Dashtan stared at Rakia with a surprised look, then he looked down as he exhaled loudly through his sharp nose. He folded his lips into his mouth as he thought, but he couldn’t think of an appropriate response to Rakia’s question. Meanwhile, Rakia stared at Dashtan waiting for the man’s reaction to her question.

“I... Don’t want you to get hurt for expecting so much from me.” Dashtan sighed in relief, at least he didn’t look helpless in front of a woman. He did not want to let anyone see his weak side, he was still unable and completely at peace with himself. He was too afraid to make a...