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It was a little after mid-afternoon, more like creeping into evening when the first breeze came through, its whistle penetrating tiny cracks in the heavy wooden door. But it was ignored as the air had been brisky all day. He sat enjoying the warm homemade brew from his fruit trees. The second rattled the door with a wailing and a much stronger force than the first. It was the third one shaking the cabin with a loud moaning sound that gave him some concerns.
He sat his mug on the table, rose from where he was sitting, opened his door and stepped out onto the porch; peering out as one more strong gush sailed by. He walked several yards from his hut to the beach, looking into the distance as far as he could see. He is a creature of the sea who could feel the mounting moisture in the air and the troubling of the sea.
Closing his eyes, he became one with his surroundings, feeling it and knowing; a storm was coming, and it was massive. He turned away and started back towards his home and continued to the back to secure his animals. His two goats and three chickens he had in stock. They were not for consumption; but purely for the products they provided. He knew they would be spared the brunt of the onslaught, as his well-built shanty would take it on.
He proceeded to close the shutters and secure them with strong boards across them. Then he entered his hut, shutting and re-enforcing his door with a heavy plank placed in hooks on either side of it. He threw more wood inside the fireplace; he need not worry about electricity going out, his kerosene lamps will do the job. He thought of any and every possibility to prepare himself for the onslaught of the incoming monsoon.
She sped around in the jet boat testing it out pondering if she wanted to purchase it or not. The captain on the ship was getting antsy with the shore alerting him an unexpected storm surge was approaching at enormous speed. He radios her to bring it in so they can head back to shore before its arrival. She wanted to take one last maneuver before coming in. Her mistake; as a rogue wave fueled by the storms advancing power lifted her in the air and rolled on with her riding the wave far away from the huge ship. Everyone was in shock as they watched helplessly, as she was carried away and vanished before their eyes.
Reluctantly, the captain had no choice but to think about everyone else on his vessel and their safety. He ordered the ship back to port before they were overtaken by the storm. They will search for her once it passes over and hope some way she will survive.
He must have dozed off after he ate dinner and had sat before the fireplace, listening to the winds and thunder as it hit the island with its mighty strength. But that’s not what had awakened him. It was the screaming of the wind, sounding so much like a woman, it was eerie. He perked up when he heard it for the second time; it was distinct to his sharp ears; a woman’s voice calling for help.
He sat up to hear better, confused to who would be out in such a mess? They again, it came. He jumped to his feet and raised the heavy board up then opened the door searching frantically in every direction to see where the plea for help had come.
When the wave carried her away, she fought to ride it out to a safe place. She saw the island in the distance and geared her boat towards it as the first of the storm hit the winds helping her along. She crashed but saw the hut before she was knocked unconscious.
When she woke her small boat acted as a shield, protecting her from the fierce gales and torrential rains. She decided to scream out for help hoping whoever was inside could hear her over the surge and thunder. She saw the door open relieved and called out with the last of her strength before passing out.
He rushed to her aide with the wind's aide, the return will be the challenge. He got to her and picked her up, struggling to get back to his hut and their safe place as he fought through the gushes. Finally, making it back, he entered the haven and kicked the door shut. He laid her down before the fireplace then went to secure the door once again.
He came back to check on her and looked at her before the light of the fire and recognized who she was; the Wakandan general he fought when their two nations were at war before the alliance was formed. He hadn’t seen her since, and often wondered about her reaction when she awakens and sees him.
After the treaty between Wakanda and Talokan; he ventured out on his own. He wanted to see what life was like living on the surface world as his ancestors once had before their evolution. With deep thought he wondered what the purpose of the war, from its beginning; and felt it was an unnecessary one. He needed his space and left that world behind for the time being.
With a closer look, her lips were trembling, as well as her body. He bent down to assess the situation further. Her body temperature was dropping from being out in the weather. He has no idea how long she had been exposed to it. He had to act fast. She may not like what he must do, but her anger and being alive was the only choice for the action he was going to make.
He went and retrieved a heavy blanket, removed her clothing and his also. Then he laid down next to her pulling her into his body and covering them; sealing the warmth from him and allowing it to be like a heater. As much as he tried not to notice, he had to admire how beautiful and sleek her form, her skin was so soft, next to his. If this wasn’t a means to save her life, he could fall for her.
Amid waiting for her to respond to his heat, he fell asleep only to be awakened by her stirring in his arms. He looked over at her, she was resting calmly; more relaxed. He decided it would be best to remove himself now that the crisis had passed. He placed one of his shirts on her, then covered her up again, letting her continue resting before the fire. He put his clothing on and took a seat in his chair watching her carefully. The wind outside was going strong with thunder and lightning adding to it.
It was hours before she began to move again, but this time she woke up dazed. She looked up from under the cover and stared into his eyes. He became alarmed as she said nothing at first but look at him. He thought maybe she was trying to come out of the residue of her sleep.
