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“She uses her voice to speak to me purposefully. But her body sings to me, in most cases unintentionally. Her kisses are likened to a well composed symphony, no matter the brevity the crescendo is never faltering. Absent minded caresses play across my skin like”
His pencil skidded across the paper at an intrusion from the very conductor he was pining after. “Mr. Attuma! Is my teaching not of interest to you?"
His obvious nervousness shone in the forced chuckle he offered as a response. Once he realized she, nor any of the others staring at him bought the facade he cleared his throat and sat up in his chair. “What uhm.. what was the question?”
“Mr. Attuma for you to pass my class and earn your credits you have to pay attention. I will not waste my time nor any of your peers’ time to constantly repeat myself; because you choose to spend your time sketching or whatever it is you do in that small book.” She paused and raised her perfectly manicured brow, shifting her weight from one foot to the other. “Do I make myself clear?"
“Perfectly.” Attuma sat up straight in his seat and turned to a fresh page in his notebook.
When he chose this class, he thought it would be a breeze. He also thought an older and much less attractive person would conduct the course. He had no clue that a goddess who could've walked straight out of a mythological realm would be instructing him 3 times a week. They were currently discussing information about the ancient civilization of Wakanda. Attuma heard about the country in passing, but he never took the time to explore the nation in-depth.
Okoye made sure they scoured through the information with a fine-toothed comb, to ensure that there would be no stragglers lost in the plethora of material she put together. Before they started this unit she informed the class of her expectations for this section of the syllabus. Many people chose this class solely because of their love of Wakanda. Therefore, Okoye shortened a few of the other lesson plans so that she could fit as much into the 2 weeks allotted to this unit.
Attuma often chastised himself for his boyish nature around his professor. In all his years of schooling, he never found himself so enamored with a superior the way he was with Okoye. She caught his attention because of her passion for teaching and her beauty only added to his attraction. When he couldn’t focus on the words that poured from those lips that kept him up many a night, Attuma started scribbling the sweet nothings that would infiltrate his mind. The pages in his notebook he dedicated to Okoye became his favorite pastime. Many nights he found himself at home having to go over the information from class on his own. This was because he was too busy channeling Shakespeare when he was supposed to be paying attention.
Okoye wasn’t blind to Attuma’s ogling and distracted nature. She wasn’t blind to his physique either, but longing for her students was not something that she would even consider doing. Allegedly. If she was being completely honest with herself, she enjoyed the large man’s unabashed attention. His long obsidian black hair reminded her of the black silk sheets that adorned in her bed at home. Sometimes she’d catch herself wanted to glide her hands through his tresses the same way she did her bed at night. Then as soon as she would snap out of her reverie those thoughts would be concealed to the back of her brain. The recent ending of her 5-year relationship had her feeling somewhat unsure of herself. W’Kabi was a spiteful excuse for a man that tended to drag others into his despair. Okoye certainly wasn't a damsel in distress, but knowing the man she shared a bed with for so many years thought so lowly of her it wasn’t the most empowering pill to swallow. So she buried herself in work and admonished herself for ever giving W’Kabi the power to affect her mind so deeply.
Throughout the rest of the class, Attuma made sure to keep his eyes glued to the material that was being presented in front of him. Although he couldn’t help but notice the way her dress bounced when she would turn to scribble information on the board. He tried to ignore it, but who was he to deny perfection, especially when it's beckoning him in such an inviting manner? He caught her eye a few times but the moment never seemed to last more than a few seconds, which was okay with him since he wanted to get through this lesson without another scolding. Attuma was certain if the opportunity presented itself and he had a chance to get lost in the stories that danced behind Okoye’s beautiful eyes he would never want to hear anything else.
Now the class was over and Okoye was dismissing everyone to enjoy their weekends.
“Attuma, one moment please."
He watched the others exit the classroom until the only other person occupying the space was Okoye. Though it’s probably anatomically impossible Attuma was sure that he was tasting his heartbeat after being alone in her presence.
