You're the one I Dream of
Shuri walked into the throne room, looking to speak with M'Baku about this stupid plan he had place Okoye in. Pranking his best friend? She wasn’t believing it for a moment. He was up to something and she planned to find out what was his endgame, because this could really turn for the worst. The last thing she wanted was Okoye hurt and leaving again. This time, she will probably never return.
“King M'Baku,” he turned from the window he had been staring out, looking over Wakanda.
“Yes, Princess,” he walked over to the throne and took a seat, then gestured for her to come and sit next to him. She did. “Now, what is it, I can do for you?”
“You can call this whole outrageous skim off,” she told him. “One of them is going to get hurt with this prank. And why would you want to hurt Attuma in this manner?”
“If you will have some faith in me as you did when you handed me the throne,” he reminded her. “What? You can trust me with a kingdom, but you can’t with two lonely hearts?” She ponders the words he just spoke.
“Well,” she replied. “When you put it that way.”
“Trust me,” he told her. “This is the only way. I care deeply for Attuma, Okoye and I bantered back and forth for years, but we had a mutual respect for one another. I know what I’m doing. Sit back and allow this to play out. You will see.”
“Did you know she spent the night at his place?” She asked. He almost choked on his saliva he was about to swallow.
“What?” He nearly yelled out.
Some time later, after a nice hot shower, and grooming. Okoye reappeared, holding her belongings in her arms. He had heard her coming out of the bathroom, and got up to set the food on the table. “I want to thank you, but I really need to get back.”
“Okoye,” he looked at her, stubborn came to mind. “Nje humor kum, kwaye lula ingqondo yam. Nceda, utye into ngaphambi kokuba uhambe. Ungandenzela oko?” (Just humor me, and ease my mind. Please, eat something before you leave. Can you do that for me?) He walked up to her, and took her things from her hands, went and got a bag, placed them inside it, then handed the bag to her.
“Uthetha ulwimi lwethu?” (You speak our language?). She was astonished.
“Yes, I do,” he replied. “M’Baku has helped me refine my pronunciation. As I have him with my language. And as you can see, I have mastered the language of the colonizers.”
“Ma'alob, Attuma,” (Well, Attuma) she began. “a Chuup yéetel sorpresas.” (You are full of surprises.) Prank or no prank, he was starting to get to her. Once she goes home, she will need to speak with M'Baku and regroup.
He sat across from her, and made her a plate, then poured her some beverage. And he did the same for himself. They sat quietly eating, the clicking of their flatware, scraping the plates; were the only sounds. There were frequent glances across the table, when they thought the other wasn’t looking. Okoye had a question, she wanted to ask. But not sure how it would be received. Yet, they were eating at her, and she needed to know.
“I don’t want to overstep the boundaries,” she began. “But these clothes, how did you get them, and know my size?” “Do you do this for all the women, who you allow to spend the night, for whatever reason?” She was being sarcastic.
Up until now, there encounters had been cordial. But Attuma, is who he is; he can be that nice guy, but then he can be the one on the bridge. She just insulted him, and those beautiful women; he had the pleasure to share a enjoyable night.
“Any woman, who I had the honor of spending a night with, is always special to me. And no, one will disgrace them to me.” He took a drink from his cup, trying to appease his emotions. He looked over towards her, hurt from her demeaning of him; and the ladies who he shared amazing moments. She sat staring back at him. She had been rude towards him; and all he has done, was take care of her.
“Much acepte in disculpas, bin grosero in nu'ukulil. Ma' a sido asab u uts yéetel generoso; ka ma' merecía le je'elo',” (Please accept my apology, it was rude of me. You have been nothing but kind and generous; and didn't deserve that.) She was feeling low at the moment, but why? This is a prank, and she wants him to form feelings; so, he could feel as humiliated as she had when the Queen stripped her of her rank. But this revenge thing doesn’t feel right.
“No, Okoye, I don’t,” he confirmed. “I have learned to be prepared with my over night guests,” he explained. She didn’t want to go any further, knowing others had been here with him. But not as she had been. They knew what it was like, to share the bed with him, and himself.
“I see,” she took a bite of food. He stared at her.
“When did you realize who I was?” He asked.
“I didn’t know you were the same person I had the date with, until you said my name.” She said to him.
“But you know who I am now,” he stared at her.
“Yes, Attuma,” she stared at him. “Yes, I know you are the one on the bridge, and the ship.”
“And now, it changes everything,” he looked down at his plate.
“What? No, it changes nothing” she informed him. She still has to see this prank through. Or does she?
“Really?” He was slightly stunned.
“Really, that was then, and this is now,” she stared him in the eyes for a second, then turned away.
How is she going to do this? He’s not the same person she encountered those many years ago, or was he? Maybe the fierce display was because of who he was, a warrior. Now he is a civilian in Wakanda. She turned back to gaze in his eyes. She wanted something from him, but what? No, she needed something. He must have read her eyes, because he had left his seat; came to her and pulled her up into his arms. Her whole body trembled in anticipation, as he leaned in, his hot breath caressing her ear.
“As much as I want to,” he confessed. “Now is not right, and you should go.” He pulled away and turned from her, leaving her speechless. She stood there for a moment, thinking he would change his mind, and return to her and give her what she desired; him. But he didn’t.
She got her bag and left, without saying a word. She called Mbandi, who came immediately. She mounted her, and glanced back to see if he had come out to see her off. But saw he hadn’t. She gave her pet the command, and rode away with great haste. Attuma stepped out and watched her, as she left and never looking back. He needed to speak with his friend, M’Baku; and hoped he hadn’t lost her.