They ended the kiss by closing their eyes and resting their foreheads against each other. Inhaling as much air as possible to fill their oxygen-deprived lungs.

“Don’t ask for my heart, Rakia...,” Dashtan said after she gained the strength to speak.

“I won’t ask for it, I just want us to be honest with ourselves in this marriage.” Rakia tried to get the man to open up to her and go through this marriage without any pretense. Dashtan opened her eyes while Rakia immediately put some distance between them as she turned to the other side. She took a deep breath and then let it out regularly.

“I’ll try, but...