You're the one I Dream of
Shuri stood watching over Okoye, as she laid resting in her bed. She had given her something for her headache, and a sedative to calm her. Okoye refused to disclose the nature of her illness, only exaggerated reasons; on why she was so cruel to Attuma. Sending him away heart broken, and maybe out of her life forever. How can she allow the one who had guarded her all her life, ruin the only happiness that has come her way?
“Sorry Okoye, but you’re going to be as angry at me, as you are with Attuma,” she quietly closed her door shut. “Griot, I need you to do a scan on Okoye, leave nothing to chance. I need to know what my sista is concealing.”
“As you wish, Princess,” he replied, and commence piling up data on her.
“I’m coming in,” she told him. She made another call. “Hello Aneka, I need a favor from you.”
Attuma sped down the opened road, vacate of any other vehicles. Seething with angry, more than the pain he was enduring. He had allowed himself to be drawn into a plan, on hopes it would bring Okoye, and him together. She had haunted him for all these years, and when he discovered she was the same one watching him swim, it thrilled his heart, to have her finally home.
No, he didn’t recognize her at first, she had allowed her hair to grow out. Now he understood, the instant attraction to her, a somewhat stranger. She was his dream lover, and no disguise could mislead what is sculptured in the heart. But he was in love with the one on the bridge and ship. And the one who returned; wasn’t the same person, who left so many years ago. She was kind and courageous; ready to give her life to protect. This one is mean spirited and cruel, void of any affection.
Just the fact, she was willing to go through the prank of humiliating him. M’Baku assured him, she would never do such a thing. Well, she did; and yes, she completed her goal, like a good warrior would have. He could emphasize with what she felt; being demoted from general, and oust from her warrior status. And because this is the road she chose to go; it was enough for him to sever, having anything to do with her. He could never trust anything she said, or did ever again.
But how could he be so wrong? How could she pretend, so adequately; when he knew she wanted him to kiss her during the morning. And was visibly upset when he denied it, storming out of the house. Now he wonders, if that may have contributed to her passing out by the stream. She hadn’t made it that far from him.
No, that was real, and when they were in the park; watching the sunset, she was totally into him, relaxing next to him. How could anyone fake the vibes, between two people connecting on such a high frquency? At yet, she was able. Her revenge was so great, she accomplished what she set out to do. He shook his head, trying to clear; the hateful words she spewed at him. She said, she feels nothing for him, and there’s nothing there for him. Maybe it was the only true thing, coming from her.
He looked up and saw he had made it home. He sat on his motorcycle, staring at his house, but not really seeing it. He gripped onto the handle bars so tight, he almost crushed them between his powerful hands. These sensations were new to him. He has never experienced such strong emotions in his life; and they hurt like hell. His heart felt as if it had shattered into a million pieces. Is this what they mean, when they say; a broken heart? Because the definition is spot on.
He tried to do everything in his power, to disperse them from out of his body, mind, and soul. But he failed dramatically; they were too strong, and far too deep rooted. It would take an exorcism to dispel them out of his essence. But does he really want to lose something that fuel his very existence in Wakanda, the hopes and dreams? How can he move on from her? As furious he is with her, it’s a true fact, he’s still in loved with her.
“Ayo, I didn’t know you were coming too,” Shuri greeted the two at the door.
“After Aneka hung up with you, she called to tell me what’s going on,” she explained.
“Yeah, I should have call you too,” Shuri said. “She’s just as important to you as well.”
“What’s going on, Shuri?” Aneka asked.
“She seems to have caught something while outside Wakanda,” she didn’t want to betray Okoye’s privacy. “I’m going to the lab, and check out some things; and determine, what it is that’s ailing her.”
“Go, we will watch over her,” Aneka assured her.
“I gave her something for pain and a sedative, so she may be out until I return,” She informed them. “And as always, ladies; make yourselves at home.” Shuri left them and drove the land rover into the city, and to her lab. Hoping Griot had something she can start with.
Attuma came outside, after doing so meditating he had started doing a few years ago. It helped him find his center, and ground himself. He had hoped it would aid in him thinking about what Okoye said to him. Mainly the part about not caring for him, and that there is nothing there for him. Maybe she’s right, and maybe he should rethink things. His main reason for sticking around, was hoping she would return, and they could start a relationship. No matter what, they were so close to doing that. Could it had been his imagination; trying to make his dreams come true?
He can’t stay there any longer. He will miss M'Baku, who has been the best of friend. More like a brother, though he kind of went rough with this last scheme. He will go see him and let him know of his plans.
