You're the one I Dream of
They rode through the countryside of the border tribe. Attuma hadn’t ever ventured this part of Wakanda, but was astonished; with how wide open, the fields and meadows. It reminded him of the ocean, and the massively of it. They came into the land owned by Okoye, with the huge beast like Mbandi, roaming in herds.
Finally, they came up to her house. She helped herself down, just as he parked the motorcycle; and shut off the engine. She felt the dizziness and the headache, but she moved towards her home, with an unsteady gait. Attuma walked along side her, giving her the freedom she had requested. They went up the steps, him behind her, unless she stumbled backwards, he would be there to catch her.
“Thank you for your assistance,” she turned to face him, as she stood on the top step, and he on the second one, giving the appearance of them being the same height. He tilted his head to side and stared her in the eyes.
“You’re welcome, Okoye,” he spoke without feelings. “I will leave you now, good day.” He turned and walked away, his heart in pain. How do you help someone, who refuses the help?
She watched him walk away, and felt a pain of lost. She turned to go inside, when the dizziness became overwhelming, and she could barely balance herself. The headache had passed being an ache, and now felt as if her head would explode. She heard his bike start up, and him riding off, as she turned to call him.
“Attuma,” she screamed, making one step towards the end of her porch. “Attuma.” She slumps to the ground, half on the porch, and her other half on the second step.
She was almost unconscious, when she heard the footsteps approaching in high speed, she could hardly detect when they hit the ground, or rose off it. Suddenly, she felt herself being lifted up into the air, and brought down into his arms. She stared into his face, her darling Attuma; had come back for her. She passed out.
Sometime later, she had no idea how long she was out. She woke to see Attuma sitting in a chair near her, as she laid on her sofa, in the front room. He had his face buried in his hands, leaning over. She didn’t make an attempt to get up, as she could feel the throbbing of the headache present.
“Attuma,” she said; her voice just above a whisper. His head raised up, staring at her. She could see fatigue evident in his eyes.
“You’re woke?” His voice, with a hint of disquieting. “I would’ve place you in your bed; but I have no idea which is your room. You scared the life out of me.”
“You heard me?” She asked, surprised he had.
“Yes, I’m a Talokanil; remember?” He reminded her.
“Yes, and there is why you came to me so fast,” she recalled hearing his footsteps coming towards her.
“Now, that you are awake, let me take you to your room, and put you to bed.” He bent down and picked her up, not taking no for an answer. She guided him to her room. He sat her on the bed and pulled back the covers and laid her down, then placing the covers over her. “Now, where is your medicine?” She stared at him blankly. He stared back, waiting for her answer.
“In that drawer,” she told him. He opened the drawer and searched for her prescribed bottle, but only found something over the counter.
“I don’t see it,” he said holding the botyle, and searching.
“That’s it in your hand,” she informed him. He looked at it then her.
“You said you had medicine, like what a doctor would give you, and this is not it,” he put it back and closed the drawer. He chuckled, shaking his head, then realizing something.
“You lied to me, so I wouldn’t take you to Shuri.” She stared at him. He turned away from her, and by the way his body heaved, she knew he was angry at her. No, more like pissed. She had truly worked his nerves the majority of the day. “Is your head still hurting?” She was bewildered by his question.
“Yes, it feels like it will explode soon,” she replied. He slowly turned to her, and came to sit next to her.
“Since you don’t have any medicine that will relieve it,” he said. “I will do it the Talokanil way.”
“What?” She says, unsure she wanted him doing anything from Talokan.
“You have nothing to fear, Guerrero,” (Warrior). He assured her. “It’s what I did last night, to help you rest. But it’s not a cure, Okoye, that is something only Shuri is able to assist you.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea, it knocked me out,” she protested.
“Tumen Chaac sake,” (By Chaac sake) he looked at her. “You are the most exasperating woman I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. You’re head is splitting in pain, and you won’t allow me to help, giving you some relief?” He sat there for a few moments, deciding the best course of action. This has to be precise and effective. If he was still military; what would he do, to aid one of his injured warriors? And with the most decisive choice, he began to sing.
“What? Wait, Attuma wa--.” She went into a trance; he pulled her from the bed, and sat her on his lap. He pressed her head against chest, near his heart. She could hear it beating, and got caught up in the tempo. Her eyes grew heavy; and her body felt weightless. Her eyes slowly shut, and she fell into the deep.
He held her for quite a long time, his heart loaded down with concern. She scared him; hearing her shrill out his name, then turning back and seeing her fallen. He thinks she hasn’t been truthful; to why she wanted to come back, after being away so long.
It may have something to do with her health. He didn’t even want to think about the worst scenario. No, she just returned, he wasn’t going to let her go so easily. She may hate him afterwards, but Shuri needs to know, so she can take care of her.
He rather he loses her in her anger towards him, than death. At least, it would afford him opportunities to see her in passing, or afar. Her being gone, and not having the chance of seeing her, was not an option he wanted to explore. He laid her in the bed covering her, then went to make the call.
“Attuma,” Shuri was surprised to get his called, but also noted; these are the same beads, Okoye used to call her. “What a pleasure, what can I do for you?”
“Hello Princess,” he addressed her. “Nothing for me, but Okoye on the other hand.” Shuri became alarmed.
“What is wrong with Okoye?” She nearly yelled.
“I have no idea, Shuri,” he says. “That’s where you come in. You need to find away to get her to open up to you, and find out what is going on with her. She’s ill, Shuri, but keeping it to herself. I fear it may be so bad, it prompted her to come home.” Shuri listened to everything he said, she can’t take another lost.
“Where is she now?” She asked.
“She’s here in her bed, I brought her home,” he informed her.
“Attuma, I’m on my way. Can you please stay there until I get there?” Shuri was distraught.
“Don’t worry, I’m not going anywhere,” he replied. She sighed in relief, and hung up. Attuma went back to Okoye, and sat on the bed, lightly brushing her cheek, with the back of his hand. “What are you hiding, my Warrior?”