You're the one I Dream of
Three days has passed, and Attuma kept his word. Maczil would come, and try to work her magic on him, but to no avail. He didn’t give her any hopes or dreams, on what they had. His mind dwelled on one person, and one person only; Okoye.
He made a decision to get away from Talokan, and return to Wakanda, and check out the status of his home. Though it seemed like its been an eternity since leaving, it hasn’t been even a week. He was already home sick. Maybe he would go to the river bank, where he first saw her; after she had returned.
“Yes, going home will be the best thing to do, and maybe get some answers,” he thought to himself. He left out that evening; before the time he knew Maczil would make her round. He wanted to be gone. He made his plans to go check on his house, then go to the river, even get in a swim. He left for Wakanda undetected.
Okoye was up and about, eating and exercising, regaining her strength. It was evening time and Shuri was working late. She felt confident with Okoye’s progress, that they may be able to schedule the surgery for the following week. Okoye walked out unto her porch, and sat on the top step. Her mind went where it always goes, thinking about him, her dream lover; Attuma.
She stepped down off the porch and called Mbandi. She discovered she was pregnant, and was happy for her. She knew exactly which of her males fathered her bundle. She stared into the skies and watch the stars sending off their codes, the moon bright, shedding its light.
Suddenly, she had this yearning, to go to the river, to where she first saw the one, who would give her fantasy man an identity. She couldn’t ride Mbandi in her state. She went into the house, retrieved her keys, and drove the land rover. She sped off into the night.
Attuma made it to the outskirts of the river tribe’s borders, and where his home was located. When he came up on the banks, and beheld his house, it felt right. This is where he belongs, this is where he started his new life. He walked inside, exploring every room, just to remind himself this was his.
He sat at the table, trying to sort things out. He realized how low he had sunk, into the abyss of despair, and allowing himself to be a tool for someone’s obsession. It doesn’t feel right and wonder how people can go through life being used in such a way. Every relationship he has had, has been incredible. And each ended with the up most respect and adoration. But he knows this will no go well with Maczil.
“Is this your home?” Attuma looked at her standing in the doorway, glancing inside.
“Maczil, what are you doing here?” He stumped towards her.
“I saw you swimming away, as I was coming up,” she moved pass him, and further into the house examining it thoroughly. “So, I decided to follow you.” She sat in one of his chairs, smiling.
“You need to leave, now,” he was trying to control his emotions. Three times she has invaded his privacy, at his secluded place, his home in Talokan, now this one in Wakanda, his most sacred abode. And the last place he wanted her presence, the special spot; only reserved, for Okoye and him.
“Why you being so mean? She was playing with him.
“First, you intrude my alone time, interrupting my meditation,” he started in on her, but she was too arrogant to get the memo, he was pissed. “Then my home, forcing yourself on me at a very vulnerable time. But I take responsibility of that. Because, the second time; I could have thrown your butt out.”
“But you didn’t,” she stood, and walked up to him; staring him in the eyes. “You enjoyed every bit of what I did to you. So don’t deny it.” He was biting at the chops. He grabbed her arm, and escorted her out of his home.
“You may violate the house I live, in Talokan,” he growled. “But never, and I mean ever come here again. I’ve given you enough leeway with me and my life. But here, this belongs to me. Now go back to Talokan or not, but leave here and never return.” He gave her a gentle shove to emphasize he meant it.
She looked at him in unbelief. But saw the rage behind his black eyes, and they reminded her who he was, Attuma, the Talokanil general. She turned, ran and leaped into the water, swimming back home to Talokan.
He shook his head, realizing and understanding; the warning from Namora. The glares she received in the marketplace and beyond. He will deal with her once he gets back. Now, all he wanted was a swim in his favorite place. He ran towards it and dove in, taking off his clothes while there.
Okoye drove the land rover so far, then decided to jog the rest of the way. She got to the spot belonging to Attuma and her. She walked along the bank taking in the motion of the flowing water, it was so serene. She wondered how he was doing, and hoped her dreams weren’t true. Maybe they were warnings of things to come. Then a familiar splash, imposed on her thoughts.
“No, it couldn’t be,” she waited, then watched. Yes, he came up out of the water as always, then dove back in. And yes, in Attuma form, in the nude. She smiled; the man has no shame.
She started towards him, to surprise him, and show him she was there, but stopped. Another person was there with him, as their head popped up out of the water, and from what she could detect, it was a woman. She quickly ducked behind the tree, then noticed; she had over done it, and leaned against it for support.
“Damn it Maczil,” he yelled. “Do you not listen, or hear a word spoken to you?” But before she could speak, his head slowly turned towards the same tree; Okoye stood hidden. “You hear that?”
