You're the one I Dream of
She felt her slipping out of darkness; her eyes opened to a dimly lit room. She had no idea who’s, and she was laying in a unfamiliar bed, as well. She made an attempt to rise up, but found she was not only dizzy, but she had this excruciating headache.
“Whoa,” A voice called to her, as he came into view. It was Attuma, and she figured, she wasn’t in her house, but his. She slightly raised the covers to check and see, if her clothing were still on. She heard him chuckle with this action.
“I am always a gentleman, Okoye,” he informed her. “I never take anything unless it’s offered. Even then I’m a gentle man.” The way he said it, and the way his eyes seduced hers, sent tremors up her thighs, and somewhere else.
“What happened?” She asked. He sat in a chair at the bedside.
“I’m not sure. You couldn’t catch your breath for some reason, and passed out,” he explained. “I caught you before you hit the ground.” She tried to recall what led up to her gasping for air. Then her memory filled her mind. Attuma and her naked blue guy are the same person. Now she could never look at him the same way. Then a thought passed through her mind. Did he carry her their while he was nude? She felt like another hyperventilating coming on.
“I better go,” she made another attempt to get up, but the same dizziness, and headache endured. “Damn, my head is killing me.”
“Probably the lack of air,” he suggested.
“You think?” She snorted. “Do you have anything around here to relieve this pain?”
“We don’t get headaches, in Talokan, so we have no need for the medication. But we do feel pain, and I can help if you allow me,” he told her. Yes, she thought, anything to release her from this agony.
“Do it, please,” she was nearly in tears. He quickly moved next to her on the bed, lifting the covers off her, he pulled her into his lap.
She was in too much misery to fight his actions. He pressed her head against his chest, she could hear his heart beat and its rhythm, as a heavy vibration emanated from it. He was humming. A siren song. She felt herself falling into a tranquil state of mind. All she knew, she was in peace, as she went into a heavy slumber.
Attuma held her in his arms, moments after she had gone to sleep; relaxed and resting. He had subdued her with his song. He stood up and laid her on the bed, her head on the pillow. He stared down at her, tracing every aspect of her face. He turned away making a few steps from her, he didn’t want to go to far less she tried to get up again. He feared whatever happened out there, was nothing physical, but an emotional crisis.
He allowed a small breath escape, as his mind traveled back many years pass. He rode in on a whale, ordered to kill a scientist, who the Wakandans failed to execute. The water bomb tossed under the car, sent it and the motorcycle next to it in the air. The Princess was knocked unconscious, and the one in the car, uninjured exited the vehicle, and checked on the Princess.
He leaped from the water beast, and unto the bridge, facing the warrior; who threatened to kill them if they came any closer. He watched her take down three of his best, and fought him with great intensity. It even with a dislocated shoulder, she popped it back in place; and resume their engagement.
He recalled searching for her when Talokan attacked Wakanda, he often wondered why? Was it to finish what they started on the bridge, or was it more. And then she spoke his mother tongue to him, before defeating and kicking him off the ship. He had to admire her finesse, a true warrior.
All these years in Wakanda, he speculated about where she had gone, he only casually inquired. But his wondering had by chance, come to it’s conclusion. He turned to look upon her, the warrior; who defeated him in battle, and now in his heart. But he had one fear, what if she ever recognizes him? Where would that leave them?
Shuri had gone to bed, after Okoye left so abruptly. She had no idea what was going on with her, or what it was; she had said to upset her. She had waited as long as she could, before sleep set in. She woke in the middle of the night, and went to check on her.
She eased opened Okoye’s bedroom door, and took a peek in. But became alarmed; when she saw her bed hadn’t been slept in. Shuri checked outside to see if Mbandi had returned. She heard if something happens to their master, animals will return home. But there was no sign of her either. So, Mbandi is with Okoye. Which means; she may be alright, or she’s hurt, and she doesn’t want to leave Okoye’s side.
“Where are you Okoye?” She ran into her room, and got her kimoyo bracelet; then called her. That’s when she heard hers beeping. She followed where it was coming from. Okoye’s purse, where she had left it. “Okoye, where did you go?” She decided to go searching for her, as the Black Panther.
