Chapter 65: Chapter 65

That afternoon, after Rakia brought the noon news and went to the cafeteria on the ground floor she was surprised by Dashtan’s presence waiting for her there. The man gave Rakia a look that signaled her to come over and sit with him at the table. Rakia sighed then complied with the man’s request to sit together.

“Why are you still here?” asked Rakia as she sat on the chair opposite Dashtan.

“I was waiting for you, let’s have lunch together.” Dashtan expressed his wish and then called the waiters to order. Rakia also ordered as the man also ordered food.

“Why didn’t you refuse the interview? You should have kept your distance from the media.” Rakia let out her thoughts. In the midst of an unfavorable situation like this, the man was proudly appearing in public and letting people pry into his personal life. Dashtan sighed at Rakia’s tirade.

“I thought, you were going to host the show so I just accepted.” It was an honest answer. The woman currently in front of her rolled her eyes.

“People out there will talk about you, you may feel that you have an advantage here, but I don’t.” There was a clear display of emotion that Rakia was trying to hold back. Dashtan pursed his lips in response to his wife’s scolding.

“So, you want me to hide, is that it? I know you feel wronged, but I need a public image.”

“What kind of image, hum? The image that you’re a man who married for interest? A man who easily uses marriage to gain a reputation, is that it? I’ve been trying to live invisible to everyone, but you....” Rakia made a hand gesture that synchronized with the look on her face that meant ‘You’ve made a mess’. Dashtan looked at Rakia seriously, he had been quite depressed with his situation lately.

“Can you be on my side for once?” Dashtan asked then leaned towards the woman. Rakia froze when she saw her husband’s serious mode.

“I need you to support me. I know, you’re angry about my marriage to Dalilah, but it’s only on paper, nothing more. You think that woman will support me? You think I’ll get carried away with her?” Dashtan coughed then continued to spill his guts.

“I never even imagined spending a second with her. You know how my father is, he looks like any other father but in reality, he’s the most selfish person I’ve ever known. No one is standing with me right now, except my mother, but I know she will always obey her husband, so now I beg you to stand by my side, as my wife and my loyal supporter I promise to fix everything, including our marriage.” She looked at Rakia for a moment who looked surprised and amazed at the same time. But since she did not get any response, Dashtan got up from her current chair and approached Rakia, then crouched down in gentlemanly fashion beside Rakia. She reached for the woman’s hand and grasped it.

“Please... Habibti, I need you in my life, don’t you leave me too.” That statement made Rakia unable to move. How she had recently struggled to grow her hatred for the man but in fact she had made no progress at all instead she looked like a dazed and confused person with her own feelings. They stared at each other, Dashtan with his pleading gaze and Rakia with her thoughtful gaze.

As she looked into Dashtan’s nether regions, she could clearly see the man’s fragility. He needed someone and she felt compelled to help him, to be something he could rely on for the rest of his life, to help him stay strong by supporting each other. Finally, Rakia nodded as she looked down.

“I’ll try,” Rakia said.

“Tell me that you won’t leave, like Dalilah left me.” Rakia once again looked into the man’s eyes and soul shook, his cracked heart felt even more heartbreaking as she saw the man’s fear was so real, fear of abandonment and loneliness, and she could not be cruel by ignoring the man who was unluckily her husband. Rakia nodded once again with tears quickly gathering in her eyes and the moment she nodded, Dashtan immediately stood up then bent down and brought his forehead together with the woman’s, both hands cupping Rakia’s face.

“Thanks, God,” he said, sounding relieved and sincere. Rakia chuckled when she heard the man’s thanks. Dashtan then kissed the top of Rakia’s head then straightened up and pulled the woman with him, leaving their table.

“Where are we going?” asked a confused Rakia. Dashtan stopped and turned to Rakia without releasing his grip.

“We’re eating somewhere else, we’re already the center of attention here.” Dashtan’s words immediately turned Rakia’s gaze to her surroundings, several pairs of eyes staring at them while whispering. Dashtan tugged Rakia’s hand and went to the cashier’s desk to cancel his order then walked away. As he headed to the parking lot he was furious at Rakia’s slow pace, finally he released his grip and immediately carried Rakia in front of his body to the car. Rakia who received such treatment suddenly squealed.

“What the... Hey, put me down, Ash!” Rakia protested but Dashtan did not listen.

“Shut up or I’ll kiss you,” Dashtan’s threat instantly made Rakia turn red in the face. Dashtan lowered Rakia’s body in front of the car door and opened the car door for the woman.

“Wait, what about my car?” asked Rakia who instantly remembered her car.

“We’re just going to lunch, Habibti, after this I’ll drive you back here.” After saying that Dashtan immediately closed the car door and turned towards the front to get to the driving seat. Once Rakia was in the car, she looked around and realized something was different.

“This is not your car,” Rakia said when her husband was in the car with her.

“I replaced it with a new one, this one is bulletproof.” Dashtan started the engine, while Rakia widened her eyes in surprise.

“What did you buy a bulletproof car for? It was a waste of money.” Rakia grumbled again. Dashtan sighed and then turned to his wife and motioned for her to come closer to him. Rakia was confused, but she still followed Dashtan’s wishes. When they were so close, Dashtan immediately stole a brief but deep peck on Rakia’s lips.

“You’ve been so chatty lately, so when you talk too much, you’ll immediately get that from me, you understand?” Dashtan looked at Rakia who was staring at him in surprise and gawking. As he started to run the car, Rakia immediately backed away and returned to her place. She couldn’t get over Dashtan’s behavior that made her look like a fool.

Dashtan chose an all you can eat restaurant. Rakia looked at the restaurant’s xbanner displayed at the entrance, which featured an all you can eat promo.

“You’re here because of that promo?” Rakia guessed and Dashtan followed Rakia’s pointing finger to the xbanner near the entrance.

“Um, why?” said Dashtan as he nodded and looked at Rakia.

“I didn’t expect you to hunt for a promo like that.” Rakia said then turned to Dashtan. She then smiled happily and the smile infected the man.

“I’m flexible. Now, before we go in there, let’s make a bet.”

“Bet?” Rakia was confused again.

“Yes, whoever can eat the most food will be given three wishes, anything.”

Rakia’s eyes went wide and she smiled slyly.

“Okay, bring it on,” Rakia said excitedly. Dashtan smiled happily.

“Deal?”

“Deal. “Rakia accepted the challenge, then the next second Dashtan pulled her close and gave her a peck on the lips like before.

“That’s the right way to deal between us.” Dashtan blinked one eye after saying that and then opened the car door and got out. He ran to where Rakia was sitting and opened the car door for the woman. Dashtan offered his arm to Rakia to which the woman responded by rolling her eyes before taking the man’s arm. She gave Dashtan a pinch on the man’s waist and instantly made the man wince as he voiced his protest of Rakia’s pinch. The woman laughed at her husband’s silly behavior and for the first time after those emotionally draining days, she felt Dashtan was real with her and hers.