It is a brilliant design – pastel blue with a yellow trim. Within the trim is a cascade of flowers – white with some flashes of red, in abstract shapes, of triangles and squares and interlocking lines – conveying an idea, a feeling, rather than the object itself. The feeling of beauty, of harmony, of grace and warmth. As the full design is revealed, it brightens the room.

Zeynel is stunned. This is the first time he’s looked at a carpet properly. Prior to this it was only a backdrop (literally and figuratively) of his days and nights in the madrasah, of praying in the mosque, of sleeping underneath it as it shielded him from the dangers of the world. Seeing this carpet now, it is like discovering a new book, a book that he could not yet read with his mind, but which his heart naturally understands.

Hanim Fatihah sits pensive. This is not the first carpet she has seen today.

Ayşe continues unfazed. She says, “It's beautiful isn't it? This is one of our best, made of our finest wool.” She caresses the carpet; the wool glides soft under her fingers, as if petals of real flowers. She continues, “It's 1500 knots per kerab. What do you think?”

Her client thinks. This is a familiar sight for Ayşe. This is when a client is tempted by a design, but is weighing it against the other options they have seen, and their idea of the perfect carpet in their mind. Usually, she gives her clients space to think, as it is best not to interrupt their train of thought. After all, buying a carpet is a personal experience, and she is only there in service of it.

Zeynel, unfamiliar with everything, sees something different. Uncertainty. He sees someone with trouble expressing what she wants. He knows how that feels. He wants to help her articulate her thoughts, to bridge the silence between herself and Ayşe.

“If you don't mind me giving my opinion…” he begins slowly, in case of objection. There is none. “I like the contrast between the blue and yellow. The colours remind me... of the sun! Shining down on a garden under a clear azure sky! Can you imagine? Having something radiant in your house.”

Finally finding the 'hook' in the conversation, he takes it and turns around to face Hanim Fatihah.

“Speaking of which, where were you thinking of placing your carpet?”

Hanim Fatihah answers, “Oh, it's not for me. It is a wedding gift for my son and his bride.”

Zeynel is delighted. “Maşallah! Congrats! What does his lady like?”

“What does your son like?” Ayşe and Zeynel ask.

They glance at each other and share a moment of amusement. Ayşe is happy with the way the conversation was going. The client is talking now with purpose, which is making her job as a merchant easier.

“Hmm he likes strong, deep colours like red… and as for his bride – I don't know her well enough to be confident in my answer. I hear she likes flowers.”