You're the one I Dream of
Attuma appeared to be listening to Maczil, as she went on, how as youngsters; they looked up to the mighty warriors. As they did, their great ruler; K’uk’ulkan, and his trusted generals, Namora and Attuma. She went on how they would emanate them in play battles. And how she would watch him going through Talokan. When she was sixteen, she grew a crush on him, and after she turned eighteen, he left for Wakanda to live with the surface world.
His mind was elsewhere; after all he had come here to meditate and figure things out. He lingered on the voice he heard, before leaving Wakanda. It replayed in his mind, and he wondered why he didn’t realize it before; there was a distinctive important element of it. If he could take a guess, it was definitely a woman; and it wasn’t a call. Whoever it was, screamed out his name; as if they were in terror. Attuma, he repeated in his mind. Attuma, there was distinguishing aspect about it. He had heard it before, but where?
“Attuma,” she called to him for the third time. He left his thoughts, and analyzing the voice, for another time. When he was alone, and undisturbed.
“I do apologize, but it’s been a long day, and getting late. I need to rest,” Attuma said, as he stood to his feet. “And thank you, for your story; on being a admirer. But you should always fine your own self as a hero.”
“That’s really good advise, and a good idea,” she said, standing just in front of him. “Would you mind being my mentor?”
“Mentor?” He repeated. “For what?”
“I want to train as a warrior,” she answered. “I have already been off and on, for the last few years. But none of the other generals have the patience.”
“And you think I do?” He had to laugh out loud at this.
“Great warriors usually do,” she says. “They desire to make more of themselves, to better their ranks.”
“You are wise in your thinking, to be so young,” he said to her, which made her cringe.
“I’m twenty-four years, and I do know enough,” she informed him.
“Okay, Maczil, we can start tomorrow, and then we will see; if you feel as you do now,” he chuckled, then dove into the water, without further discussion. She stood there for a moment, stunned how abrupt that was; then followed after him.
Namora looked over Talokan from her advantage point as she usually does this time of morning. She watched, as Attuma came through at high-speed, heading to his home. Her eyes narrowed, and fixed on the one called Maczil. She was right behind him, and this didn’t sit well with her. She is nothing but trouble, and that is the last thing Attuma’s needs.
“Namora, have you seen Attuma around?” One of the gate keepers came up to her. She turned to him.
“Yes, he’s probably home getting some rest,” she told him. “What is it you need of him?”
“He’s being summons by the Wakandan King,” he informed her. “He’s saying it’s urgent that they speak.”
“I know it’s quite early in the morning there,” she stated. “What could be so pressing?” She more said than asked. “I will go answer the summons. Don’t bother Attuma, I will relay him the message when he wakes.”
“As you say,” he turned and swam back to his post. Namora swam to meet with M'Baku.
M'Baku paced the shore, waiting for the arrival of Attuma. He has to let him know, Okoye was recovering from surgery, and why she treated him harshly. But he was right, Okoye’s heart is not cold. She didn’t think she would be able to give to him the quality of life he deserves. What she failed to realize, without that one; who consumes your very foundation, there is no life.
He noticed the movement in the water a few feet away. Then he recognized it was Namora, and not Attuma. He wondered why. “King of Wakanda,” she greeted him.” She walked out of the water and came within a foot of him. She is so tiny, entered his mine.
“Where is Attuma,” he searched the waters behind her. “I sent for him on an urgent matter.”
“Whatever you need to speak with my brother, you can relay it to me,” she told him.
“No, this is for his ears only,” he says.
“If this is some trick to get him to return, you may want to rethink that. He came back broken, and now you want him back? For what? To finish him?” She was getting angry with each word spoken.
“What I want for my friend, is to mend his broken heart,” he spoke calmly, to bring her down a notch. “The information I have for him, will do just that.” She stared at him for a moment.
“I see you have a deep care for him,” she observed. “But he may be on the road to just that; as there may be one below, who could help him, move on to a better place.” M'Baku made a step towards her, which put her on alert.
“Clearly you have never known such love, or you would know; there is no replacement for it.” He was stern with his delivery, but as calm as a gentle breeze. “The love he has, is deep; and only death can uproot it. And even then, it would fail.”
“I may not know about this so-called love, you speak. But I do know, the determination of one; who is relentless. That is what this, you talk of, is up against.”
“When this fails, and it will,” M'Baku made another step, and bent down to her. “Remember, I told you so.” He turned and walked away, leaving her standing, and staring at him.
“I never said, I cared if it failed or not,” she said to herself. “Just as long as he stays in Talokan, and away from the surface.” She walked out into the water, until she was submerged; then swam away.
Attuma had returned to his home, he had not been in over two years. He relieved himself of the clothes, he still wore from the surface. He was completely nude. This is how he moved about, in the privacy of his quarters. He had got himself food and beverage, before he laid down to rest, and get some sleep. His mind continues to nag him about the woman’s voice, and where he had heard it. Then he remembered, the restaurant.
‘Hey, you call this vegetarian food? I want my money back.’ Okoye’s voice, the same tone and volume. He sat up in bed.
“It was her calling to me, but no, it couldn’t have been her. Why did she sound so petrified?” He said out loud. He couldn’t figure it out. If that was her, where was she. She couldn’t have called; she just couldn’t have. Unless, there’s something wrong with her. He read somewhere; that two people, could be so connected, they could transcend time and space, to get to one another. If this is true, then Okoye is in trouble, and needs him.
“Wait, hold on Attuma,” he began to talk to himself. “This whole thing has you going into the deep. She broke your heart, and now, you’re trying to find reasons, to go back for another dose. Hearing her voice calling, yeah right.”
“Attuma,” he searched around, thinking he was losing his mind. “Attuma, it’s me, Maczil.” He breathes a sigh of relief.
“Come in, Maczil,” he responded. She swam in, searching about.
“In here,” he was wondering what she wanted. But he’s no fool. He knows exactly what she wants. She appeared in the entrance way of his bedroom. “It’s late Maczil, why are you here?” She came and sat next to him.
“I’m not a child, Attuma, and you’re not stupid,” she says. “You heard me when I said I developed a crush on you at sixteen, and fell in love with you at eighteen. Then you left, before I could profess my love. Well, I am now twenty-four, and you’re home.” She removed the scantily outfit, revealing her young luscious body; and then, snaked her hand under the cover, reaching what she sought.
“No, Maczil, please no,” he said, she smiled, as he let out a soft groan. She pulled the cover up enough, for her to crawl under. “Stop.” Another failed attempt, to resist; as she took him in her mouth. He surrendered to her wiles, lacking in energy; to fight anything thrown at him.
Okoye, continue to rest from her surgery. Shuri monitors her, making sure her recovery was going as planned. She left out, looking back; then closing her door, leaving it cracked. Okoye began to stir, hearing someone calling for help. They were trying to get away from a nefarious being; seeking to devour them. She knew that voice, it was her dream lover, calling to her.
“Attuma,” she whispered, still in her deep sleep.