Hopelessly Bound: Book 2 in the Bound series

Prologue

Nothing hurts more than being disappointed by the one person who you thought would never hurt you.”― Gugu Mofokeng

Dry leaves scattered around and trees bowed as a heavy wind swept through the quaint town of Kore in the Northern part of Nigeria.  

The pulsing beats from the speakers in a brown bungalow at the edge of Textile Street drowned out the sounds of the approaching storm. 

Ten-year-old Zainab Haruna frowned at her reflection in the mirror.  What exactly was going on?

Zainab had woken up early, expecting birthday wishes and gifts but much to her bewilderment, her mother, her sisters, and numerous female relatives gathered around her with jewelry of all kinds and a beaded red and gold skirt and blouse.  

As she stared at the outfit laid out on the bed, she couldn't help but wonder why it reminded her of her sister's bridal dress from six months ago. 

The weight of the gold necklace her mother placed around her neck broke her musings and she stared at her made-up face. Bright red lipstick covered her lips and the rims of her eyes were covered with kohl. 

She swallowed hard and looked at her mom who was grinning from ear to ear. "Uwa, me ke faruwa?" 

Her mother squeezed her shoulders. "It's a special occasion, dear."

Zainab's face brightened. "Really? Am I having a party?" She stared at her mother with anticipation.   

Her mother's smile faltered.  "Kind of. But don't think about it. Let's get you dressed."   She pulled Zainab to her feet and helped her remove her black and white polka dot dress.  

With the help of her mother, Zainab slipped into the outfit spread out on the bed. The mermaid-styled skirt pooled around her feet. A frown marred her face as one of her aunties wrapped a huge gold turban around her hair and then pinned a long red veil on the turban. The weight of the headgear caused Zainab to sway.  

Zainab's eyes fell on the lalle's flowery design drawn across her hands and feet.  

Everything reminded her too much of her sister's wedding. 

But it couldn't be her wedding day.  She was still too young to marry. At least she hoped so. 

Boys were difficult to deal with. The boys in her school and neighborhood always found a reason to tease her. She didn't want to have anything to do with them. 

Her mother stepped back and beamed.  "You look so beautiful." 

Zainab spared a look at the mirror and she grimaced. The make-up on her face made her look several years older and the outfit swallowed her small frame. A lump lodged in her throat as dismay washed over her. That wasn't how she planned to celebrate her birthday.  

She turned away from the mirror as her mother wrapped an arm around her shoulder.  

"Let's go. We don't want to be late," her oldest sister said. She was also dressed in a gorgeous magenta turtleneck dress. 

Late for what? She wanted to ask but couldn't find her voice.  

Her mother and sisters led her out of the room and down the narrow corridor of their house. The gold bangles around her wrists jangled as she walked.  She held her skirt up to prevent herself from tripping over. 

As they drew closer to the living room, the tunes of traditional Hausa songs filled her senses. Songs similar to the ones played at her sister's wedding.  

Her mother gently squeezed her shoulder and pushed her across the threshold of the living room.  Her breath caught as the eyes of everyone in the room fell upon her. She scanned the room full of unfamiliar faces. 

None of her friends were in sight. The sitting area was filled with adults of different ages and sizes decked in traditional Hausa attires. They were dressed similarly to the guests at her sister's wedding. 

 Her eyes traveled to the other parts of the room and her dismay increased. The Tinkerbell birthday cake her dad promised to get her wasn't on the centre table as she had expected.

Disappointment bubbled within her. 

That wasn't the expectation she had for her tenth birthday.  It was her dream to be dressed in a mint Tinkerbell dress with wings attached, surrounded by her friends from school, church and the neighbourhood.  

She anticipated eating her favorite foods and snacks. A luxury she enjoyed every year on her birthday.   

Sadness washed over her as she realized her dream might forever be a dream. 

A push on her back broke her musings and she turned to the side. Her mother was leading her to a spot opposite the room and her eyes drifted to that direction. 

Her brows wrinkled as her eyes stopped on an unknown boy seated on the couch.  The boy looked to be a few years older than her.  He was clad in the Hausa male attire which consisted of Babban riga paired with a long flowing robe.  A richly embroidered cap sat atop his head.  

Why did his ensemble remind her of her sister's husband's outfit on their wedding day?  

Zainab's confusion heightened as her mother put her to sit beside the strange boy.  She pushed herself to the edge of the chair, leaving a lot of space between them.  The boy didn't seem to notice her as he stared straight ahead with a deep frown. 

When he finally spared her a glance a few minutes later, he sent her a scowl before turning away.  

Irritation coursed through her and she decided that she didn't like him. He was just like all the boys who troubled her. She hoped she would never have to see him again. 

But just like her failed birthday dream, her wish forever remained a wish.  

                            ★★★★★

Woohoo! 🎉🎉

Our story has officially begun!

What are your thoughts?

Are you excited about what is going to happen next? 

I am excited about what I am cooking 😂

Let me know what's going through your mind.

See you in the next chapter. XD