“I apologize for my neglect of attention. It won’t happen again" He spoke first to show he wasn’t a complete imbecile.
A small smile formed on one corner of her mouth. She turned and retrieved her laptop from her desk before he could see if it reached the other side.
“While I appreciate your apology that is not why I asked you to stay. You noted that you wanted to write your report on the Dora Milaje, but you weren’t sure where to start, yes?”
She was now directly in front of him searching for something on the computer, and he was gobsmacked once again. As hard as he tried to steer clear of close contact with this beauty, if he could thank Chaac himself for bestowing him with this blessing, he would. He noticed her glance over the laptop to see if he was still with her.
“Oh I- yes. It is uncommon for women to be praised for their heroic efforts in history, which is why I am wanting to write about the Dora. I also find their traditional fighting style and bald heads very intriguing.” His last bit of reasoning earned him a snorted chuckle from Okoye. Her hair was cropped short, with just enough hair to have tribal symbols etched on each side of her head.
“Here’s an article that should get you started with your research of the Dora Milaje” she set her laptop on the space of his desk then moved to gather her things from her desk.
“I think yours is intriguing too” she paused and gazed at him over her shoulder
“My what?”
"Your hair... or rather your haircut. It suits you well." He wasn’t sure where this sudden outpouring of his inner thoughts came from but he couldn’t seem to cut it off, and after letting them fester for all this time he wasn’t quite sure he wanted to.
“Thank you” She smiled lightly. “You can email that to yourself if you’d like”
He didn’t respond, instead he observed the way she graciously moved across the floor doing her end of the day tasks. Even in the simplest things she was a sight to be revered. “Can I help with anything? I’ve been told I’m good with my hands.” He knew she didn’t need anything from him but he’d kick himself if he didn’t put the offer on the table.
Whether he was trying to or not, he was, she picked up his message and heard it loud and clear. “Mr. Attuma correct me if I’m wrong but it seems as though you’re flirting with me.”
Now it was his turn to pause. The fact that her back faced his beet-red face made him eternally grateful, but the lack of eye contact also gave him a confidence boost. “If I was, would that offend you?"
Before she could shoot down his admission, her phone rang, and he was returning her laptop then exiting her classroom.
~~
A week passed since their after-class discussion. The papers from the Wakanda unit were turned in and graded. The opportunity for Attuma to follow up on his flirt inquiry hadn’t presented itself in the previous week. It was like the tables turned, the shoe was on the other foot so to speak. Now Attuma was feeling a bit braver in his approach and Okoye was doing everything in her power to avoid him outside of class. The fact that she hadn’t made time to deaden his slight advance gave him some hopeful impetus.
They made it through another class with Attuma giving her longer glances and her avoiding his dark eyes. That question he left her with stumped her, the thought of a student being bold enough to voice their attraction was so irrelevant to her that she was almost oblivious to the fact that there was something else behind Attuma’s lingering eyes. While he was a grown man, professors intermingling with students was a tale as old as time that never worked in the real world. Even if it did Okoye wasn’t about to find out.
Once Okoye dismissed the class for the evening, she went about her new routine of gathering her things as quickly as she could. Anything to avoid the conversation that she was dreading having. Attuma happened to be faster today.
He cleared his throat to gain her attention, nearly causing her heart to leap from her chest.
“By Bast why am I jittery? He’s making me jittery??” She wondered.
“She’s anxious..?” He mused.
“Did you need something?” She asked, not one that took kindly to being caught off guard.
He couldn’t completely wrangle the smile that threatened to overtake his face, so he settled for a a small smile. “I just wanted to personally thank you for my grade.”
“Yes well. You earned it by writing a compelling piece so there’s no need to thank me for your hard work.” She averted his gaze and continued to pack her things. If she stood still any longer she wasn’t sure how her body would betray her.
