Chapter 25: Chapter 25
Dashtan blew out a few candles that were stuck on a large rectangular cake. Everyone at the party applauded after the man blew out all the candles. Dashtan looked at the people present at the party with a smile, he left Rakia to stare at the end with eyes full of meaning for a feeling that was still burning inside him. That passion settled inside him like chlorine at the bottom of a water barrel. Waiting for someone to lift it up and bring it to the surface.
Rakia noticed the man’s gaze on her which made her immediately sit up and squirm slowly in her chair. As if Dashtan’s passion was connected to her she could still feel the man in several spots on her body. The incident in the elevator a few moments ago was a second beautiful mistake. Rakia turned her face away from Dashtan towards the dish that was currently in front of her. She rolled her eyes as her other self said that the incident in the elevator was the most beautiful mistake. She took a slow sip of the champagne filling the glass stemware on her current table. Her mouth and throat burned as she sipped the drink. To be honest, she was not used to drinking such drinks, so she only took two sips and then called for the waiter to give her orange juice.
“Thank you for coming to this event, honestly this is not just a birthday event,” Dashtan said to the audience he invited to the place. Everyone listened, including Rakia who had been able to control herself even though she had not fully recovered from her desire waiting to be reawakened by someone.
“Exactly a month ago, I met a woman, by accident. We became acquainted and over time became close.” Dashtan began.
“After giving it a good thought, maybe it’s time to take our relationship in a more serious direction. That’s why at this event I will officially propose to her.”
Rakia, who was sipping her orange juice, choked. Dashtan left where he was standing at the moment, walking over to where Rakia was sitting. The woman was surprised when Dashtan stood near her. The man knelt down gently then took out a small black velvet-lined box and opened it. A ring with a small blue diamond in the center sat gracefully there, the blue diamond gleaming in the light of the room’s lamps.
“Rakia... Marry me,” Dashtan said, immediately making the few people in the room startle and murmur. Rakia who heard those sacred words held her breath for a moment, her mind suddenly blank with shock. However, she quickly pulled herself together and smiled gently at Dashtan. Rakia made a small movement by tilting her head to one side quickly and a smile graced her lips. She thrust her left hand towards Dashtan.
“Yes, I will,” Rakia said as applause immediately echoed in the room. Dashtan with his angelic conquering smile placed the ring on Rakia’s ring finger and he gazed contentedly at the ring as it fit snugly there. He was not wrong in determining the size of her finger. Dashtan offered his hand to help Rakia up from her chair and then led her to the front of the audience, where he stood to give a short speech. Unexpectedly, the man gave her a brief peck on one cheek that left her momentarily surprised and blushing.
“Time for some role-playing,” Dashtan whispered as he pecked Rakia’s cheek. She gave a small but faint nod. They looked at each other as if they were lovers in love. And somehow it made both of them flutter. Rakia broke eye contact first and turned to stare at the people present. Dashtan smiled shyly for a few moments before he turned his gaze to the guests.
What followed was them dancing with several other couples who were also dancing to classical music.
“How was it? Were you impressed with the proposal?” asked Dashtan in a half-whispered voice into Rakia’s ear making the woman shiver as she was tickled by Dashtan’s breath on her ear and neck. Rakia smiled embarrassed and blushed at the same time.
“You must have loved a woman to be good at making romantic things like that,” Rakia said which instantly changed Dashtan’s mood a little.
“Yes, that’s right and that woman is in this room.” Dashtan’s words made Rakia immediately look at the man, curious.
“Really?” asked Rakia curiously. Dashtan nodded then shifted his gaze to look for the figure he was referring to. Rakia immediately followed the direction of the man’s gaze and she was surprised.
“Lila?!” said Rakia in a half-believing, half-not tone. Dashtan looked back at her this time with a furrowed brow.
“Do you know her?” Dashtan asked.
“Recently. My mom works with her husband Steven in the greenhouse at her hotel. I’ve been there because of my mom’s invitation,” Rakia explained to which Dashtan responded with a nod. Rakia looked at the man who was also looking at her.
“Why did you invite her if it made you uncomfortable?” Rakia looked at Dashtan curiously trying to understand the man through her eyes.
“Our relationship involving hearts ended three years ago, now our relationship is limited to business partners.” Dashtan replied without taking his gaze off Rakia.
“You must have loved her a lot, back then,” Rakia guessed with a faint smile, a speck of jealousy present in her heart but she ignored it. Dashtan sighed and nodded weakly.
“We were almost married but she decided to marry the man she’s with now because of her parents’ request, for the sake of the family business.”
Rakia smiled sarcastically as she rolled her eyes.
“And you’re also going to have the same marriage she’s having now, with me as the sacrifice.”
Dashtan flinched slightly at the woman’s words.
“I have no choice,” Dashtan defended himself. Rakia lowered her head as she shrugged then looked back at Dashtan. Their movements were slow and deliberate.
“Is that so? Actually you have, you can move on from your feelings for Lila and get into a relationship with another woman then get married and live happily,” said Rakia who sounded very naive even to herself. It was Dashtan’s turn to smile sarcastically.
“That’s very naive, but unfortunately I can’t do it. I’m trying not to hurt myself anymore.”
Rakia let out a long sigh at Dashtan’s statement that did not match the current reality.
“Then, what are you trying to do now, huh? Hurt me?” asked Rakia with an ambiguous meaning. Dashtan felt cornered, he then brought his face closer to Rakia to tease the woman. However, Rakia knew the man’s intentions, so she seemed to be bolder by welcoming his teasing.
“Then, what do you want? I don’t want us to include our feelings in this marriage, you know we’re doing it because we agreed to help each other.” Dashtan said right in front of Rakia’s addicted lips. Rakia smiled seductively and Dashtan was carried away by that smile.
“What do you think? I definitely don’t want you to use me for something like we did in the elevator.” Rakia gave Dashtan a sharp look then ended her dance with the man abruptly by quickly walking away from him. Dashtan was surprised at Rakia’s sudden change of emotions, he could only stand where he was as he stared at the woman’s figure that was moving away from his towards the table.
“Ah, damn it! Even in a state of anger, she’s still so seductive,” he cursed then let out a rough sigh and left the place where he was currently standing.