Yesterday's Future 2✔️

16. The more she thought of it.

2:48pm,
Gigi's Gallery,
Jabi, Abuja.

The photo shoot session took about four hours considering the number of funky outfits Gigi had Simi change into, all the charismatic, close-up poses and monochromatic concepts she had in the big tablet she held firmly to her chest throughout, directing the shoot. The theme was bohemian and simple, yet sophisticated and Gigi, an award winning - London based photographer had a lot of ideas that it seemed like they wouldn't exhaust them in just one session.

It all started out as fun and exciting, but after two hours of makeup, changing into and out of costumes which were mostly designer leather pants, oversized jackets and boots, standing still and changing positions as instructed by Gigi, Simi was  feeling exhausted. When it was all over, there was satisfaction in her weak body. She had been looking forward to it for some days.

She went back into the dressing room for the last time to get into her original clothes while Ada and Gigi were in the corner close to the giant white backdrop, talking about the outcome of the shoot.

Feeling a little better by the time she was done changing, she stepped out of her dressing room which was now empty unlike before when a lot of people were up and down working on her; her clothes, her hair or her face, not to mention the side interviews and pictures. Ada was still talking with Gigi, so she found her way to the well-lighted hallway of the studio which looked more or less like an art gallery. It was small but well equipped with beautifully and artfully selected frames of photographs hanging on every side of the walls in arranged layouts and while Simi walked slowly to have an eyeful of the photos, her phone vibrated in her shoulder purse. To her surprise, it was Tiara. Her eyes lit up.

"Oh my God is that you Tee?" She picked the call immediately in a high pitched whisper.

"I know right. I'm sorry I've been so MiA. How are you doing Simi?" Tiara's cheery voice cut into Simi's ears.

"I'm doing well. What about you? Ada told me you were on a vacation in Dubai. But she didn't say you were back."

"Yeah I arrived two nights ago. She doesn't know yet. I've been wanting to call you for some time you know."

"And you have no idea how good it is to hear from you. How's Aunty?" It was "super good" because they hadn't really stayed in touch since she got back from Ibadan, and because she had least expected it .

"She's fine too. She's just been hurrying me with the wedding plannings since the engagement and —"

"Yes about that, I heard about your engagement. Congratulations on that again."

"Thanks dear. It's just that ever since a ll my mum talks about is the marriage, picking a good date, buying a dress, planning a wedding and all."

Pacing mindlessly up and down in the hallway/gallery, Simi had an instantaneous flashback of Tiara as  chief bridesmaid at a wedding when she stayed at her house some months ago. "No pressure Tee. I'm sure can handle it. The date, have you picked a date yet?"

"No. Not yet but it's going to be in May."

"May?"

"Don't worry you're on my VIP guest list 'cos I'd really love for you to be there Simi — Also, I'd love for you to come perform at the wedding. If that's not going to be too much. Wanted to know what you feel about it before I talk to Ada."

Simi's eyes widened and she stopped pacing. "Oh wow. Really? Too much? Not at all. I'd ... I'd really love that."

"Great. I was hoping you'd say just that." She could hear the excitement in Tiara's voice. "And don't worry, I'm paying for everything it takes to get you and your full squad here. To Ibadan."