Resurgence

6. The Crusader

“No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path.” –  Gautama Buddha.

•••

“…So yeah, it’s basically vintage meets contemporary.”

Tari rounded up with his in depth analysis of the requirements stipulated by the celebrity couple contractors, looking every bit the stoic, impassive overseer he was. His profile was basically void of any expression, both positive and negative but projected mainly a height of professionalism that couldn’t be breached or compromised. If she hadn’t known him prior to this project, she’d have assumed he wasn’t capable of feeling any emotion at all and was merely a glorified statue filled with breath of life.

It was Monday, and they had converged as scheduled. In the conference room that housed a vast variety of building specialists ranging from mechanical and chemical engineers to construction managers and laborers—Lani was also granted the privilege to voice her opinion on the proceedings of the ongoing construction. Usually, the counsel of an interior designer like hers wasn’t sought for until construction was past its building phase, but the circumstances surrounding the terms and conditions of the colossal importance of the project made it vital that her presence was ensured. However, even upon earning her place on this panel, she couldn’t help but feel out of place owing to the strange nature of technicalities being discussed.

Perhaps, it wasn’t such a good idea.

“Mr. Tijani wants the house done as soon as possible,” Tari’s hands slid into the outer compartments of his blue mink overcoat cape. His apathy to fashion was still in play as characterized by the loose, casual manner he wore the jacket. For some reason, that condition only dazed her faculties more. The rest of his attire was a fitted black khaki trousers and brown Chelsea boots. He was standing right next to a broad, looming white board behind the pioneer chair of the conference table—that made his 6’2 height look petite. On the board, the most significant details they had discussed were scrawled.

“So, yeah we’re using a hundred men. In two months, we should be able to complete the first phase.” He paused, his gaze roaming the entire room—apparently awaiting an additional remark from any of its occupants. “No more questions before we move on?” Suddenly, his gaze landed on hers. “Miss Olaere? I hope you’re not lost, and you understand at least a figment of what we’ve discussed here today?”

His action, which highlighted the fact that he was concerned about her falling out of the loop as a result of difficulties in comprehending the topic of discussion, warmed her insides like a bonfire. She couldn’t help the smile of gratitude that graced her lips. It felt good that he had extended such display of affection towards her, that he hadn’t shown anyone else in the room. But then again, everyone else easily grasped the essence of what was being discussed. From another perspective, she was the only one prone to confusion in the gathering, hence, he only made her subtly displaced state more obvious. Either ways, a wide smile adorned her radiant face.

“I do understand to a good extent,” She nodded curtly, her hands entwined. Tari raised a brow and tilted his head to one side, looking somewhat skeptical. “I mean, yea, definitely not all, but to a certain degree, I understand. I’m with you.”

“Good,” He nodded. “It’s not exactly compulsory that you’re here at the moment, but it wouldn’t hurt to be here anyway.” His gaze lingered on hers for a few seconds, as though soaring through her train of thoughts in search of something he had lost in it. He looked away and continued. “What we’re about to discuss next leans towards the methods of building the house, both inside and outside and is definitely an area that we would find your insights, invaluable.”