You're the one I Dream of
Namor returned to his dwelling, as he came out of the water, and stood on the edge; staring into space. The water dripped from his body, unnoticed or care on his part. His mind was on his daughter, who told him of her decision, to leave Talokan. Why not? He thought to himself. Yes, why not? It’s not like her mother or him, have given her this loving life; and reason to want to be there. Yes, she has had the wealth he provided. But even he knows, himself; how detrimental privilege from birth; can produce, without love.
He slowly walked into the rooms of murals, and stood staring at all the history painted, of his people; before and now with him. He looked at his birth and the life, he was destined to inherit. Then the one when he fought Shuri; the Black Panther. He stared at his most recent one; he had started concerning the results of the alliance. He searched the walls for a suitable place; where he could create one, depicting the story of his child, Maczil.
He heard the splashing of water, the rushed footsteps. Then the horrid voice; calling his name, and the audacity of the arms, slung around his neck, and the cringe of the body next to his. Tecumbalam coming to him, for solace; from another predicament, she has orchestrated. She will find none there; only the wrath of a god.
“Namor, she’s gone,” Tecumbalam screamed. “She’s gone, our daughter has left us.” Namor’s eyes, grew so narrowed, one would have thought them closed; except for the black orbs, peeking through the slightly opened spaces.
He reached up, grasped her by her wrists; gradually removed her arms from his neck, and pushed her a few inches away from him. His occludes were shooting, piercing daggers; slicing through her. The whole of her body tremble at his nefarious gaze. He continued to hold on to her wrist, his hands tightening their grip, with each passing instance.
“You’re hurting me, Namor,” she struggled to free herself, but in vain. The stronghold of a god, can never be will loosened, until he so desires. And this one doesn’t desire it.
“Tell me Tecumbalam,” his voice was like a winter freeze. And his breath was just as cold on her face, his mouth just an inch from her face. “When did I ever give you permission to call me by that name?” She stared at him, her mouth quivering, as she tried to gain meaning of the question. She has always called him that, since the birth of their daughter. So, why the in query now?
“But since our child's birth, I have referred to you; without any conflict,” she replied, search his eyes, and wondering where this was leading too.
“That’s not what I asked, Tecumbalam,” he scowled, as he applied more pressure to her wrists. She let out a loud yelp, signaling the pain was becoming unbearable.
“Namor please, you’re hurting me,” she screamed once again, and agonized over liberating herself from his clutches. He jerked her hard, bringing back into him; their bodies merging as one. His face was somber, as he glared into her eye. She breathes a breath, but was hardly able to recapture it, as the fear mounted within her. She felt as if, her heart would burst out of her chest.
“Since you are too thick in the head,” he growled. “I am your K’uk’ulkan; your god. And you will refer to me henceforth, call me by any other name, and you will pay dearly.” He shoved her away with such disdain on his face. She rubbed her wrist, but to afraid to complain, or disputed the name; she was told to address him.
“What about Maczil leaving?” She managed to ask. The question revisited, triggered something in him. He gave her such a malevolent visage, it caused her to back away, only being hampered by the wall. She had never witnessed this side of him before. Not even when he gave the speech of the pending attack on Wakanda.
“Never speak her name, ever in my present; for the rest of your pathetic life,” he proceeded to approach her. “You and I have no daughter, you poor excuse of a mother. But myself, I have a child, and she is going to finally have a life she deserves, without you the incubator. You use her existence for your gain of the high life. Well, that ends here. Enjoy the rest of the luxurious lifestyle you have waddled in, and since the conception of my daughter. You will find your own way of life, but not from me.”
“But Na--, K’uk’ulkan,” she braved a advance towards him. “What am I going to do? How can I survive? Where am I going to live, if I have no means to provide for myself?” She began to sob, her body almost going into convulsions.
“There’s a book I read, from the surface world,” he turned from her, looking at a space in the wall he deemed a perfect spot to tell the story of his Maczil. “There was a passage near the end, when the woman, basically asked the same thing. So, I will give you the same answer that was retorted. Frankly, Tecumbalam, I don’t give a damn, where you go, or what you do. Now, I had to add my updated version of what was said. But I’m sure, the meanings reflect each other. Now, I grow vex with your antics; leave and don’t return, if you value your future.”
“But--,” she never finished, as he swung around facing her, his look was that of death. She lingered no further, turned promptly; and ran from his sight. He heard the rush of feet, and the splash, as she dove into the water; swimming as fast as she knew how, placing distance between them.
Her thoughts were her survival now, and how to get through this. She needed to think, she swam to her home, the one she will have give up, Namor goes through with his plans, to discontinue her funds. It’s all that, little conniving brat’s fault. She had given her the best life could offer, and all she does is ruin it. She’s going to teach her a lesson, but first, needs to get to Attuma. He still thinks she’s, his daughter. Yes, Attuma will help, if she plays the distraught mother, wondering where her child ran off to. That will work.
