Sheri and Faith have had a long day; they cannot wait to lay in each other’s arms.
It’s difficult; pretending to the world, meanwhile, you can’t wait till you get home, to breathe, to release yourself from the burden of the shadow you are wearing.
Sheri interns in a fashion school. Her dream is to end up like Zizi Cardow. She wants to design and create clothes that make people appreciative of their bodies. She is strong and tough. The tougher of the two.
Faith is a writer. She wants to tell stories. She knows that you can write secrets in a book and no one would find out. The warmer of the two.
They found out that they were in love during a sleepover when they were in college.
“You dance really nicely Faith; maybe you should teach me. I’d like to know how to make my waist roll like a hamster wheel.”
That was the first time Sheri spoke to Faith. She had watched her dance for hours.
Faith laughed so loudly when Sheri spoke to her. She didn’t expect her dancing to win her a fan.
“My name is Sherifat Babatunde, but my friends call me Sheri. You?”
“I am Faith Anini, my friends call me Fifi.”
Sherifat teased about the name Fifi. Faith teased about calling her ‘fat’ instead of Sheri.
They laughed, while walking into the sorority house, to lay down their sleeping bags.
“If you don’t want Santorini, where else do you propose we get married?”
“Honk Kong?! What is so fantastic and romantic about Hong Kong?”
Faith went on and on about how Hong Kong was not the best place to get married, and about if the laws would allow it.
Sheri then said, “Our love is more than what any law can allow or dissallow.”
This made Faith cry.
She had figured that their love could never bloom because of how different it was. She wept because she always thought that you should only marry the person you fall in love with.
Hers was Sheri.
“Let’s promise ourselves that no matter what happens, no matter the kind of hate we receive, no matter the pressure put on us to conform, we will not be broken down. We will never let them break us apart. We will not stop loving each other’s existence. And if we are ever separated, do not forget our hidden conversations. The times we lay down beside each other admiring each other’s beauty. Getting familiar with each other’s curves, then burying ourselves in it. Never let go of this promise Faith”
‘I’ll never let go Sheri, I’ll never let go’.
About the Writer
Stephanie Chizoba Odili
Country of origin: Nigeria
Twitter handle: @stephanieodili
Bio: I am a novelist, poet, journalistand activist with major interests in women empowerment, gender equality, nation building and humanity. I have good communication, listening, and team working skills. I am also very timely, effective, efficient and hardworking. My mission is to cause significant and positive change in the perception of Nigeria and Africa in the world through my writings and speaking. To make a significant difference in journalism, literature, governance, activism, and charity.Genre: Fiction