You're the one I Dream of
“Ma'alo'ob k'iin amigo áanteni', yaan wáaj ba'ax a gustaría a'al ti' teen.” (Good morning my friend, is there something you would like to tell me?) M'Baku said to him after answering his call.
“Yes, a lot, or I wouldn’t be calling,” M’Baku could hear, Attuma was clearly upset about something. “Je'el u yaantal sa'atal in oportunidad yéetel le ko'olelo' in náayo'ob.” (I may have lost my chance, with the woman of my dreams.)
Okoye urged Mbandi onward, pushing her harder than she had ever. Her frustration being taken out on her beloved pet. How could she be so foolish? She thought. The tears forming in her eyes, and wiped away, by the wind in her face. She saw how he had just assumed she would shower, and then have breakfast with him. Clothes and toiletries placed at the foot of her bed.
He knew she was the one, who he fought on both the bridge, and the ship. And then, while Wakanda was under attacked, by his people. He searched for her, and then finding her, only to taunted her. Just as he had, few moments ago.
He saw she wanted him, because he knew she had saw him swimming in the nude. He knew she purposely came back to see him. He knew all the time playing her for a fool. Yes, he knew, when they met at the restaurant, and played like he didn’t know her. M'Baku, she thought. Who is he really pranking?
She relinquished her thoughts, realizing she had worked Mbandi into exhaustion. She brought her to a halt, dismounted and led her to a stream, allowing her to drink of the cooling waters. It was so quiet and peaceful, she sat down. The sound of the water seemed placid, as it flowed by. And for some reason, she was feeling overly tired, and becoming integrated into her surroundings. She laid down in the soft grass, listening to nature churning away; and the lapping of Mbandi. She surrendered to the serenity, and fell into a deep slumber.
“There is something I never revealed to you,” Attuma started. M'Baku listened. “That night I fought Okoye on the bridge, she became an obsession. She haunted my dreams, whenever I slept. I thought killing her would vanquish her from my mind.” M'Baku made a grunting sound.
“You wanted to kill her?” He asked, troubled with how much this may be residual of the past.
“Yes, at that time it was pure torment. She fought me to a draw,” he confessed. “Only because Namora tossed one of our water bombs to me, and I hip checked to Okoye; and she tried to slice it and was thrown into the water. Who knows how it would have ended, if not for the intervention.
“So, it was humiliation, that the dreams infiltrated your sleep?” M'Baku analyzing.
“But she did defeat me on the ship, with this enhanced suit,” he informed him.
“Attuma, you know who she is, and with what you’re telling me, you have some leftover resentment against her.” He stated. “And with that, I can’t see myself encouraging this culmination.”
“Permitir in táanil, etail áanteni,” (Allow me to continue, my friend.) Attuma requested of him.
“Ewe, nceda uqhubeke, kwaye ngaphandle kokuxolisa kwam,” (Yes, please continue, and except my apology.) M'Baku expressed.
“Thank you,” he replied. “With the ending of the battle between our nations, and the start of the negotiations of the treaty. I needed to seek her out, and have a sit down; so, we could clear the air, and move forward with a friendship, or something more.”
“So, your dreams were no longer haunting?” M'Baku inquired.
“The reason I said they were haunting is because, how can I say this?” He paused to explain. “They were dreams of us together, like really together.”
“Alright, alright, I get it,” M'Baku covered his ears, trying to block out anymore being said, and expelling the thought of what they were doing in his dreams.
“Me being a Talokan General, mating with a Wakandan General, was completely out of place. And for me, to even have those thoughts; was a betrayal to my ruler and people.” Attuma explains the seriousness of back then.
“I see now,” he says. “Killing her, would in your mind; eliminate having those thoughts for who you viewed as your enemy.”
“Yes, exactly,” he confirmed. “Except there was a bigger problem with that thought.” Attuma looked at bird flying by.
“What was that, Attuma?” He asked.
“Those dreams weren’t in my head for no reason,” he told him. “And definitely not going to solve it with her death. Not with what I didn’t want to admit in my heart. I had fallen in love with her, and that’s why I felt I was betraying Talokan; for loving her.” M'Baku had no words with his revelation.
Okoye felt the gentle touch of his hand, resting on the side of her face. She stared up into dark weary eyes, bathing in concern. His lips wet and inviting, were saying something inaudible. He was kneeling by side her. It was him, the one she had dreamt of, all these years. Attuma, her phantom lover.
“Okoye,” he called to her multiple times, she just stared at him with these glazed over eyes. He had came along on his way to the city, and seeing Mbandi standing nearby, grazing in the grass. He left his motorcycle, and search to see where Okoye was located. There he saw her, laying on the ground; dead sleep, with the appearance of last night. He became greatly concerned.
“Attuma?” She slowly rose up, but fell back, from dizziness and a headache.
“That’s it, you’re going to see Shuri,” he grabbed her up into his arms, with failed resistance. He placed her in front of him on his bike, and sped off to the lab. Mbandi trotted along for a distance, then trailed off; heading in the direction of home.
“Attuma no,” she pleaded. “Take me home, I have medicine I can take.” Her hand touching the side of his face, he looked into her pitiful eyes. His heart broke, seeing his Wakandan Warrior, so fragile. He stopped the bike.
“So, I was right,” he started in on her. “Last night is not the first time, is it?” She looked up to him, tears filled eyes.
“No,” her voice soft, she looked away with her confirmation, he was right. He stared at her for a long time.
“Direct me to your home,” he told her. “When we get there, you’re going straight to bed, after you have taken your medication. Are we clear?” She nodded, conceding to his will.
“Can we keep this between us?” She asked. He stared out to the wide space, pondering the repercussions with not allowing those who love her know. She is ill, and he has no idea at what extent. This is not a promise he can make.
“No, Okoye,” he told her. “You have people who have missed your presence for so long. And now you come back ill; and no one knows, something is wrong. I can’t do that to them.”
“Fine, Attuma. I don’t need you to stay, and watch over me,” she snapped. “I have been caring for myself all these years.”
“I will take you home, and I won’t stand over you. As you wish,” he replied. “But just remember, with all this independence going on, and far away from your loved ones, Okoye. Tell me, how did it work out for you?” He started up his bike, and drove her home without another word. Only listening to her directing him, to where she lived.