“What?” She looked in the same direction. “I don’t hear a thing.” But he did, her heart rate was speeding, her breath was struggling. It was her; he couldn’t believe the chances.
“You really can’t hear it?” he turned back to Maczil, as it dawned on him.
“No, I don’t,” she snapped, thinking he was trying to spook her. After all, she has no idea what lurks in Wakanda, human or beast.
“Okoye,” he whispered. Now, he knew, their connection was real. He plowed through the water.
“What, wait, Attuma,” Maczil called after him as he sped for the banks, leaving her there, floating in the river alone. He came upon the bank, and put on his pants. And moved towards the tree, now his heart raced, he barely could catch his breath, in anticipation of what he would see behind the tree. He rounded it, his heart froze in his chest; when he looked upon her, hiding next to the tree.
Okoye tried to be as quiet as a mouse. She heard him yell, maybe at the person with him. She heard him come upon the banks, she felt him near, and come around the tree, looking down at her. She felt her legs give out from under her, and his arms instantly, encircled her and held her for support. Their eyes locked, how much he wanted to give her that kiss, she had requested; that morning in his home. But he knew then, a kiss would have not been enough, at that time.
“Attuma,” her voice shattered the moment of their reunion.
“Go back to Talokan, Maczil,” his eyes never left Okoye’s.
“Attuma,” she could hardly speak. That’s when he noticed, she was bald again. He lightly ran his hand over it, to acknowledge he knew, but touched the small dressing.
“What is this?” He looked at it carefully, then to her.
“Attuma, who is this?” Maczil asked, agitated.
“A dear friend, now do as I say,” he turned his head, glaring at her. She backed up seeing he was very angry with her. He resumed his inquiry.
“What is this, Okoye,” he was very adamant. She sighed.
“I had to have surgery,” she revealed. He picked her up into his arms, then looked at Maczil, and without another word, walked pass her; carrying Okoye towards his home. Maczil watched, but dare not follow him this time. She knew it would be a grave mistake.
“I’ll give you this, general,” she begins her rant. “You will not use me, then toss me aside like nothing.” She dove into the water and swam for Talokan.
Attuma brought her inside, and took her into the room she occupied, the night she passed out. She stared at him, not believing him being so kind, after she had been so callous. He left the room momentarily, to get her something to drink, and quickly returned. He wanted no time to elapse between them, with them finally being together.
“I didn’t want her to know anymore than she needed,” he broke the silence.
“Who is she?” Okoye asked him. He looked down, not able to look her in the eyes.
“No one important,” he told her.
“Didn’t seem to be, as far as she was concerned,” she says. “I know when a woman or man, is being territorial. And usually, there’s a reason they feel they can be.”
“I was told you had left Wakanda. You told me, you didn’t care about me, and there was nothing for me. So, why are you questioning me about her?” He looked into her eyes. She saw the pain and the lost evident there. She did it, she brought all this on him, because of her choices. She reached for his face, he took her hand, and pressed it against his lips; savoring the touch of her.
“I have no idea who told you that, but they lied,” she clarified it for him. “I understand M'Baku summoned you to tell you about my surgery.”
“Yes, tell me about it?” He moved unto the bed.
“That day I sent you away, I had a aneurysm burst, I collapsed,” she explained. “Shuri did a emergency operation. It saved my life.” He fell to his knees, and laid his head in her lap. She began to entangle her fingers through his hair.
“I should have known you were sending me away, because of your health,” he spoke, his words muffled, as his head remained embedded in her lap.
“Well, you can be there, after all,” she advised. He lifted his head, confused. She smiled. “I have a brain tumor that needs to be removed. It will be done next week.” He stood, running his hands over his hair, then pulling it back into a ponytail. He looked at her.
“All of this,” he walked back and sat next to her, his face an inch away. “You were going through, trying to be protective to all of us. No more, we are going to be with you now, every step of the way.” Tears welled in her eyes, he removed his rebreather and kissed her, with his hand supporting her head as it became intense. She placed her arms around his neck, pulling herself close to him. He picked her up and placed her on his lap.
“Let’s get you home,” he said, fearing he would lose his will, and make passionate love to her. But knowing, that was not the right thing to do. He’s done with doing the wrong things. He carried her out his home and walked along the bank the distance she showed him where she had parked the land rover. He placed her in the passenger side and took his place in the driver side. He gazed into her eyes, not believing this was real, they were there together. He leaned over kissing her for the second time to reassure himself, she was truly by his side. He pulled his head back and smiled staring into her big beautiful brown eyes.
Yes, she’s there, he thought to himself, then drove it to take her back to her house. She rested her head on his arm, as they rode along the river banks, then into the open fields and meadows, leading into the border tribe borders, and to her home.