When Stars Collide

Kamuyi

"Everybody, please rest, take a nap, try to sleep a bit or anything you do to rest, makeup artists arrive at four pm and this is one pm already. Those three hours let's rest so we look out best, thank you." Chichi's announcement caused laughter among Hibba and the rest of the five girls. 

They just climbed the stairs after spending a whole ninety minutes taking photos for Hibba and Salman's wedding album. 

Once they reached the room, Chichi turned the tap to hot and wet a soft towel, wringed out the hot water before handing it to Hibba who was reluctant to shower. "Clean your face, when you wake later you can shower." 

Hibba nodded and put the steaming towel to her face, tired to her bones. The photographer wanted them to use all of the morning and early afternoon sun to take their wedding pictures and somehow it tired them out. 

Chichi wet another face towel for Nafeesah before wetting another for herself. They were done soon and climbed into bed together, tired as they were they didn't have the strength to drag the mattress Nafeesah had been sleeping on. 

"Hibba?" Nafeesah adjusted herself to face both Chichi and Hibba before continuing. "I'll be an obnoxious aunt and tell you, you must make effort with Salman. Don't let it just be him doing, giving, giving. He will get tired someday but, once the energy is reciprocated, he'll continue to want to do. 

Ayman and Salman are somewhat similar so I can give you advice based on that. Give him little things that surprise him, take him to dinners, ask him to lunches, attend weddings with him, laugh about other people together, raise your children as one, with one thought and mind. 

It's a union for a reason, do your own bit and when he does his part, it becomes a warm, happy home. May Allah be your guide, Ameen." Hibba muttered a small Ameen, trying to think of what Nafeesah said when Chichi cleared her throat. 

"I think being married gives you sense because- I know I could not have thought of that." They all laughed at Chichi's words, but they knew she was the most emotional of all of them, she wore her emotions on her sleeve but masked it by being 'wicked'. 

"Me, I'm team be wicked to men. Forever." They all laughed again because Chichi had brought her hands up to make peace signs with both hands. 

"Don't worry, I'll pair you off to Captain Akintunde and we can have a club called Captain's wives. Wouldn't it be nice?" Hibba asked teasingly, Chichi turned to her aghast with immense horror. 

"No oo. That one with roving eyes? Every time I turned to him, his eyes were looking around. I suppose that how pilots are, looking around." Hibba and Nafeesah couldn't hold back their loud laughter this time around, Hibba who was close to the wall hit it over and over to try to stem her uncontrollable laughter. 

"You've met two good pilots, can't you shift your prejudice?" Nafeesah asked seriously, no longer laughing so hard.

"Nah-uh. Is it a stereotype when it's true? Have you seen them at airports? Preening for female attention? Nah. I no do." She clasped her hands over her belly seriously. 

"What if he asks you to dinner?" Hibba asked, knowing what she had seen earlier, it wasn't too far off. 

"Only if it's intentional and thoughtful, I will no longer under any circumstances accept bare minimum from anyone. I will no longer have to beg you to call me, text me, take me out, plan dates, ask how my day went. This time, no bare minimum. If you can't handle me, please take a walk." She heaved from saying everything out in one breath. The room was quiet, Hibba and Nafeesah, though now married, knew the weight of her words, the power they carried. It was the strength every one craved to have, to never accept bare minimum disguised as big gestures.