CHAPTER 3 — The Consultation
878 Words
Three months later…
The room was cool, quiet, and far removed from the desert heat Layla was used to. Tall windows overlooked the city, but she barely noticed the view. Her attention stayed on the large table in front of her, covered with maps and printed plans.
She had been called in because of her knowledge of desert routes. That was all the message said. Nothing more.
A man in official attire gestured politely.
“Please, have a seat. He will be here shortly.”
Layla nodded and sat.
She adjusted her scarf slightly, feeling out of place in the polished, controlled environment.
Then the doors opened. Footsteps entered the room.
Calm. Measured.
She didn’t look up immediately. But when she did, recognition came slowly.
Not like a shock. More like a memory returning quietly.
The convoy. The dune.
The silent man who had followed her directions without argument.
She blinked once. He stopped a few steps into the room when he saw her.
His expression did not change much, but his eyes showed the same recognition.
“The guide,” he said calmly.
Layla nodded once. “The convoy.”
A brief pause passed between them.
Not awkward. Just unexpected.
“Three months,” he added.
She gave a small nod. “Yes.”
Neither of them smiled, but something lighter settled in the air.
They both sat across from each other at the table.
A large map of the desert region was spread out between them, marked with routes, symbols, and notes.
“This project,” he began, “is meant to create safer paths across several parts of the desert. Rest points. Access routes. Trade movement.”
Layla leaned forward slightly to look at the map.
Her eyes moved carefully over the markings.
“You’re planning to pass through this side?” she asked, pointing to a route.
“Yes. It is the most direct.” Layla shook her head gently.
“It looks direct on paper,” she said. “But the sand underneath is soft. Heavy vehicles won’t last long there.”
One of the officials in the room looked surprised.
“That wasn’t in our report.” Layla didn’t look at him.
“Reports don’t walk the desert,” she replied calmly.
Across from her, Aamir watched without interrupting.
Not defensive. Not dismissive.
Just listening.
They moved from one marked path to another.
Each time, Layla explained something the map didn’t show.
Wind direction. Sand movement. Hidden dips in the land that only showed after certain seasons.
She spoke simply, without trying to sound important, and Aamir noticed that. She wasn’t trying to impress him. She was just telling the truth as she knew it.
At one point, he asked, “How do you remember all this?” Layla shrugged slightly. “I grew up watching it.”
That answer stayed with him longer than he expected.
A short silence fell as they both looked at the map. Then Layla said, almost casually, “You didn’t argue much that day.”
Aamir glanced at her. “In the desert?”
She nodded. “Yes.”
A small pause.
“Most people do,” she added.
“I knew you were certain,” he said. Layla raised a brow slightly. “That’s rare.”
“So I’ve been told,” he replied.
A very faint hint of humor touched his voice.
Not obvious. But present.
They continued discussing the routes. But now the conversation felt less formal.
Still respectful. Still professional. Just… easier.
Layla noticed something without meaning to. He asked questions to understand, not to challenge. That was unusual for someone in his position.
And Aamir noticed something too. She spoke to him the same way she spoke in the desert. No change in tone.No extra politeness because of the setting.
Just steady honesty.
After a while, Layla leaned back slightly. “If you build resting points,” she said, “don’t put them where it’s convenient for vehicles. Put them where the land naturally allows people to stop.”
Aamir looked at her. “Explain.”
She pointed to a section of the map.
“Here. The wind is softer there in the evenings. Travelers will naturally slow down without knowing why.”
He studied the spot carefully. That detail was not written anywhere. Yet she said it with complete certainty. He nodded once and made a note. The meeting lasted longer than planned.
Neither of them seemed to notice.
Finally, Layla stood.
“That should be enough for today,” she said.
Aamir nodded. “Yes. It was helpful.”
She adjusted her scarf again. Then, after a brief pause, she added,
“At least you’re not lost this time.”
That did it.
A small, brief smile appeared on his face before he controlled it.
“I intend to keep it that way,” he said.
Layla nodded politely and turned to leave.
As she walked out, she realized something small. This meeting felt different from the desert. More structured. But somehow… just as quiet.
And behind her, Aamir watched the door close gently.
He hadn’t expected to find the same desert guide sitting across from him today.
But he found himself thinking
He was glad it was her.
- Writer
