Bound ✅

Ms.

This is a late anniversary present to all Wattpad Banters girl who a sister to another. Thank you all so so much. Ciao Bellas.

"Ma'am. Good morning."

Halima turned around and smiled shyly at Jamal who set his suit over the smooth edge of a kitchen chair.

"How did you sleep?" She blushed before setting a plate of toast and eggs in front of him. "I slept as well as you let me. You're insatiable, Ya Allah." Jamal picked a toast, broke it into two, paused to push up his glasses before answering her.

"You can't say you didn't enjoy it? It was mutual effort." Halima blushed to the roots of her hair and pulled the cap on her braided hair nervously. "You're incorrigible, Jamal Abubakar!" Jamal's only answer was to laugh out loud, the sound reverberating in the kitchen.

"So, mum said she has sent Na Umaimah to you. She should be here later today." Halima walked away from the stove and sat in front of Jamal. "Why? Who would cook for your father then?"

Jamal shrugged and went on eating as though he didn't know. Halima sighed, mummy was taking drastic decisions that shook her.

"I don't need anyone, I can do it all alone." Jamal shook his head, stopping to finish chewing. "You can't. Not that you cannot, but you'd be ragged out before a year runs out. Na Umaimah will be here and fortnightly, we'll have a cleaning service come to clean all the ensuites and the floors." Halima leaned back in her chair and considered the importance of what Jamal was saying.

"This is a seven bedroom duplex Malama. How can you even think of doing it alone, with your business and my troublesome girls?" Halima chuckled and got up to turn off the stove.

"I'll take Na Umaimah on if it won't be a bother to mummy." Jamal shrugged, then his eyes lit up as he suddenly remembered something.

"We're doing a small dinner to celebrate the opening of our oil company in two weeks." He picked out a black and white filigree bordered invitation card and handed it to Halima who broke the seal and looked through it.

"Black tie?" He nodded, taking a sip of his tea. "I look forward to seeing you in a beautiful dress and taking it off later." He winked at her, pushed back his chair and came round to kiss her forehead. He lingered, inhaling the scent that came from her hair.

"I love this scent. Citrusy, minty scent that just drives me crazy at work." Halima shook her head, dislodging Jamal's hold on her head. "Wallah, you're shameless, the girls could come down anytime." Jamal pulled on his wife's cheek and placed a noisy kiss on it.

"They'll only see how they should be treated, they should not take anything less." Halima could not speak, he just shut her down with his words, she watched him leave the kitchen and soon the front door shut and a car drove out.

Right there in the kitchen, Halima burst into loud tears, wondering how she deserved this miracle.

******

"Hello Ma," Halima greeted the older woman who stood in front of her, she was a wiry old lady holding a cane.

"How are you dear?" Halima smiled and said she was fine, she looked around for Jamal to introduce she and this woman, she didn't even know how to greet her. "I'm just an old woman who is pleased that you're taking those evil men to court, I'm proud of you and all that you and your friends are doing. It's hard I know, but you will win with perseverance." Halima could only nod, tears had gathered at her eyes.

"Thank you ma'am." The older woman took her hand and patted it. "My eldest sister was raped and choked to death by a gang on the streets of London in ninety eighty nine. She could not even speak of it, to be able to speak of it means you won, you survived. And well done for that." Halima sniffled and looked in her purse for a handkerchief, when Jamal passed her his pocket square.

"Thank you Jamal." She subtly wiped her eyes and the drops of tears. When she opened her eyes, the old lady was gone. Halima smiled wanly at Jamal before saying, "There is so much evil in this world Jamal. I can't even imagine." Instead of speaking, he pulled her to himself and Halima inhaled his sandalwood scent that drove her crazy.

"Let's go, the cocktail hour is over." She nodded, and adjusted her co-ord A line dress that stopped at her ankles, on the sides were hand sewn sparkly little buttons that showed the beauty of the dress. Kemi made it, it was a high neck fashioned thing that she only wore a beautiful silver turban with.

"Can I use the restroom first?" He nodded and let her go, watching her as she passed through the crowd, apologising for breaking discussion and walking head high.

When Halima got back, Jamal was seated already and the National anthem had been sung. "I'm about to go up there to give my speech, you okay?" She nodded and he took hold of her left hand to kiss it lightly.

"And we invite, one of the co-founders, to give the opening remark." A round of applause burst out at that announcement and Jamal got up, buttoned his muted black damask suit and walked to the podium, shifting the microphone to his height immediately he reached it.

"Good evening everyone, your excellencies, your highnesses. Thank you for heeding our invitation and gracing us to your presence, we're very grateful." A smattering of applause rose at that.

"One thing that we have resolved as partners to do is honestly, loyalty. We decided that loyalty to our customers, to our nation and to our families. Which means, whatever we give you, whatever service is rendered, it will be of the highest quality.

My other partners wish to thank our spouses,  and since I'm the one here making the speech, I'd like to thank my wife and partner Halima Aliyu, thank you Lee." Halima laughed and blushed at him, the camera swung to her direction, capturing the smile she gave Jamal, this made everyone in the crowd to give another round of applause, this cued Jamal's speech end.

********

I'm sorry 😔, I know it's so late, but I've been working really hard on a new book that I completely forgot about Bound, so today when I got inspiration, if you see the way I jumped and finished my chores ehn.

Also, most people don't even Comment anymore. I just dey look 👀 una. I'll update when I get my personal comments number, so please, Comment. Na beg I beg.

So, atarodo spicy abi? 🌶️ I know, we need to be appreciated more. Just say thanks to your loved ones for no reason, it would make them smile. 

See y'all soon. I love every single one of you, including the newbies.

Theomoope.