Chapter 32

• It was an exhausting reception for Rakia and Dashtan. They were now in the suite that was their bridal suite. Rakia was taking off the heels she had been wearing for hours and lightly massaging her throbbing calves. Dashtan took off his tie and outerwear in the suite's living room. He also undid the cufflinks and one shirt button at the top. Remembering the buttons at his wrists, he rolled his sleeves to his elbows. It was five o'clock in the afternoon. Dashtan and Rakia had agreed to limit their reception hours to avoid getting too tired, but they were already tired enough. Most of the guests they had invited had come, especially Dashtan's business colleagues and Dashtan's father, As well as guests from Rakia's side, her friends at Daily Singapore, her father's colleagues, her mother, and Pedro's doctor. Rakia didn't expect many guests even though she had limited them, but it turned out that her wedding to Dashtan was not just a wedding. Local and foreign media covered the event—especially the Dubai News media. Dashtan's stepfather, a member of parliament, made the wedding not escape the press.
• "Hi, want me to help you take off the dress?" asked Dashtan as he approached Rakia, who was sitting in front of the dressing table, struggling to remove the small tiara that was pinned on top of her hair as a pin for the tulle cloth that dangled for several meters. Rakia looked at Dashtan through the mirror and then nodded.
• "Sorry for the kiss," Dashtan said, breaking their silence. Rakia lowered her gaze from Dashtan to avoid eye contact.