to meet us at the door. When we reached the outer door, the woman suddenly paused, perhaps remembering something she had forgotten to do. The woman turned to us and said the following.
"Mother Arwa, will you wait for me here? I did not return your help. Please wait for me here, I will be back immediately," the woman said.
Ruseppa, I came here for your daughter's health without expecting anything in return. The gods gave me everything I asked for. So there is no need for you to give me any gift," the old woman said.
Ruseppa held the woman's hands tightly and said the following.
"No, Mother Arwa, you came all that way for my daughter. Also, I am ashamed of the things I said about you in the past, please forgive me and accept my gift," said the woman.
"Many people do not see their mistakes because of their arrogance, and even think they are always right. Thank goodness you are not one of them. Their hearts have turned to stone, they have become as black as coal. I feel sorry for them, may the gods grant them reason. I sincerely forgive you, my child, for showing the maturity to accept your mistakes regardless of whether they are big or small, and for wanting to be forgiven, I will accept your gift." Arwa said with a compassionate tone. Ruseppa kissed both of the woman's hands one by one. He left there to bring the gift.
"Arwa, what did he say about you in the past that made him ask for forgiveness? I understand if you do not want to answer, after all, it is your private life," I asked curiously. For some reason, my question deeply saddened Arwa.
"My child, she told me something about a terrible event that happened a long, long time ago. My heart can't bear to say more. Please don't ask me any more questions about this subject, I'll be happy," the old woman said with a trembling voice. I regretted asking, I wish I hadn't.
"I'm sorry Arwa, I never wanted to hurt you," I said.
"Alek, my child, you don't have to apologize to me for anything. I've learned not to care about what people say when I get this old. Your question didn't upset me, my child, it's just remembering the past that upset me. Everything that happened seemed like yesterday, I'm surprised at how much time has passed," Arwa said with a sigh.
No matter how much she said she didn't care, my words hurt her. Oh, why am I so rude? I had no choice but to remain silent to what Arwa said. Finally, Ruseppa came to us with the basket in his hand.
"Mother Arwa, we are a poor family who can barely make ends meet, there is not much I can give you. I hope you like the gift I have in my hand. I will also have your apprentice's dirty clothes washed and sent, the clothes on him will be our gift," said the woman. She gave the basket in her hand to Arwa. Arwa took the gift without looking at it.
"Ruseppa, I will pray to the gods for your daughter's health," said the woman.
"Thank you for the clothes," I said.
My eyes searched for Walma, but she did not come to see us off. Arwa and I started to go home.