Bibironke “Bibi” Johnson
Bibi's phone pinged, and her flight reminder notification popped on her screen. She only had two hours to get ready for the airport.
Freshman* year - 2008
Bibi observed Malik's restless pacing in his dorm room, her phone screen providing a small window into his world. They were halfway through their weekly video call, and Bibi had spent most of their conversation trying, but failing, to soothe Malik's nerves.
"Malik, you are going to pace a hole into your floor. I need you to re-laxxx, babe."
"B, this is the first party of the semester, the one I've been planning since last semester. You understand, right? I can't afford to make any mistakes." Malik's voice was determined, and his focus on the party was resolute.
As president of the BSU chapter at Cornell, he and the BSU squad coordinated Black Winter Ball (BWB) logistics from start to finish. Malik's parties were open to everyone, but BWB always drew the Black, African, and Caribbean crowds from Philly, Boston, Jersey, and PA.
"I hear you, MK, but your anxiety levels are through the roof, and we need to bring them down. When are your boys getting in?"
"Their Amtrak from Boston arrives in less than an hour. I'm heading to the station to pick them up in twenty minutes."
"Good. Amir and Duke know how to get you to chill out."
Bibi's phone pinged, and her flight reminder notification popped on her screen. She only had two hours to get ready for the airport.
"B, I wish you were here, man. Walking into BWB with you on my arm would have been quite the spectacle. You know you’re the OG head turner in our circles."
Bibi blushed and blew a kiss into the camera. Malik was a smooth-talker; always had been, always will be.
"I wish I was there too, but Duke and Amir will make even better eye candies. Have you seen the way the girls act when you three walk into events? I would have probably spent the evening swatting them away instead of dancing and sipping champs."
"Champs? Bibi, we've talked about this. Please. Champagne or nothing else."
"There's that King bougieness that I know and love,"
Bibi spied the time on her phone.
"Listen, babe, I have to run to a freshman seminar. Text me updates, and send my love to your boys."
"Will do. Bye, B." Malik returned her kiss and disappeared from her screen with a swoosh.
It was true that Bibi had to cancel her appearance at BWB after her department chair scheduled a surprise meet and greet with Bakari Addo, a prolific poet and stage actor.
When she told Malik about the event, he whooped, hollered, and impressed upon her the importance of getting Bakari to sign her copy of Immigrant Tales.
"I will miss your presence at the party, but meeting Bakari is massive for you. You need to memorize his lines, not down shots with AKAs* and football players." Malik had said over an after-hours video call.
"Malik, I love you for being so understanding."
"B, I got you. There will be other parties, but when will you meet Bakari Addo again? Bring it home, Ms Johnson."
And Bibi was ready to bring it home until a last-minute cancellation email from Bakari topped her weekend plans. Bibi felt a pang of disappointment after she read the email. She had been looking forward to meeting the renowned poet, but the prospect of surprising Malik chased away feelings of disappointment.
Bibi also kept her travel plans a secret from Duke and Amir, not because she didn't trust them to lock up, but because they were Malik's boys, and boys will always be boys.
As she carefully packed her party heels, weekend dresses, makeup bag, and a bottle of Glenfiddich* 18 into her carry-on, Bibi couldn't help but imagine Malik's reaction when he saw his initials on the back of the bottle.
The thrill of the surprise was palpable, and Bibi was certain it was going to be a memorable weekend.
GLOSSARY
Freshman year: In university, it is the first year of a bachelor's degree program and the starting point for students entering university
AKA: Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority is a historically African-American sorority.
Glenfiddich: Is a Speyside single malt Scotch whisky brand
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