Okoye was able to get Attuma into his home, she felt being around his familiar surroundings, would begin his healing process. Her crying broke him a little, that he attended to her needs, in spite of what he was going through. She led him to his room, which he immediately took to the bed, exhausted. She went to leave.
“No, in yakunaj, please stay,” he reached for her. She came and laid beside him; he pulled her into him. He seemed to be finding his way out of that dark place.
“What happened in Talokan?” She asked, after some time of them cuddling.
“Terrible, something very terrible,” he said. “Consequences of my actions.”
“Are we speaking of what you said happened, between the girl and you?” She asked him. “Because if we are, we already dealt with that?”
“You know something went on with her and me?” He didn’t remember telling her.
“Attuma, my love, a blind man could see between the lines,” she jests, but was being serious. “So, why are you revisiting it?”
“There was more information, I was given; that changed the whole situation,” he informed her. She moved away from him, and turned to him.
“Really? What information you received, that has you so distraught?” She stared him in the eyes, the light still hadn’t resurfaced.
“If I tell you, you wouldn’t look at me as you do now,” he informed her. “When I heard it, and recalled the last few days. Even I wanted to crawl up in a ball, and never move again.”
“Do you love me still?” She asked, point blank. He was stunned with the question.
“Yes, with all that I am,” he assured her.
“Then how is that so, if you can’t trust me?” He took a few minutes, to ponder over it. But knew where she was leading up to. She wanted him to reveal, what he found out; that was so devastating.
“I promise you, it’s not good,” he warned her. He commenced telling her, what went on with the young woman and why. Then he told her about his old girl friend showing up at his door, with the explanation on why she left him broken, when they were young sweethearts. She told him she left, because she had his baby; but didn’t want to tie him down. But the part about this young woman, being that child, just shattered him. Okoye listened, and analyzed everything he told her.
“Attuma, Sthandwa sam,” (my love), she started. “Where is that warrior I fought on the bridge? Where is your fact check mode? Your old girlfriend, who you were deeply in love with; gets pregnant by you, then takes off with your child? And withholds this information; then after many years, she all of a sudden, comes clean. This on the tail end; after the young woman and you, engage in whatever it was you did. Did I get it all correct?” Attuma wasn’t sure how to deal with this attitude, he thought he would get a disgusting look from her.
Ah, yes, that sums it up?” He was still bewildered.
“Why are you believing anything coming out of her mouth?” She asked. “She lies for over twenty years, why trust what she says?” Attuma didn’t know how to answer that. Why did he automatically believe her, without further investigation? “I don’t know, frankly.” Is it’s any possible way, to love this beautiful woman anymore. If so, he will definitely strive towards it.
A knock at the door, interrupted them. They both looked at each other, knowing no one would know they were there. Unless Shuri came home, and saw she wasn’t there. Then after awhile of not hearing from her; and the way they had left things. She came searching for, figuring this could be the only place she would come.
“Maybe Shuri looking for me,” she says and left him in the room to go answer the door. Attuma tilted his head to the side, watching her go. Why would Shuri be looking for her? Did she not inform her she was coming there? Next, he will be his turn to be the interrogator.
“Hello, may I help you?” Okoye asked of the young woman standing at the door.
“Yes, I’m looking for Attuma,” she replied. At first, Okoye didn’t recognize her, it was dark, and she was dazed.
“I know you,” she acknowledged her. “You were with Attuma, the other night.” Maczil became alarmed and went to turn and leave. “No, don’t go. Please come in.” She stood facing away, contemplating what to do. This could go well; or terribly wrong.
“Maczil?” His voice permeating from inside. She gradually, turned to see him coming their way. “What are you doing here?” Okoye stood back, allowing them to converse.
“I’m not sure myself,” she replied. “I shouldn’t be here; I’ve caused you enough anguish as it is.”
“Well, since you are,” Okoye jumped in. “You might as well complete the journey.” Maczil liked how she phrased that. Yes, this is the beginning of hers, and giving Attuma the information that will start his healing, will give her the ending; to old things and the start of new.
“Yes, do come in,” Attuma invited her. She did as they asked.
“What did you need?” He asked offering her a seat.
“Nothing from you but forgiveness,” she looked him in the eyes.
“Forgiveness?” He shook his head. “No, I should be asking that of you.” Okoye went into the kitchen to allow them as much privacy they could have. He didn’t want her to venture too far from him. She had become his strength.
“No, Attuma, you don’t know the full story to this pitiful tale,” she expounded. He looked at her completely bewildered.
“I think I know everything that needs to be known,” he told her. “And please, let’s not rehash this whole sordid situation. Let it go and we move on.”
“Yes, moving on,” she sorta smiled at that prospect. “I’ve left Talokan, and I’m not going back.”
“What? Why?” he asked, as despaired hinted in his voice. “Where are you going?” Attuma went in his father mode; wondering what else could’ve happened, to cause her to make such a drastic situation. He knew she was angry with her mother for keeping it from her; but felt they could work through it.