Chapter 69: Chapter 69

A week after her check-up with the gynecologist and learning of her pregnancy, Rakia did her best to look normal. Although she had to try hard to hide her morning sickness, not only in the morning but also in the afternoon. She went back to see the same doctor and complained about the morning sickness that came every day.

“Can you prescribe something to reduce it? It’s a bit annoying and ruins my mood at work.” As Rakia spilled her guts, the doctor smiled.

“Hang in there, the morning sickness will end after the second month. Eat something sweet after morning sickness, dates for example. It’s better than other sweets, because it doesn’t risk raising blood sugar.”

Rakia just nodded as she listened attentively to all the advice the doctor had to say.

“If you like milk, it can also be a solution for morning sickness. There are some pregnancy milk products that offer the effect of reducing morning sickness.”

Rakia nodded and was about to head to the supermarket to buy the pregnancy milk. Fortunately, she didn’t have any strange cravings. Maybe it was because the baby understood that the mother was trying to struggle on her own. Rakia sighed as she got into her car and thought about it. Sooner or later this was bound to become known to others and Dashtan as well.

“I’ve even told him I love him, but he's still being a coward.” Rakia monologued as her hands were busy turning the key to start the car engine. When she arrived home after going to the supermarket and buying the few things she needed, she found Dalilah nowhere to be found. Dashtan, on the other hand, she knew wasn’t home yet as his car was nowhere to be seen in the garage. Mrs. Hunt was home so Rakia was free to keep all her belongings in the kitchen where they were rarely used. She kept her pregnancy milk and vitamins there.

Pregnancy made her tired quickly, so she felt that it limited her movement. She doesn’t want to tell anyone yet, including the office where she works. Now the position of program manager has been transferred to her while Brand was fired for trying to bring down the dignity of the CEO of the place he works for during his talk show with Dashtan last week. To be honest, Rakia thought it was an exaggeration. She had discussed it with Dashtan about her firing Brand, but to no avail. Rakia is not the owner of the media. Her formerly outside job has now changed after she became a program manager.

She went back to her room to take a shower but her nausea came on instantly. She ran into the bathroom and unscrewed the toilet lid and squatted in front of the thing and vomited.

“Everything okay?” The question made Rakia both surprised and stiffened in her current place for a moment. She then nodded and got up and washed her mouth and face at the sink. Dashtan watched his wife’s movements with a curious gaze. As Rakia turned around, the woman girded her loins and exhaled loudly. She stared at Dashtan for a moment and then walked past the man standing in the doorway.

Dashtan followed the woman where she went.

“Did you go to the hospital today?” Dashtan asked which instantly made Rakia uncomfortable. But she would still answer honestly even if the reason was different.

“Yes, I went to see dad, there might be more changes in him.” Rakia’s answer was not entirely wrong. She did stop by her father’s room for a while before going home. Dashtan nodded and began to believe, Rakia who was currently sitting on the dressing table chair glanced at the man for a moment to see a reaction.

“Do you know where Dalilah is?” Rakia asked then. Dashtan sighed.

“She left for Dubai ahead of lunch today. I didn’t tell you because I thought you wouldn’t want to know.” Dashtan looked at Rakia who was combing her hair.

“Why don’t we have dinner out tonight?” Dashtan offered, to which Rakia did not immediately reply. She was thinking of not going anywhere tonight because she wanted to rest right away.

“You’re not tired? Because to be honest, today was quite busy at the office, so I want to rest.” Rakia tried to change the man’s mind that they should stay at home tonight.

“Are you sure? I don’t think we’ve had dinner out together in a long time.” Dashtan actually had other intentions of taking the woman out to dinner. Rakia sighed loudly and smiled.

“Are you up to something?” She looked at the man through the mirror with a seductive gaze. Dashtan smiled gracefully then gave her wife a peck on one cheek.

“You’d know if we went out now.” Dashtan’s breath tingled in Rakia’s ears, she got goosebumps from it. Rakia smiled and nodded.

“Okay, we’ll have dinner outside.” That decision made Dashtan smile widely. They both got ready and left ten minutes later with Rakia looking elegant in a peach-colored long-sleeved dress with transparent sleeves. Dashtan teased her as Rakia wore earrings in front of the mirror.