“You saved me,” she finally spoke, rising up into a sitting position.
“Yes, I heard your screams for help,” he replied. “I was brought out of my nap thinking it was the wind at first. Then I realized it wasn’t and came out to see you.”
“Well, thank you,” she said, then saw she was not in the outfit she had worn. She gave him a look and sighed. “I must have been drenched.”
“More than drenched, you were almost freezing from the cold,” he explained. “I had to warm you with my body heat.” She stared at him knowing what he was saying. She turned away shyly.
“You are Talokanil, right?” She looked back at him.
“Yes, I am,” he said, nervously. She leaned in to get a good look at him.
“I know you,” she straightened up. “You are that big warrior from the bridge and ship. We fought.” He waited for her to verbally attack.
“Yes, I am,” he confirmed. She nodded in response, looking about assessing his dwelling.
“You live here?” She came to her feet admiring his home.
“Yes,” he answered. “I have since after the alliance.” She begins to walk about. He stood keeping an eye on her, knowing what she could do. Even with the treaty between their nations, scrimmages have occurred. Not many and none ever severe though.
“So, this is the afterlife you have chosen for yourself?” She looked at him. He was bigger than she remembered, and very handsome. But there definitely was something different about him. He wasn’t intense as before, more tranquil.
“This is the life I choose for myself,” he confirmed.
“I am no longer in Wakanda,” she told him. “I was stripped of my rank and out of my division.”
“But you were fighting on the ship,” he was confused. “Something the Princess created. I occasionally help when needed, but mostly I am here and there.”
“Are you hungry or thirsty?” he asks, seeing as they may be holding a conversation.
“I would like that,” she told him. He went to get her something to eat and drink. She sat back down in front of the fireplace and covered her legs with the blanket. He returned with fruits and nuts, and a cup of juice from his making. He placed them before her then he sat back in his chair.
“Thank you,” she says, and began to eat and drink. She hadn’t realized before, but she had not eaten since breakfast. He saw she was indeed in need of food and liquids.
“So, tell me, how is it working out being away from all you ever known?” He asks because he needed to compare what he felt with someone who is experiencing the same.
“About what you’re feeling,” she told him. “It is a whole new world, except for you its seclusion and for me it’s exploration. How is that working out for you?”
“I would not be truthful if I say I do not miss my home, nor my friends,” he said sadly. “And that at times it gets lonely.” She looked at him and saw him in a different light. He was who he was, an open book. He didn’t have to help her after seeing who she was, but he did even take drastic measures to save her, not knowing how she would react to it.
“Yet, you are not going back to that life,” she says.
“No, this is my home now. And with all that, I am content,” he replied.
“Even the lonely part,” she was curious to if he would ever want someone to share his life.
“If someone were to come along who was that perfect fit for me,” he stared into her eyes. “I would in a heartbeat.” She wanted to turn away, but he had locked their eyes and she felt the electricity flow between them. And it wasn’t from the storm outside but the one brewing inside.
“Thank you again, for saving my life,” her words could hardly come out as his eyes fixed on hers. “And for keeping me warm, the food and beverage; your clothing and shelter.” She rambled on.
“Of course,” he spoke, a smile graced his face seeing this great warrior so gentle and soft. He released their gaze and relaxed in his chair.
“That storm came in so quickly,” she looked towards the door. He became interested in how she got caught in the storm.
“Where were you?” He asked.
“I was on an island not far from here,” she started. “I was test driving that boat you found me under, to see if I wanted to buy it. The captain warned me the storm was coming and to return, but I wanted to take another run when a rogue wave came along and swept me away. The storm came afterwards.”
“I see,” he says. “Luckily it brought you here.” She laughed.
“That wasn’t luck,” she says. “I drove the boat towards the shore seeing the island. It was pure desperation.” He smiled hearing her laughter. He was enjoying her opening to him and being so comfortable.
“So, this nearby island, where you were planning to buy the boat,” he leaned in. “Was it a place of residence or exploration?” She stared at him, getting the sense of interrogation. She knows the drill as she has done it many times. The person gets comfortable with small talk, then the real questioning for information proceeds. She pulled the cover off her lap, then came to her feet with plate and glass in hand. He stood as well, confused with her sudden change of demeanor.
“I better take these and wash them,” she told him. He stepped towards her cautiously, not wanting to be intimidating.
“No, you won’t,” he said. “You are a guest in my home and will be treated as much.” He reached for the items, their hands brushing against the other. She felt this gentle surge of energy flow through her body; she inhaled deeply; her eyes automatically went to his. No, he was not the same warrior she fought those two times. He was very subdued and gracious.
“Twice before we had intimate moments,” she says. “And I am guessing one of a very in discreet nature here.” She was not showing any way of being modest, knowing he had seen her body. She knew he did it to help her.