“The article you gave me helped a lot. I would’ve thanked you sooner but as soon as class ends you’re out the door here lately”
“Listen, Attuma, about last week” she paused to gather the words that had been flooding her mind all week, but now they were nowhere to be found. “I don’t engage in banter with my students that is not conducive to my teaching.”
“I understand, but that does not answer my question. You avoided it”
“It would not offend me, but it also will not get you anywhere Attuma.” This time she gave him direct eye contact. She needed to convince him just as much as she needed to convince herself.
“If that is what you wish then your presence is enough for now” with that he left her alone to steep in his words.
~~
During the remaining weeks of the course Attuma managed to keep pursuit at bay. Their conversation, though in passing, was kept professional and brief. Attuma would let Okoye know how much he enjoyed her lessons and before he could compliment anything else she was redirecting the conversation. Once Attuma realized that he would never successfully have a conversation without her deflecting his every word; he began to leave gifts on her desk. Initially it was just simple things that he thought she would enjoy. Attuma would get to the class before her, place whatever gift he had on her desk, leave before she got there and then pray to Chaac that he got to class again in time to see her reaction to his gifts. He never left a note attached, though he was sure she knew who was behind the gestures. Her outward reaction was always calm and poised but he could see the amusement that beamed in her eyes.
It was now the final day of class and Attuma decided that this gift should be given to her directly. He couldn’t help the smug smirk that spread across his face when he saw the fleeting look of disappointment that flashed across her face upon finding no gift waiting for her. Over the weeks Okoye unintentionally started looking forward to the goodies. She knew they were coming from Attuma, but because there was no name attached to the gifts she felt no need to put an end to the act. The part of her being that enjoyed being showered in affection was winning this battle. After being denied affection and affirmations for so long Okoye was taking what she could get, and doing so with her head held high.
“This semester has been a joy for me to teach. I love people that love learning, it makes my job much easier. I hope you all got the most out my lessons. It’s been a joy engaging with you all” she paused when she caught Attuma’s eye, and cleared her throat to continue her closing thoughts “to sum all this up in Xhosa, Uqhube kakuhle iklasi.” Some of the class responded with their respective phrases they picked up in Xhosa.
Attuma leaned against the wall as all his peers filed out the room. Okoye felt his eyes burning a hole into her back. She was anticipating this moment ever since she turned him down initially. The way he left without trying to persuade her otherwise gave her the impression that he was accepting her decision with grace. Then the gifts started appearing and then she knew there would eventually be more to their interactions. As a person who prefers to be 3 steps ahead, 4 if possible. Okoye now realized she failed herself because she couldn’t predict what Attuma might say, nor could she predict her response.
“Usisi do you need me to grab anything from the lounge for you?” Aneka, Okoye’s friend and colleague poked her head into the class room knocking the shy pair out of their heads. “Oh- Oh, do not let me interrupt!” She snickered disappearing as fast as she appeared.
“Aneka!” Okoye called out to her as she approached the door to see Aneka heading down the hallway hurriedly.
“Never mind!” She replied teasingly in a sing song manner.
“I’m sorry about that” Okoye chuckled as she ran a hand across the back of her neck “What can I help you with?”
“I would like to see you outside of class. I am aware of your rule against fraternizing with your students, but as of today, I no longer apply to those things” His initial plan was to work up to that point but his mind and mouth obviously were not on the same page. Attuma watched several different emotions bounce around on her face.
“Attuma. I think thats very endearing but I’m not sure that would work.” He noticed the way her eyes darted from his, almost as if she didn’t believe her words and she was reprimanding herself for her response.
“If I have learned nothing else from these months with you I know that you value certainty over assumptions. I will not pressure you into spending time with me if that is something you honestly aren’t interested in.”
“How do you know that I am not a totally different person outside these walls?” She gestured at the space around them, grasping for any excuse she could muster.
