📌 Previously in Chapter 31:
Zayd secured a central market shop through a clever deal with Salim al-Dhahabi, offering 3% of his profits in exchange for the location, decoration, and Salim's network support. With Qadir handling deliveries and carriages still en route, Zayd finally finds a moment to breathe — unaware that this moment will steal his breath.
📍 Scene: Salim's Palm Garden – Late Morning
The garden was quiet, swaying gently in the breeze. Tall palm trees formed shaded arcs above small fountains, and golden sunlight filtered through the fronds. Birds chirped lazily as they swooped toward the grain sprinkled across stone benches and soft grass.
Zayd walked in slowly, arms crossed behind his back, enjoying the rare peace.
ZAYD (to himself, stretching):
"Finally, a day with no ledgers, no carts, and no cousin yelling about camel schedules."
He found a bench under a fig tree and leaned back, letting out a long sigh. Then… he heard laughter. Soft, gentle, almost musical.
He turned.
And froze.
There, kneeling by the water basin, was Layla bint Samirah — her hair uncovered, glistening in the sun as she patted it dry with a silk cloth. Birds fluttered around her as she sprinkled grain, and for a moment, she seemed not of this world.
Zayd blinked.
Then, like a fool struck by lightning, he did what no sane man would.
ZAYD (under his breath, poetic and dreamy):
"Her eyes—two moons behind summer mist,
Her hair—a river of night kissed by dawn,
She bends, and the garden holds its breath,
Even the birds beg to be her guest…"
He sighed, heart pounding like war drums.
ZAYD (still whispering):
"What light is this? A noor from Jannat? Or a test from Allah?"
Suddenly, Layla looked up — and her eyes locked with his.
Her hand instantly reached for her scarf. She hurriedly pulled a unna over her head and wrapped her veil. Her cheeks flushed rose.
LAYLA (raising a brow, half-amused):
"Nice to meet you again, Zayd ibn Suleiman. Is poetry part of your merchant training?"
Zayd blinked, then chuckled awkwardly.
ZAYD:
"Only when the subject deserves it."
LAYLA:
"Hmm. And what brings you here? Spying on innocent women feeding birds?"
ZAYD (raising his hands):
"Guilty only of following Master Salim's advice. He told me to relax — said soon I won't have time to breathe."
LAYLA (smiling beneath her veil):
"He wasn't wrong."
ZAYD:
"And you? What brings you to this little slice of paradise?"
She rose gracefully and dusted her hands.
LAYLA:
"My father and Salim uncle are old friends. I came to Baghdad recently, and while our family's mansion is under repair, he insisted I stay in the villa next to this garden. I don't normally accept visitors."
She tilted her head.
LAYLA:
"Especially poets who hide in fig tree shadows."
ZAYD (laughing):
"Well, I didn't know you'd be here. But if I did, I might've brought a full orchestra and a better poem."
LAYLA (mock serious):
"Spare the orchestra. But next time, bring bread for the birds."
They stood facing each other, the awkwardness slowly melting into something softer. Zayd smiled, hand resting on Nimr's feathered back.
ZAYD:
"I suppose I'm lucky to be allowed here."
LAYLA:
"Uncle Salim rarely opens his gardens to guests. But you? You're not just a guest now… You're his business partner."
She turned to walk away, pausing after a few steps.
LAYLA (over her shoulder):
"You may stay. But no more poems today."
ZAYD (grinning):
"No promises."
📍 Scene: Garden Fountain – Moments Later
Zayd sat again, head spinning.
ZAYD (muttering):
"She feeds birds like a queen feeds her court. And I look like a lost goat with a feathered parrot."
Nimr let out a soft squawk, almost agreeing.
End of Chapter 32