It’s time to return home, to his people, his kingdom, and his ruler. He’s been gone long enough, its been good mostly. Having to see her as they move along in their daily lives, will be too much for him. Leaving is the only option, until he can free himself of her. Freeing himself of her? Right never going to happen, a love like this, comes once in a lifetime. And it can’t be erased away so easily. He will make the arrangements, and leave this night.
“Griot, what do you have?” Shuri rushes into the lab, pulling up the screen with Okoye’s profile on it.
“As far as I was able to analyze, she is in perfect health.” He informed her.
“That’s strange,” she wondered. “Where did Okoye get, she was terminal?”
“There is one thing, Princess,” he continued. “She has a brain tumor, so small it was nearly undetected. It’s located in an area deemed inoperative.”
“But not for me,” she says, with confidence she could remove it. “Pull it up so I can get a closer look. I will not lose another person I love. Not on my watch.” She studied the pictures on the screen, trying to see which would be the best approach for surgical removable.
“Shuri,” Okoye cried out. Aneka and Ayo, looked at each. Aneka rushed down the hall, with Ayo behind her.
“Okoye,” she entered the room. “You alright?” Okoye stared at them both, stunned they were there and wondered where Shuri had gone off to.
“Hello my sister,” Ayo sat on the bed next to her.
“I’ve had better days,” she said, her voice close to being depleted of energy. “Where is Shuri?” Ayo looked to Aneka.
“She’s at the lab, trying to find a cure for a bug you picked up outside Wakanda.” Aneka informed her.
“Yes, and she asked us to come, while you slept,” Ayo added.
“Ayo, she didn’t ask you, she asked me, you tagged along,” Aneka corrected her. Ayo stared at her.
“Aneka, it’s not important,” she told her.
“It is important, to get the narrative straight; if the story is to be told,” Aneka insisted. Okoye tried not to laugh, being both weak, and sedated.
“You two, never fails, to bring enjoyment in a difficult time,” she smiled at her sisters.
“Difficult time?” Aneka looked at Ayo, then to Okoye, who could see by the expression on their faces, Shuri hadn’t disclosed the dire situation.
“What I mean is, this illness has taken its toll on me,” she was making an attempt, to ease their minds.
“Oh, I see, nasty stuff outside of Wakanda,” Aneka stated.
“It’s okay for a visit, but not anywhere I would want to live,” Ayo express, remembering the times she has had to go outside of Wakanda. “Sister, do you need anything?”
“No, I’m just so exhausted, dealing with this ailment,” she let out a yawn.
“You sure, you did call for Shuri,” Aneka reminded her.
“Oh that, no, I was wondering where she was, that’s all,” She started to drift off to sleep, with another yawn. Ayo made a gesture to Aneka, for them to leave the room; and allow her to rest. They quietly made their exit, as Ayo closed the door, and joined Aneka in the front room.
“What do you think of that?” Aneka was pondering their interaction with Okoye.
“I don’t know, Shuri did medicate her for pain, and sedated her,” Ayo took a seat, while Aneka began to pace.
“She seemed to be relieved, when we explained why we were here,” Aneka had observed.
“Yes, I noticed the startled face she gave us, when we enter her room.” Ayo recalling the visit. “And you are right, she did show some relief, like there was more to it than what’s being revealed.”
“She thought Shuri had told us, and why we are here with her,” they looked at each other. Aneka came to sit next to Ayo.
“Shuri asked us here, to watch while she slept,” Aneka surmised.
“And left out of here in haste,” Ayo added. “Aneka, what are they withholding?”
“Maybe there is more to this so called ‘bug’,” Aneka repositioned herself, staring ahead, and going into deep thought.
“Or maybe, more serious than they are letting on,” Ayo added.
M'Baku sat in his study behind his desk, reading a book. All pressing duties, meetings with the Elders, had been fulfilled. Now, he will relax until the next crisis rears it’s ugly head. A knock at the door caused him to slam the book closed, drop it on the desk, and glare in the direction of the intrusion on his alone time.
“Enter,” he yelled, hoping it’s nothing that will cause him to have to leave, the comfort of his room.
“My King, the general is here,” one of his guards announced.
“Okoye or Ayo?” He asked.
“Neither, Attuma,” he was informed.
“Let him in,” he stood and came from behind his desk, as Attuma sauntered inside of the room, the guard closing the door. “Etail áanteni', ba'ax ki' janal, kulen; ka a'al ti' teen bix ku ba'alo'ob yéetel Okoye yéetel teech,” (My friend what a pleasure, sit; and tell me how are things going with Okoye and you.)
“Hayi kakuhle, mhlobo wam. Yingakho, ndishiya iWakanda; Ngonaphakade,” (Not well, my friend. This is why, I am leaving Wakanda; forever.) Attuma looked at him, and M'Baku could see in his eyes, things had gone terribly wrong.