“I am willing to find out for myself, but it is impossible for a precious diamond to disguise itself as a pebble” an accomplished grin appeared on Attuma’s face from the short laugh that fell from Okoye’s lips.
“Alright. It is obvious that you are a very determined man. What did you have in mind?” She crossed her arms and tilted her head unable to hid the warm smile that had taken over her face.
“It is a surprise”
~~
“So are we going to keep avoiding the elephant in the room? Or should I say the shark?” Aneka failed at containing her laughter upon hearing Okoye choke on her drink.
They were out for dinner to decompress from the end of the semester. Okoye made the mistake of letting Aneka see one of the gifts from her not so secret admirer and she was left with no choice other than to indulge her very nosey and animated friend. Aneka urged Okoye to abandon her stance on not being involved with her students and to take a ride on the wild side, in every sense of the words.
“Aneka what more is there to talk about? And why do you insist on calling him a shark?” Okoye questioned while she tried to conceal a very amused smirk.
“Well for one we need to schedule a wax appointment” she raised a pointed brow “and you said he’s majoring in marine biology so shark just seemed fitting for a big guy. It’s sexier than a whale.. unless you’re into that?”
“Bast.. is there anything you think of that you don’t say? And I am not getting a wax! Nothing of that nature is happening.”
“You’re the only person I know thats hellbent on being close minded and close legged. You’ve got to open one of those things up sooner or later, I say start with the one that involves shark man”
~~
The week leading up to the date Okoye had to talk herself out of postponing several times. Nerves were only a small part of her hindrance, the fear of the unknown had her on edge like no other. Things being out of her control was not a task she took in stride. Aneka told her if she didn’t want to run her future man away she needed to at least try and stomach the idea of letting someone else take the reigns. She decided that this date, if that’s what this was, would let her know whether or not she was willing to emotionally yield to Attuma.
The only information Attuma gave her about today’s events was that she should dress comfortably and prepare to have fun. She had no idea what his definition of fun would be, but she silenced her doubts before they had a chance to make themselves known. Attuma suggested that they meet someplace and walk to their destination. Aneka told her she should’ve had him pick her up so she’d get the full date package, but if Okoye was going to give this a real chance she had to at least control her getaway if she needed one.
Attuma was first to arrive at the smoothie shop he suggested. He remembered how Okoye raved about her love of mangoes after he left a fruit basket on her desk. He figured it was her way of thanking him without acknowledging that she knew who was behind the secret Santa act. He waited for her to arrive and he couldn’t help but think of how his sister, Namora, chided him for pursuing one of his professors. As hard as he thought about it he could never find a problem with it and dismissed the thoughts the same way he dismissed Namora’s unwarranted opinions.
Soon there was a toothy smile spreading across his face the moment he saw Okoye enter the shop looking like a vision in blue. He already knew that she made any color and pattern look like art the way they bounced off her rich complexion. Okoye was donned in an azure sundress that hugged her bust in a way that made Attuma’s mouth water, and then in flared out at the waist. Her hair freshly cut with another intricate design gracing the sides of her head, and gold jewelry completed her look. He was almost sure he was tasting his heartbeat again when she smiled as she approached the table.
After they greeted each other, she waited until he sat down after pulling her chair out to speak “So are you finally going to tell me where we’re going” the excitement in her bested her calm demeanor
“Really? I thought you would’ve figured it out by now” he chuckled at her eager eyes “I know all about your love of African studies, specifically Wakanda, so I wanted share one of my passions with you”
She kissed her teeth and sat back in her chair “For Basts sake! I told Aneka we were going fishing”
“What? No. I mean it involves fish, yes, but we’re going to the aquarium” Attuma let out a hearty laugh at the “O” her lips formed.
They took their smoothies to go as they made their way to the aquarium. On the way they fell into comfortable conversation about the weather and any other details seemed important at the moment. Okoye couldn’t contain the giddy feeling she had been denying herself from entertaining all week. She felt like a teenager every time Attuma’s arm swept past hers as they walked.
