Chapter 18: Chapter 18
Liam smiled and looked at Rakia and said, “Maybe so.” Suddenly Rakia smiled disapprovingly at that. Dahstan snorted then smiled sarcastically, he didn’t like Liam’s words even though he knew the man was just joking. Rakia was silent while finishing her food, then she took the cell phone in her pants pocket and typed a message for Dashtan.
“I have something to talk to you about, but please save me from this friend of yours.” Rakia wrote on the message and sent it to Dashtan. Immediately Dahstan’s cell phone chimed, the man checked his phone and read the message from Rakia. He glanced at the woman who was eating. Dashtan started his rescue mission, he put his cell phone back in the back pocket of his jeans.
“I’m sorry that I have to borrow your lunch companion to talk about something important, you don’t mind, right?” Dashtan gave Liam a serious look to make him believe him. Rakia raised her face and looked at Dashtan, she only pretended to be surprised so that Liam wouldn’t get suspicious.
“Well, if it’s important,” Liam broke off then said as he looked at Rakia, “Thanks for lunch.” Rakia smiled.
“I should thank you,” she said and got up from her chair and followed Dahstan out of the café. They hurried to Dahstan’s car which was parked on the other side of the café building.
“Thank you for the rescue mission,” Rakia said when they were in a place Liam could no longer see. Dashtan leaned against the side of his car.
“No problem. I think he likes you,” Dashtan guessed to which Rakia only responded with a shrug.
“I actually want to talk to you about something.” Rakia started, Dashtan looked at the woman curiously.
“About what?” Dahstan asked.
“Can you pick me up this afternoon after work? The time isn’t right now when I still have to go back to DS,” Rakia explained and Dashtan pressed her upper lip with her lower lip, seemingly thinking as she agreed to Rakia’s request. With a smile Rakia returned Dahstan’s approval.
“I have to go back, before Liam feels that I’m being arbitrary.” Rakia reminded Dashtan.
“I’ll drive you.”
“No need, DS is close by. See you in the afternoon,” Rakia said goodbye to which Dashtan only responded by staring at the woman’s departure. He couldn’t wait for the afternoon to find out what Rakia would talk to him about. His original intention to stop by the cafe to buy food for Rakia was dashed. He had wanted to give Rakia a surprise lunch but, when he saw her at the café with Liam, he was somehow unhappy. Dashtan quickly turned to the side of the steering wheel and sank into the seat, started the engine and drove away from the café’s parking lot.
Rakia went about her activities without a hint of the weight that had been settling on her mind. Although her mind was divided, it did not affect her performance. When work time came, she immediately excused herself to hurry home, fortunately no one was suspicious of her hurry. Dahstan was apparently waiting in the parking lot, Rakia sighed when she saw Dashtan leaning on the front side of his Range rover while stuffing both hands into the pockets of his jeans.
“He is indeed handsome, from any angle,” Rakia mused on her way to Dahstan. Dashtan, who realized she had been daydreaming, was a little surprised that Rakia was nearby.
“Going now?” Dashtan confirmed, Rakia nodded and they got into the car. Dashtan took the time to open the car door for Rakia. Somehow it seemed like the right thing to do for her.
“What do you want to talk about?” asked Dashtan when they were on the highway.
“I... want to talk about the wedding you offered me, maybe we should find a good place to talk about it,” Rakia suggested. Dashtan raised his eyebrows and agreed to Rakia’s suggestion. He chose an Italian restaurant near Merlion park. They chose an outside seat with a view of Marina Bay and Merlion park. Rakia sighed while adjusting her expression as she covered her face with the menu book while ordering the food.
“You can start,” Dahstan said when they finished ordering.
“How about I become your wife for the contract marriage?” asked Rakia, which made Dashtan wonder for a moment. He pinched his own hand that was currently under the table, and when he felt the pain he was sure that this moment was not a dream.
“Are you sure?” he confirmed. Rakia sighed.
“But you also have to help me.” Rakia looked at Dashtan with misgivings.
“What can I do for you?” To be honest, Dashtan was again surprised at Rakia’s reason for wanting to be her wife.
“I don’t know if you can or not, but if you want me to be your wife in the contract marriage, I have a deal too.”
Rakia swallowed dryly as she looked down for a moment. She was getting nervous but she had to say this because her time was running out.
“My ex-fiancé is suing me for the incident when I burned the wedding dress I was planning to wear on our wedding day. He is suing me for over a billion for that incident on the charge of damaging private property. If you can help me pay the damages, I will be willing to marry you.” Rakia looked at Dashtan who was also staring at her, because she could not stand being stared at like that Rakia became misbehaving.
“I know you must think it’s ridiculous-“
“Yes, I’ll help you. I’ll try to reduce the compensation fee, we’ll talk to my lawyer about it,” Dashtan cut in quickly. Rakia’s heart seemed to jump out of her chest when she heard Dashtan was willing to help her.
“Oh, Rakia, you’re going to be this man’s wife,” Rakia’s mind immediately made her nervous when she heard her mind say that.
“How long is the deadline?” asked Dashtan.
“Just a week, I received the letter about two days ago,” replied Rakia, their arriving order pausing their conversation.
“Why did you ask me for a favor?” They had a moment of silence as they savored their meal before Dashtan finally decided to speak.
“Because maybe you can help me, after all you offered me a lame deal. You want me to contractually marry you but I’m at a disadvantage if I don’t have an interest as well. I guess this way we’re even,” Rakia explained. Dashtan sighed through his nose. He nodded in understanding. To be honest, it didn’t matter to him, because if each of them had a reason to go through with the marriage then their goal would be achieved faster.
“We should meet again the day after tomorrow to talk about the marriage and your ex-fiancé’s demands.” Dashtan looked at Rakia who replied with a nod.
“I won’t tell anyone about this plan until everything is discussed and we agree,” Rakia said, to which Dashtan nodded in agreement. This wedding was somehow just like talking business with Dashtan. There were no happy and flowery looks that Rakia felt only nervous and anxious, but on the other hand a little relieved that her problem had a solution even though it was not the kind of solution she wanted, but she had no more logical choice than to agree with Dashtan to be legal as husband and wife in the eyes of the law and religion but bound in a marriage agreement. She never thought she would have to marry someone on the basis of interest, even when she had been betrayed she still hoped to marry for love someday, but the reality did not match her expectations. Once again, she had to let fate take its course according to God’s will for her.