When Stars Collide

#HibSalForever 1

Hibba watched as her friend prayed with her hands joined together, she prayed with such deep resolution on her face, Hibba watched her remove her hands from their joining and wave to the heavens. She smiled, then turned away because she felt like she was intruding on a private moment, it was though, a private moment between Chichi and her God. 

"What did you pray for?" She asked as Chichi got up about three minutes later, her friend stopped folding the blanket she'd slept in and narrowed her eyes at Hibba. 

"I prayed that God gives me patience, I don't want to argue or fight with anyone today. I'm marrying out my best friend, I want to be on my best behavior." Hibba couldn't help the genuine laughter that bubbled out of her and lasted at least thirty seconds. She laughed and laughed, feeling the prick of tears at her eyes, she tried to scream so she would stop but Chichi's face, as she described with her hands waving, was too funny. 

"Hei, Chichi, you won't kill me." Her friend smiled, but she laid the purple checked blanket she had folded on her pillow and sat on the space she had slept on. 

"Hibba, I prayed- I prayed that God keeps this happiness you have forever, I prayed that your love with Salman will transcend into something trusty, unbreakable and lasting. I prayed that this marriage, you'd never bite your fingers and say you made a mistake. I've thrown in a fast here and there this week, but my sincere prayer for you, is to be happy. God is making my wish come to pass by making sure you both are marrying, the other bigger wish is for the both of you to stay together with each other all your lives." Hibba could not speak, a certain ball lodged itself in her voice box, she was sure that if she managed to say a word, it would come out as a squeak. 

"Thank-" She croaked out painfully, swallowing the ball and freeing her throat up to speak. "Thank you Chichi. Forever, I'll bless Allah for you." Chichi smiled, and turning to her, she frowned. 

"Why are you crying?" Hibba suddenly felt wetness on her cheeks. She wiped them quickly, trying to figure out how tears ran down her eyes without her knowing. 

"I didn't cry, my eyes got wet." Chichi nodded approvingly. "Good. Don't cry, or all this bravado will fall apart and I'll cry till tomorrow if I start my own." Her words triggered a new round of tears in Hibba and she coughed lightly to hold them back. She remembered a trick from a TikTok where they said if you raised your tongue to the roof of your mouth while feeling tears, they would not come out. 

"I want you to know one thing though, you have my time anytime, any day, you're free to disturb me, I won't ever mind. Don't ever wonder about my love for you, don't assume about my affection for you, you have a section of my heart forever. Forever." Hibba finally couldn't help the tears and began to full on bawl like a day old infant. 

"Why is she crying now?" Chichi laughed out, wiping her own tears that escaped. 

"I love you with everything in me." Chichi made a face, she touched Hibba's cheeks and they hugged each other, they whispered thanks and genuine prayers for one another, knowing God loved nothing more than a prayer done with a genuine heart. They moved back and looked at each other, laughed and wiped their tears. 

"Are you ready to get married now?" Hibba's 'Yes' rang out in the room that overlooked the compound's car park, they could hear the 'Yes' from far away of they strained their ears. 

*****

***

"This dress is just perfect." 

Nafeesah adjusted the sky blue lace that had been sewn into a facade skirt and blouse, with full bell sleeves and an long mermaid tail skirt at the back. Chichi dusted powder off Hibba's face while she stood with her back to the mirror.