Chapter 19: Chapter 19

Dashtan was forced to cancel plans to meet Rakia to discuss their marriage contract. Suddenly his father called him to temporarily review the construction site of the Dubai city water irrigation which would soon be worked on by the government in collaboration with his company. His company won the tender for the construction of clean water irrigation for the city of Dubai. As a result, he only sent Rakia an email containing the contract they would live under during their marriage.

“You can add and disagree with the points of the contract, so we can discuss it later when I return to Singapore,” Dahstan wrote in his email message. Rakia smiled and opened the document sent to her. She read each point carefully. Letting out a long sigh, Rakia bit her lower lip with a feeling of uncertainty. Some points made her reconsider, but she was also compelled by her own interests.

“There is no sexual activity if both parties do not want it, or if one of the two parties to this agreement does not want it,” Rakia read in a not so loud voice. She sighed again, honestly she didn’t mind that considering their role in this marriage was only limited to status. She went back to struggling with other points, and it seemed she had to discuss this directly with Dashtan. Quickly, she sent a WA message to Dashtan.

“I think, we should discuss this contract directly, honestly there are many things I want to talk about the contract.” Rakia hit send on the messaging app and waited for the reply. She was surprised when her cell phone rang and Dashtan called her for a video call. Rakia reluctantly accepted the call.

“Hi, sorry to call you out of the blue. How was it? Did you read the contract?” Dashtan started the topic they were going to discuss. Rakia nodded.

“There are a few points I want to discuss, but the point is, are you sure this charade will work? What if our families get suspicious? Well... although there is a point that says that we have to play the role of husband and wife in front of a large audience including family, but is it not too risky?”

Dashtan seemed to be thinking by shifting his gaze upwards.

“It’s risky but it’s the only solution to keep people from getting suspicious of us. If you want it to work, you’ll have to work well with me,” Dashtan said with a smile. Rakia snorted as she rolled her eyes.

“You’ve really gone crazy, Dashtan. I mean, why don’t you just date first and then get married and take it seriously, instead of like this?!” Rakia looked out of her mind.

“If it’s like that, what about you needing help? Who’s going to help you? Let’s just say it’s destined to happen, we were brought together to help each other.”

Rakia chuckled then formed her lips into a straight line

“About sexual activity, does it include touching, kissing, hugging and others?” asked Rakia again.

“You want kissing, hugging and other things other than intercourse to be excluded from the contract?” Dashtan asked back which only made Rakia blush but showed an awkward face.

“N-no, it is not like that, I mean I just want to clarify the boundaries,” she rationalized trying to sound logical. Dashtan chuckled.

“Maybe we should include that one too,” Dashtan said.

“Actually, what do you want this relationship to be like?” Rakia’s question jolted them both. Dashtan sighed loudly.

“Rakia... I’m just trying to keep this relationship from affecting both of our lives later. You know, we both have problems in undergoing a relationship, but that doesn’t mean we both don’t want to commit, precisely by committing we can minimize the risks that exist in the future. If we can work together well, this relationship will be fine until the contract ends.” Dashtan poured out some of his heart but not all, there were many things that settled in his mind, he left it there and did not want to pull it to the surface, you could say it was his wounded heart. Rakia looked at Dashtan through her phone screen then smiled trying to accept reality.

“I’m sorry if I seemed to demand the opposite of the contract. But, I would like to ask for one thing.” Rakia looked at Dashtan seriously.

“Say it.”

“You should propose to me formally, in front of our families. You can’t possibly be thinking of surprising them with us suddenly getting married, can you?! They’ll gossip.”

Dashtan smiled then nodded in agreement to the request.

“It’s better that way, so it doesn’t seem sudden. After I finish my business here, I’ll come back there to propose to you.”

Dashtan’s words were able to make the flowers in Rakia’s heart bloom, but on the other hand she realized that what she was about to live with that man was just an act. It disappointed her but she quickly dismissed the feeling because she shouldn’t feel disappointed. She had known from the beginning that the marriage relationship she was going to have with Dashtan was just a deal.

“Anything else you want to discuss?” Dashtan continued their discussion.

“Oh, yes, about my job, do you mind if I keep working? You didn’t mention this in the contract,” Rakia said. Dashtan looked thoughtful.

“I’ll still let you work, but if you want to stop working and let me support you, I have no objection to that.”

Rakia frowned and asked, “So, as long as I work you won’t support me?”

Dashtan smiled widely, for some reason she was happy with this discussion. It was as if she was actually discussing her future.

“Of course I’ll still provide for you, you’re my wife legally and religiously later,” Dashtan replied which only made them awkward. Rakia nodded once, indicating that she understood for now.

“I think that’s enough, the other points I can understand well. When are you coming back here?”

“Probably next week, I’ll let you know and as for your problem tomorrow I’ll discuss it with my lawyer, you can rest assured I’ll resolve it as soon as possible.”

“Thank you again.” Rakia said solemnly.

“You’re welcome, I also have to thank you for helping me.”

They ended the conversation and said their goodbyes before turning off the video call. Rakia stared at the blackened screen of her cell phone after the video call with Dahstan ended. An empty feeling immediately came over her, if not for the demands of that bastard Benjamin, and if only she had the money to be able to pay for the losses she would not want to deal with any man in this world, including Dashtan.

Rakia lay down on her bed staring at the ceiling of her room with muddled thoughts. Even if Dashtan proposed to her later, people would be shocked by the news and hopefully they wouldn’t think anything of it. For example, she got pregnant out of wedlock because of Dashtan. Rakia rolled her eyes and decided to sleep soon because she had to leave early tomorrow to cover the field.