Halimah and the salty meal

It's been three years since I started my marriage with my beautiful and adorable wife, Halimah. Our love story clicked like a snap of fingers right from undergraduates when we met at the college park, trying to hustle for transportation out of the school after a tiring lecture.

"Good evening, can I stay in your front?" I summoned the courage to approach the dark-skinned lady with a hijab on. This was a modified way of 'shunting' as it was called on campus. I could not imagine myself enduring the seemingly endless queue that waited to board the school bus. The lady I approached looked at me from head to toe as though sizing me up. I knew I wasn't bad-looking, but at that instance, a cold shiver ran through my spine. The lady looked away, and just as I turned to seek another spot to enter, a sweet and melodious voice called out to me.

"You can stay here if it's fine with you." A lady two steps behind the one I approached initially said. Her voice was soothing enough, and when my eyes met hers, a lot of 'chemistry' went undertone. Her skin was fresh, without blemishes, and light-skinned, and her dimples when she smiled swept me off my feet. Thankfully, I retained my balance and quietly fixed myself right in front of her in the queue.

"I'm grateful; this means a lot to me."

"Oh, don't mention; I hope you're good."

"I never felt better with your kind gesture."

"It's a pleasure; I'm flattered, though."

"It's the truth; I'm Malik, by the way."

"Halimah"

"You are my sweet saving angel."

"Careful not to offend the gods with your flattering," Halimah whispered with a chuckle.

"Right now, I'll fight the heavens to defend you." I teased.

"Maybe you should start with the sister that washed you just now," Halimah said jokingly.

"Ah, you got me there; she almost fried me with her eyes; it was as though there was fire in her eyes."

"Let her catch you; I deny you in advance." Halimah teased further.

Halimah and I exchanged contacts. I got to know she was a year my junior in college, though in a different department. Our friendship soon became like a lovebird's. I enjoyed every moment with Halimah, and right after we both were done with college, we wasted no time in tying the knot as a couple. Our marriage of three years has been full of humor and fun.

---

I came back home with Rekkiyah around 11 a.m. on Saturday, the 1st of April, after I took an excuse to pick up an item at a store. Halimah's expression immediately switched, like an abrupt interruption of the epileptic power supply in Nigeria. Her blazing eyes fixed on my hands, locked with Rekkiyah's.

"Baby, I'm home; meet Rekkiyah." I said to my wife, Halimah. "And Rekkiyah, meet my wife, Halimah, your senior wife." I chuckled and led Rekkiyah quickly to the sofa, away from Halimah, who still stood shocked at the entrance. I knew Halimah was shocked beyond measure. She had always prided herself on being a strong woman, but the news I just broke to her hit her differently. She didn't see it coming; she didn't expect me to have a second wife. Rekkiyah had an intimidating look with a little flesh here and there, and her elegance was top-notch.

Rekkiyah and I talked in low tones and laughed occasionally. Halimah had gone to the kitchen to tidy up the meal she had initially prepared for the two of us. I noticed her countenance was down; she moved like a leaf blown by the wind. Halimah served brunch, and the three of us sat at the table to eat. Immediately, I took a spoonful of the rice from the dish and spat out the contents of my mouth. It felt as if I had just been served only salt. Rekkiyah tasted hers, and she ran to the kitchen to spit out the food in her mouth.

"Are you okay, darling husband?" Halimah said as she smiled mischievously at me. Spontaneously, I took a spoon and tasted the meal she served herself. Surprisingly, Halimah's food was sweet and lacked the excess salt I had just tasted in mine.

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"Nice one, my love, well played. Simple April's fool, you wanted to give me high blood pressure from excess salt." I said it with a clap of hands as I resumed my seat. Rekkiyah walked in at that instance. "Rekkiyah is my cousin, and it was a prank we played on you." I continued, shaking my head. I watched Halimah as she slowly processed the information. She tapped her fingers on the table before she responded.

"You mean this is Rekkiyah from Zaria you told me about sometime ago? She looked different. I'm sorry. Oh my gosh. Malik, your cane is in the cooler. I'm sorry for the salty meal. I was upset!" Halimah apologized as she covered her face with her left palm.

"It's fine, dear." Rekkiyah said as she went over to hug Halimah. We all burst into laughter as the atmosphere relaxed. "At least Malik knows better than to bring home another woman as a wife." She continued as we laughed off the moment.