“Habibti... Wake up.” Dashtan said that with a soft intonation as he woke up his wife who was still fast asleep. This was the first time he had seen his wife wake up later than usual. Rakia just squirmed and mumbled something incoherent. Dashtan smiled at the woman’s childish behavior.

“Hey, wake up, do you want me to have breakfast alone?”

Rakia’s hearing had apparently fully recovered even though sleepiness still had its grip on her. She clucked then painstakingly lifted her eyelids. She only saw Dashtan’s figure in faint shadows.

“Five minutes,” Rakia said in a typical sleepy tone. Dashtan smiled again. Rakia exhaled through her nose loudly then...