Hopelessly Bound: Book 2 in the Bound series

Chapter 2

History repeats itself, but in such cunning disguise that we never detect the resemblance until the damage is done. – Sydney J. Harris

         
My husband.
        
Zainab's jaw dropped and she stared at her father with wide eyes. 

"What do you mean, Uba?" 

Her father squirmed and his lips thinned. "Mr. Danladi is your husband."

His words rang in her ears and shock surged through her. 

"T-that is not possibl-e-e," she sputtered. "Uwa, what is he talking about?" Her eyes darted to her mother.  

Her mother's eyes dimmed and a grim expression appeared on her face. 

"Uwa, please say something." Zainab's lips quivered.

Her mother looked away but Zainab didn't miss the tears in her eyes.  Her eyes flew to the side as her supposed husband hissed. 

"Are you telling me she didn't know?" He gritted out.  

"That wasn't part of our deal," his father said to Zainab's father.  "You were meant to tell her after the wedding ceremony. " 

Her father grimaced and sent them a pleading look. "Please calm down. We'll resolve it."

"You better do it fast," Mr. Danjuma said with a scowl.

Wedding day? 

When did it take place? 

Her mind traveled to that day eleven years ago. The day of her tenth birthday. The day she was dressed similar to how her sister was dressed as a bride. Events of that day became clear.  That day wasn't just her birthday but her wedding ceremony. 

The realization was a punch in her stomach and dizziness washed over her. 

Through blurry eyes, she saw her mother approach her.

"Please excuse us. Zainab, come with me." She pulled Zainab to her feet.  

Zainab's legs quaked but she let her lead her out of the room. So lost in a daze, she didn't notice when they reached her parents' room. Her mother's cold hand against her cheek broke her trance. 

She looked at her mother with heavy eyes.  "What's happening, Uwa?" Her voice came out low. 

Her mother's lips turned down and her eyes dimmed with sorrow. "We are so sorry." 

Zainab let out a dry chuckle and shook her head. "Are you apologizing for marrying me off or are you apologizing for doing it without my knowledge?" 

Her mother's face scrunched up and she shook her head. "We didn't want to hurt you, that's why we didn't tell you." 

A pained smile grazed Zainab's lips. "You guys have hurt me already." she sniffled.  "Anyway, for now, let's leave that. You just tell me why I am married to a stranger." She wiped her wet cheeks.  

A grimace marred her mother's face and she dropped her hand. "Do you remember your 10th birthday?" 

Zainab's breath hitched as a sick feeling welled within her.  Images from that fateful day flooded her mind and her chest tightened. 

The similarities between that day and her sister's wedding day weren't a coincidence. The guilt on her mother's face said it all. 

"Yes, I do." She whimpered and gazed at her mother with tear-filled eyes. "It wasn't my birthday we celebrated but my marriage." A sob left her lips. "How could you guys do that?" Tears rolled down her face.