Chapter 30

• The ring looked amazing on Rakia’s hand when she wore it, but not on her heart. Just a ring would bind them together in marriage vows. Rakia swallowed as she removed the ring from her ring finger and gave it to Dashtan, trying to smile so as not to look so stiff and nervous. Her heart was beating uncomfortably, and she began to feel dizziness coming on. She scanned her surroundings for a place to sit and found a bench with a backrest on the right side of the back. Rakia immediately approached the bench and sat there. She caught her breath and neutralized her feelings, suddenly attacked by panic.
• “Oh, come on, Rakia... It’s just a ring.” She encouraged herself in her mind. She hoped it would work, and slowly, the bad feeling receded. She turned her gaze towards Dashtan, who was still struggling with their wedding rings. Rakia once again let out a long sigh, but Dashtan noticed it, so he joined her on the bench.
• “Are you okay?” Dashtan looked at Rakia worriedly. He knew something was going on with the woman; something was wrong. But he didn’t know what, and Rakia seemed to be trying to cover it up. Dashtan examined the woman’s forehead with his hand, then moved to the cheeks and neck. Rakia was a little confused by the treatment she was getting.