Okoye woke up stretching from a very relaxed and peaceful sleep; one she hadn’t had in years. She laid in bed cozying up into the fluff pillow, when suddenly, it hit her. She wasn’t in her bed, nor her room. She set up, absence of the dizziness, or headache. She experienced the night before. Night before? It’s morning? Yes, it is. The sun was brightening up the room.
She began to recall what had occurred; that brought her to this moment in time. Her getting home from spending time with Attuma, her slight altercation with Shuri. Then her ride on Mbandi to clear her head and seeing him, the naked blue man. Whom surprise, happens to be Attuma. Which she discovered, when he called her by name; after he acknowledge her hiding behind a tree. Then she couldn’t breath, and blacked out, to waking in this strange room. The dizziness and painful headache, and him humming. Yes, him doing that siren thing, and putting her back to sleep.
She could here him moving about in the other part of the house. She sat up, and that’s when she noticed at the end of the bed, neatly folded, was a bath towel with a washcloth, soap, a toothbrush and paste; and change of clothing. What is he thinking? She sniffed the air, smelling an aroma flowing into the room. It was enticing, causing her stomach to rumble. So, he can cook. Then her mind rushed to another problem. Shuri!
Oh, she is probably frantic with worry, and her bracelet is at home. She quickly got out of the bed, and walked in the direction of his movement. She peered around the corner, and witness him in the kitchen preparing breakfast. She had to turn away, to keep from laughing; seeing him in a apron.
“I see you are awake,” he said. Damn, how did he know she was there, she thought. “I set out some things for you to freshen up, and change of clothing; if you choose.”
“I want need to, I’ll be on my way,” she informed him.
“I just thought, you would want to eat; before you make your journey home. Get some nourishment in you, to replenish your strength.” He was more suggesting.
“No, I can shower and eat once I get home,” she told him. He sighed, looking at her.
“You passed out last night for some reason, and I really think you need to eat before you go,” he was adamant.
“I do appreciate your help and concern, but I assure you; I’m fine,” she tried to convince him, but he wasn’t buying it.
“Okoye,” his voice was soft with some concern in it. “You had a full-blown panic, and I doubt this is the first time. You were dizzy and complaining of a bad headache when you woke.”
“And that’s when you did your siren thing on me,” she had a hint of irritation in her voice, upon saying this. He stared at her for a moment.
“Yes, I did,” he made a step towards her. “The siren song, can be used for many things. And yes, we can do it on each other. I used it to calm you down, and help you rest through the night. Did it work?”
“Yes, it did,” she admitted. “But still, I need to go. Shuri will be frantic, that I didn’t come home last night.”
“I do possess, kimoyo beads, Okoye,” he informed her. Well, he solved that problem. “You can call her now. And let her know you are well.” He went to a counter and picked his bracelet up. Then he came back, and handed them to her.
“Thank you,” she said, then went into the room to contact her.
“Okoye,” Shuri yelled. “Where are you? I went out looking for you for hours.”
“I’m sorry for having you so worried, I will explain when I get home,” she told her.
“And when will that be? Wait, who’s beads are you using?” Shuri realizing; her beads were there, in her purse.
“I will explain when I get home,” she repeated. Then hung up.
“Alright, Okoye,” Shuri laughed. “Who were you with?” Then she thought; no, it couldn’t be.
“Thank you again,” she said. “I really must go.”
“You can sit and eat something, before you go,” he looked at her. She tried to find some reason, but none came to mind. And the growling of her stomach wasn’t helping.
“Alright, if you insist,” she says to him.
“I don’t insist, but I would feel better if you ate first,” he informed her.
“Alright, could you direct me to your bathroom?” She asked. He passed by her and stood at the hall entrance, pointing to a specific door. “Thank you.” He smiled, watching as she went into the room, gathering up the things he had sat out for her. Then make her way down the hall, to where he had directed her.
He exhaled, and sat at the table, shaking his head. He hopes after the shower; she would decide to stay, and eat before leaving. He was concerned, and wondered about her health, and wasn’t sure that was normal.