Bound ✅

#TheHJFairytale

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Tell me what you think. I now have more time to edit so few grammatical and typos will be found.

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"Mum."

Halima called as she took of her sandals at the door.  When she entered the house, she didn't see her mother at her usual chair. She knew then that she'd be in the kitchen.

"Mum. Ina Wuni ma." Her mother replied her greeting. She was removing leaves off the stalks of a vegetable. Halima sighed when she saw Safeenah pounding ground egusi in a mortar nearby. Seemed like she was here to stay.

"Did you hear that Salisu's mother got slapped? Like slapped so much that her cheeks are as big as balloons now?" Halima knew that if she hadn't been watching her mother, she could have missed the smug smile that came over her face.

"Did you beat her?" She asked her mother automatically, then she regretted her rashness. Her mother eyed her and continued to cut pumpkin leaves.

"Why would I embarrass myself in that manner? Who has her time? Ask Safeenah if I left the house today. I was here all through." Halima tilted her head in suspicion at her mother. This particular incident had happened to a family member of her father when he had slapped Halima's mother. So, Halima was suspicious.

"If you say so." As Halima walked to her room, her mother called her back. "Ma?"

"Your sister called. She sends her regards and she sent some money for us to renovate the house in preparation for the wedding celebrations. Painting and all the interior upheaval." Halima nodded. She knew, Amal had called her immediately she sent the money.

"She told me. May Allah replenish her pockets." Her mother muttered an Ameen and Halima walked to her room. The day had gone well, her therapy session was bland, nothing new came up. Just the planner who wanted to know if she had picked a color set and flowers. She had told the planner that she wanted to make that decision with Jamal.

As she dropped her bag unto the bed, she pulled out her phone and tapped her phone app. She tapped on the second number on speed dial and the receiving end rang.

"Hello. Assalamualaikum." She said immediately she heard Jamal pick. He answered in such a breath-taking tone that had her insides tickling.

"How are you?" Halima played with her feet as she answered. "I'm fine. I just got back from a meeting with the planner."

"Lee. For a second, can we not talk about the wedding? Let's talk about you and me. How are you really?" Halima sighed and flopped down on her bed.

"Tired, excited. Those are the emotions I feel." Halima heard a rustling sound come in from the phone.

"I'm sorry if the preparations make you tired." Halima sighed, she didn't want to sound selfish.

"That's not what I mean. You know, the chunk of choices are with me. I feel a little overwhelmed by those choices." Jamal made a sound to say that he understood and cleared his throat before speaking.

"Don't let yourself get overwhelmed, if you need to talk anytime. I'm here. Send me your choices, I'll help you choose. Okay? Lee?" Halima said she had heard and thought carefully before sneakily asking him what his favorite flower was.

"I'm shy." He laughed, Halima joined him when she noticed he was laughing at himself. "Talk. I won't laugh anymore." She promised but as she did so, she wondered I she'd be able to keep that promise.

"I love pale pink roses." Halima muted the call and cackled loudly. She had never heard a man say that. Ever. Men would say it affected their masculinity.