Almost every restaurant in the country with the iconic lion statue is luxurious and elegant. This time, Dashtan booked a restaurant with a bird’s eye view of Marina Bay and most of Singapore. After ordering the food, Dashtan took out a rectangular black velvet box.

“Open it,” he said to Rakia who was currently gawking. Slowly, the woman reached for the object and opened it. It was a blue swarovski diamond necklace. Rakia smiled admiring the beautiful necklace. The model was ordinary but she was fascinated by the sparkle of the real diamonds that bounced and created a light reflection filled with rainbow colors. It indicated that the diamonds were real. Seen from any angle, if exposed to light it would reflect light with rainbow colors in it. Dashtan got up from his chair and helped Rakia put on the necklace then returned to his seat.

“It’s beautiful, thank you,” Rakia said sincerely with her hand touching the pendant. Her gaze radiated her love for the man.

“Everything is for you, Habibti.” Dashtan said that solemnly. Rakia swallowed and got a little nervous. Her mind began to consider whether to tell Dashtan about her pregnancy or stick to her original plan. However, she was quite intrigued by the present moment and the man’s earnestness towards her.

“So, this dinner is just for this necklace?” asked Rakia who still hadn’t found anything more important than the gift of the necklace now around her neck. Dashtan looked at the woman a little confused for a moment but he soon changed his expression with a smile.

“You really forgot?” Dashtan tested and the now clueless Rakia.

“Forgot? Forgot what?” She threw out a question for a question.

“Happy Birthday, Rakia,” Dashtan said as he looked at the woman with his warm gaze. Rakia was stunned for a moment as her mind tried to digest and remember this day and date. It was only when she remembered today’s date and month that she immediately chuckled in embarrassment. She had completely forgotten her own birthday.

“You remember? I just forgot,” Rakia admitted, making Dashtan smile with laughter. The food they ordered came, before eating Rakia’s cell phone rang, from Adeline.

“Hello, Mom,” Rakia greeted in a not-so-loud voice.

“Happy Birthday, Sweetie, where are you?” Rakia’s heart warmed when she heard that greeting from her mother, she smiled.

“Thanks, Mom, I’m having dinner with Dashtan, what’s up, Mom? Any gifts for me?” Rakia flashed her toothpaste ad smile. Adeline laughed.

“Of course, you will be surprised by my gift and also Pedro, come tomorrow to the house with Dashtan, we will have lunch together.”

Rakia nodded even though the person she was talking to didn’t see her.

“Okay, Mom, I’ll come tomorrow, I’ll close first, love you.”

“Love you, too, Sweetie,” Adeline replied before they ended the call.

“Mom?” asked Dashtan after a few minutes of listening to his wife’s conversation with her in-laws. Rakia nodded.

“Mom called us for lunch at her house tomorrow, can you come?” Rakia looked at Dashtan hopefully. When the man nodded, Rakia’s face lit up.

“But, how did you know that it’s my birthday?” Rakia stuffed a small piece of meat into her mouth. The soft and spicy meat spoiled her tongue.

“I need to know everything about you,” Dashtan replied as she finished the mussels.

“Are you starting to try to be a real husband?” Rakia smiled a little.

“I am your husband, legally we are legitimate. If you want to immediately cancel our marriage contract and make me your real husband, I’m willing.” Dashtan sighed and took a sip of water.

“I think we can do that if only you don’t bring Dalilah into our marriage.” Rakia finished her beef steak feeling a little resentful. Until now she still couldn’t accept Dashtan’s reason for marrying that woman. Dashtan just remained silent not wanting to respond as they would only ruin the current atmosphere by arguing.

“Are you going straight home?” Dashtan asked in an attempt to change the topic.

“I’m going to get a pizza,” Rakia replied to Dashtan’s surprise.

“What for?”

Rakia shrugged and gulped down her water.

“I want to eat pizza, that’s all.” Rakia answered as she was. Dashtan just nodded resignedly. When they got home, Rakia got dressed and went into the kitchen to find her pizza. She brought the food in front of the television and turned on the square thing. Watching movies and enjoying the pizza until she fell asleep with the television still on. Dashtan, who had just come out of his workspace, approached the woman. Turned off the television and knelt down by the sofa. He looked at her intently and caressed her face.

“What are you hiding? Habibti?” he said in a soft voice, then carried her into their room.