You're the one I Dream of
Namor came to inform Attuma of the lies Tecumbalam had told him, about being Maczil’s father. He wanted to explained to him, that in actually; he himself, was indeed her father. Yes, he knew Attuma would be fierce with him; for having this knowledge. And that his then girlfriend and him, had a one-night stand. Then they made a decision; to keep that bit of information from him, all these years. Thus, another reason she left without a word. But he digresses. He was partly relieved, there will be no confrontation on the matter.
“I think he’s gone,” Maczil came up behind him. Namor swung around facing her, with this firm look. Didn’t he order both her mother, and her to stay away? “I don’t blame him.”
“Maczil,” his voice was stern. But before he could say another word, she intercepted him.
“I know, you ordered us to leave him alone,” she came to him, and looked him in his eyes; searching for something, her mother couldn’t possess. And hoped, at least he did. “I didn’t come for him. I was searching for you, and saw you coming here. I wanted you to hear it from me. I’m leaving Talokan. I can’t stay here any longer, father.” The tears filled her eyes, her voice was pitiful. Namor felt a lump form in his throat, and his heart felt as if it was cracking. He cleared his throat, his child was telling him, she was going away; and he felt it would be forever.
“Maczil, did you run this, by your Na'?” He asked.
“She’s one of the reasons I’m going,” she informed him. “I don’t want to be treated the way I am by everyone, nor judged, because of who she is, or has done.”
“Who’s been doing that to you?” He wanted to know, so he could deal with them harshly. She reached out, and took his arms in her hands.
“Father, please don’t. My Na' has done some horrible things,” she stared into his eyes, and there she saw, for the first time in her existence; his love for her. “And because of those things, I was grouped with her, and in turn; I did some terrible things. But no more. I want a fresh start; away from here, and her.”
“And me,” he added. She floated up, so they were face to face, and kissed him lightly on his cheek.
“Ma', in taata,” (No, my father), she started. “I need you in my life, and hope you need me in yours. I wish that we can meet up somewhere, sometime; for time spent, just for the two of us.”
“I will enjoy that,” he expressed. “Maczil, if it gets too hard for you out there. Know you always have a home here with me.” She nodded; as tears flowed. He grabbed her into his arms, holding her for dear life. He has always watched over her there in Talokan, but out there in the world, it will be harder.
“Thank you, in taata,” she basked in his embrace, and drew the courage needed, to do what she must, to leave. She pulled from his arms, and floated away, staring into his eyes; as she went out the door, and vanished from his sight. It was more than he could bear. He couldn’t watch her go from him, and Talokan.
“No, thank you, in ki'ichpam x-ch'úupal,” (my beautiful child), he tried his best not to, but his heart was breaking, his only daughter was gone.
He cried; it was so painful. For the first time he understood, what being a parent meant. He had taken it for granted having her around, getting in her mischievous situations, and him getting her out of them. But why did it take this, for him to realize it?
He will most definitely, be looking forward; to her calling him, for their meetings. If not, he will set them up. His grief was short lived, as it turned into anger. That witch of a mother did this, went through his mind. She will live to regret it, if it takes him the rest of her life.
Okoye had fell asleep in Attuma’s bed; his aroma was strong, and like a sedative for her, flowing into her nostril. She left the bed, feeling dehydrated, needing something to drink. She was quite surprised to see; he had some of her special brewed fruit tea. Hmm, she wondered how did he get it? She got a pot to warm some up, when she heard a raucous coming from out front. She rushed to a window, then peeked out, and met with an amazing sight.
“Attuma,” she screamed, and ran to the door, and out to the bank, where he laid, half conscious.
TMay had brought him as far as he could, to his home. Once again, his friend the orca, took his and brought him the rest of the way. He gently placed him on the bank. TMay made his loud vocal; alerting anyone around, who could hear him. His master needs their assistance.
He watched, as the woman flew out the door, and run to him. Then she ran back inside, and returned with his equipment, to help his breathing. She placed the ones for his shoulders on him first, then the one over his mouth.
“Come my love, breath,” she urged him on. “Come on Attuma.” Finally, his struggling slowed down, and he became relaxed, as his rebreathers did their job. TMay let out another boisterous call, then leaped into the air, and plunge back into the water; Okoye sat viewing the spectacle, in awe.
“Okoye?” Attuma, touched the side of her face. She turned her gaze upon him.
“Attuma,” she took his head between her hands, then leaned in; pressing their foreheads together.
“Where am I?” He tried to raise up; but still to weak, and fell back down.
“Your home, near the banks in front of your house,” she informed him.
“How?” He was trying to recall everything before he got there.
“I’m gathering, that’s the same whale that dropped you off on the bridge that night,” she pointed to him; jumping in and out of the water, performing various acrobatic tricks.
“TMay?” He said his name. He looked towards the water. “He brought me here?”
“Yes, with the help of the orca,” she said, this after it came out and went back in.
“How did he know where to find me?” He was curious.
“Our animals always know, when we are in need of help,” she explained. “He may have followed you, to wherever you went; and saw you were in distress. Now, let’s get you inside.”
“No, I can’t stay,” he turned from her. She stared at him in confusion.
“What are you saying, you can’t stay?” She inquired.
“I can’t stay, Okoye. I’m sorry, but it’s better this way,” he told her. She stared at him, trying to make sense of what he was speaking. Yes, they did something, as she felt they would.
“I-Attuma yam,” (My Attuma), Ba'ax tu beetajo'ob teech, (what did they do to you?), she asked.
“Please, never call me that,” he requested of her.
“My Attuma? Is that what you’re referring?” She wanted clarification.
“Yes, never that,” he told her. She shook her head, staring at this shell, that was viable when he left.
“What happened Attuma, please tell me,” she pleaded. He kept his back to her.
“No, Okoye,” he says. “I can’t ever hurt you; with this thing hovering over me, like a dark cloud.” She lowered her head thinking. What can she do, to bring him out of it? She reached over; grabbing his arm, to turn him towards her. He jerked, it out of her hand. “Please, I can’t look at you, I’m so ashamed.”
“And touching you? I shouldn’t touch you either?” Her voice alerted him, he is causing her distress, and she shouldn’t be stressing. Especially, with her pending surgery coming up.
“Oh no, in yakunaj,” (my darling), he slightly turned onto his back, but refused to look her in the face. “Its me who are not fit to look at, or touch you.” Okoye was dumbfounded. What has occurred, to place him in this state of mind?
“So, I will never feel your arms around me, ever again?” She asked, her voice sorrowful. “Nor the feel of your lips upon mine, and the taste of your mouth, or you and me, with our bodies connected as one, and you inside of me?” He slowly turned towards her, with each description. He gazed into her eyes; her heart nearly stopped beating, when she saw the void, replacing the brightness, that use to fill his.
“I wish I could fulfill everything you said, but I can’t,” he looked away once again.
“But why, In yakunaj?” (My love) She was crying in hysterics, by now.
He couldn’t bear it any longer, hearing her outbreak. His will wasn’t that strong, and couldn’t endure the pain he was afflicting on her. He turned on her, as quick as a rattlesnake’s strike. He took her into his arms; and onto his lap, burying his head into her bosom, and wept with such depth. She wrapped her arms around his head, holding him tight; and allowed her love and strength, to flow into him. She hoped, it would give him what he needs, to get through this.