Chapter 2: The Golden Cage

Zara did not know what came over her. Never before had she acted on genuine impulse, let alone guilt. She was the sole, spoiled child of Chief Okonkwo, and she had perfected the art of not caring. Everybody, she knew, secretly wanted her life, even as they whispered about her privileged indifference.

She was supposed to be in Mauritius for a friend's party, but her father had blocked her exit, demanding she represent him on the judging panel to "start learning the company." He wanted her focused on the family legacy, not her "childhood nonsense."

Sitting there, she had been bored, cynical, and irritated. The entire audition process was a farce; everyone knew the top five artists had already been informally selected. She decided to save everyone the high hopes and end the charade quickly.

But that guy, Mustafa. Of all the contestants she’d dismissed, he was the only one whose dejection was so raw, so utterly devastating. The hope had drained from his face as if she’d pulled a plug.

It’s just an audition, she argued with herself. He can try again.

Yet, the image of his eyes, eyes that held a fierce, desperate dream kept her awake that night. She tossed and turned, the soft silk sheets of her penthouse suite suddenly abrasive. Her conscience, a muscle she rarely exercised, would not rest.

Find him and… do what?

She chastised herself. Stop! This is not you, Zara. You don't care about anyone but yourself.

But for the first time, the lie felt heavy on her tongue. Her gilded cage suddenly felt smaller, and the overwhelming apathy she wore like armor had cracked. She was stuck here for another month until the participants were officially selected, but now she had a new mission. She was going to find him.

The Trip to Mauritius didn't seem all that appealing anymore, She felt like she had more important things to do now, But first, she had to talk to her Father

Things were going out of hand outside, the rumours were becoming louder and for the first time, she found herself listening more and more and they are starting to get to her, especially the one's flying now, "Chief Okonkwo is into Men", "I mean, why else has he not remarried since his wife's death, No wonder, the daughter is spoiled, I heard he paid her way through school, even paying for a first class result, He didn't want anything to tarnish his perfect image, does he do young girls too, is she even his daughter?"

She has heard enough, that was truly the height of it, she truly had no idea where all of these rumours started from, but she sure as h£ll won't let it go too far,but first, she needs to see her Father.

Picking up her phone, she dialled her Dad's number, listening to the phone ring as she waited for his answer, "Hello" came Chief Okonkwo's Gruntled reply, as if he just ended a marathon,his breaths heaving and breath catching, "Daddy?, where are you, are you at work?, No Zara I had to go on a quick trip, I will be back by evening". "We need to talk and it's important" she told him, but he had already dropped the call on his end.

She knew who to talk to, and she is getting answers herself.

Madam Njideka was surprised to see her, but she was calm, as if she knew she was coming before she did, "I want answers, the rumours, are they true?"

"I can't say anything to you, I'm sorry" , "I will pay you, name your price, I really need these answers" madam Njideka smiled to herself, "still the Rich girl attitude, I see", "Two Hundred thousand and I will tell you what you need to know". "Fine, I will give you half now and half after you are done, I need proof as well, I know you have them".

At the end of her meeting, she has made her decision, She will no longer act as Chief Okonkwo's daughter, she will act as Zara

She has to, or even her last ounce of pride will be snatched away from her. Her Father was truly a disgrace, and for a moment, she wished she wasn't born to Him, How could he?, No wonder, she thought, Everything starting to fall in place, the late nights, the quick meetings, his interest in upcoming young male artist, she wiped her eyes angrily, trying to hold back her tears and failing, No! "I won't give up like this"

She moved out quietly, and moved to a different house, The one in her Mother's Name, With her Father's money, Yes! But she won't stay homeless, she won't let herself go through unnecessary hardships because of her father's act!

All she needs now is to find Peace, to Find Herself, to find her Purpose

Surprisingly, Only One person comes to Mind, fueled with determination, she set out the next day, holding the envelope her informant gave her about his present location.

I hope this goes well she prayed, Fixing a smile on her face and another "fighting!" She entered the Lagos local street standing out amongst the crowd and sighting him in the middle playing his guitar and singing happily, he looked happy, but she could still see sadness deep within. She saw him stare at his phone, and the music ended, leaving the crowd to a quiet corner to make a call, she saw all colour drained from his face, And knew before he even said his whispered "Hello" this is going to be a long day!