Once they got to the aquarium they were able to skip the ticket line due to Attuma having already purchased their tickets. Usually Okoye would’ve at least offered to repay her share but Aneka made her promise that she wouldn’t. Something about leaving the independent woman act alone for one day wouldn’t kill her. Okoye didn’t pay much attention to her reasoning but she did follow the main instructions. She was playing the perfect date.. well her version of the perfect date.
Okoye listened intently as Attuma told her all the facts he found interesting about the sea life they saw in passing. She realized early on that she would never tire of the he way his eyes lit up when he would remember a certain tidbit. Whenever Attuma felt Okoye got too quiet he would stop to make sure he was keeping her interest and not boring her with his mental rolodex of sea life facts.
“So of all the creatures you’ve studied, whats your favorite?” She queried when they stopped to observe a family of sea turtles pass in the over head tank.
“Sharks”
~
They had explored all the floors of the aquarium and Okoye was thoroughly entertained but she was also famished.
“I wonder if they have a snack machine around here” she thought aloud
“I have one more thing to show you then we can go to the restaurant I was telling you about, okay?”
She nodded her head shyly because her words fled her head once she realized he heard what she thought was a mental note.
“I suppose you saved the sharks for last hm?”
“You are correct. Save the best for last right?”
They walked through a pair of double doors and past a roped off section. Okoye gasped when she saw the single dinner table complete with dining ware, candles, two champagne flutes and two seats. There was ambient music playing and dim lights, all things you’d see in a dinner date rom-com.
“Attuma this is beautiful” she stepped away to look at the sharks that swam past their table, as she approached the table she noticed a small square box sitting on one of the plates. “Whats this?” She looked over her shoulder at him.
“Open it” He ambled to her as she hesitantly picked up the box and opened it even slower.
“Oh Attuma this is gorgeous.. this is all so beautiful” she set the box down and gave him the hug she had been envisioning since she first saw him walk in her class. The moment his arms circled her frame and her nostrils filled with his inviting cologne her mind went blank.
Inside the box was a dainty layered necklace pair. One was a golden chain with jade beads and the other a gold chain with a sun pendant.
“Thank you.. I appreciate all the effort you put into today” Okoye found her voice once they separated from the hug.
Inside the box was a dainty layered necklace pair. One was a golden chain with jade beads and the other a gold chain with a sun pendant. Once she took them out the box Attuma secured them behind her neck.
“I enjoy your company immensely, I plan on doing whatever gets you hugging me like that for as long as you’ll allow” Attuma pulled out her seat still reveling in the traces of her perfume left on his chest from their embrace.
“You don’t beat around the bush do you?”
“I’m simply making up for lost time”
“Speaking of lost time… tell me what kept you drifting off in to space and so entranced with that book in my class” she leaned in slightly as if she was waiting to be told a secret.
Attuma’s face flushed at the mention of his beloved book. He had been up front with her up until this point so he saw no point in changing that now. “Poetry… or sporadic thoughts I guess you could say”
“Mm? Care to share?”
He hadn’t planned to divulge his poetic notions just yet and it was almost as if Chaac heard his minds plea because the waiters came out to get their dinner orders just in time. Once their orders were taken they each shared in rambling about their aspirations and interests outside of education. Okoye loved the way he tilted his head when he was giving her his undivided attention, and the occasional follow up questions that told her he not only heard her but he was actively listening. Once their meals came the chatter dialed back a notch only because the conversation was now accompanied by delicious food.
“Its after a good meal like that where I find myself relating to those guys” Attuma pointed over at the sharks
“Why is that?” Okoye gave a breathy giggle, amused by the random declaration
“Sharks love to be petted, they especially love belly rubs” with a toothy smile, Attuma sat back in his chair and ran a hand over his stomach, bathing in the sounds of Okoyes laughter.