The next place on the map was a vast desert called The Desert of Silence. Golden sand stretched endlessly, and the sun burned like a giant lamp in the sky. The air was dry, and every step felt heavy.
At first, Aarav felt lonely. There were no rivers, no forests, and no busy towns. Only wind and sand. He traveled with a group of camel riders who taught him how to save water and walk during cooler hours.
During the day, the desert seemed cruel. But at night, it became magical. The sky filled with stars so bright that Aarav forgot his tiredness. The sand cooled, and silence wrapped around him like a blanket.
One night, an old traveler told him a story near the fire.
"The desert teaches you to listen to yourself. When there is no noise outside, you hear your heart."
Aarav stayed quiet for a long time. He realized he had been running from his fears — fear of failure, fear of being ordinary. In the desert, he could not escape from his thoughts. But instead of frightening him, they made him stronger.
On the third day, they reached an oasis. Palm trees surrounded clear water like a dream in the middle of emptiness. Aarav washed his face and felt reborn.
Before leaving the desert, he wrote in his notebook:
"Silence is not empty. It is full of answers."
The desert gave him patience. It taught him that not all journeys are colorful. Some are quiet and difficult, but they are just as important.