“I understand the intimacy with sharing the heat from my body to comfort you,” he stated. “But what other time were we? Did I miss something?” She laughed lightly.
“Our battles,” she informed him. “We laid hands on each other in the most intense way, other than making love.” Now it was him, shying from the last part.
“I better go wash these,” he said and scurried away. She was getting to him as she did after the bridge fight. No one has ever been able to match his level of skills as she had that day. She went browsing around his place, peering into his bedroom.
Inside of it was a hammock hanging from two strong beams in the ceiling. Nothing more than a bamboo chair and a door she wasn’t sure where it led to, and she dared not to cross the threshold of his private space. She did notice around the wall were paintings.
“These are the stories of my life,” he came up to stand behind her seeing she was fixed on it. She jumped back and into him, startled. He gently grasped her arms; she wasn’t surprised how carefully he held her. She turned to him staring into his eyes, searching in the coral-colored orbs. She found solitude in them.
“Would you mind telling me what it says?” He felt a twinge in his heart, he wanted her at that moment; she was making it hard for him to resist, but he did.
“Sure,” he said and led her into his room. No one else had ever been inside there.
He described to her each image and what it depicted. His birth, his family, Namor and Namora, him becoming a warrior, his battles, their fight on the bridge and the one on the ship. She chuckled at the one on the ship and how he showed her kicking him off, and him flying into the sea. His eyes cut over to her noticing her reaction to that one.
“You laugh?” He asked.
“I am sorry, but you painted it,” she reminded him. He smiled.
“Yes, I did,” he says. “Did I lie? Or is that not how it happened?”
“No, that is awesome and exactly what happened,” she confirmed. “But you are brutally honest.”
“Is there any other way to be?” He asks. “I mean if you want to be true to yourself, that is.”
“No, to be honest with one’s self, the truth is important,” she walked out the room back to the fireplace. She was feeling fatigued. “You asked if I was visiting the island or living there.” She sat down, covering her legs once again. Away from the fire, the other parts of the cabin were freezing. He stood by the chair, sensing her getting tired.
“I did,” he says. “And you were stating something about being intimate, I get the feeling there was more you wanted to express.” She stared into the flames.
“We never formally introduced ourselves,” she says. “By our names that is. Mine is Okoye.”
“I am Attuma,” he came around the chair and sat. “Your name matches you, it’s beautiful.” She looked back at him.
“I am not sure if I am visiting or if it’s my home,” she was being honest. “Being truthful with myself, I do not know much of anything anymore. I feel like I’m just drifting along with no purpose.”
“You're searching for that, a purpose,” he reminded her. She looked up to him.
“At least you found your peace, not many do,” she told him.
“Yes, a lonely discovery,” he chuckled.
“What a pair we make,” she laughed at the irony of them meeting while fighting for a cause not of their making. Both meet again, but now with their freedom to do whatever they choose. His, a life of seclusion and hers, one of a wanderer.
“And what is wrong with us as a pair?” He asked not pulling back. She stared into his eyes, a sensation flowed through her, as she saw in them the truth. She looked away and sunk down halfway beneath the cover. His feelings for her were deep and she wasn’t sure she was ready for that. It’s been years that she has interacted with any man on this level, not since her ex-husband W’Kabi.
“I am little tired,” she told him. “I think I will get some sleep now.” She lay down facing away from him. She heard him get up and leave but returned minutes later.
“Here,” he said. She turned to see him holding a big plush pillow. “I have a couple of these and used them when I lay before the fireplace. You will find it comfortable and help you rest.” She took it and adjusted it.
“Thank you Attuma,” she smiled. It pleased him to hear her say his name.
“You’re welcome, Okoye,” it gave her warmth to hearing him call her by her name. “Have a good night.” At that moment, a thunderclap sounded sending a huge vibration through the building. She jumped; never has she liked the sound from childhood. He notices as she tries to cover her fear.
“Please don’t leave me,” she looked to him.
“Sure,” he said taking a seat in the chair.
“No, I mean come lay with me,” she reiterated, pulling the cover back. He let out a loud sigh, then came down to lie next to her, but placed the cover back over her.
“I will not be doing this with you, Okoye,” he expressed.
“But I want it,” she says to him.
“What about what I want?” He asked. She tilted her head, bewildered.
“I thought you wanted me,” she replied. He looked past her into the flames.
“You have no idea,” he told her. “And that is something you need to figure out.”
“You are confusing me,” she says. “I can see it in your eyes, why deny it?”
“What you see in my eyes is deeper than what we can do tonight,” he explained. “I do not want one night with you, I need forever. But that is not what you can give to me.” She sat pondering the words he spoke. They went deep inside of her.
“I see,” she finally says. “Will you still stay with me, at least until I fall asleep. The thunder sound is my weakness.” He moved to her side the cover between them.
“Yes, I will,” He laid his head next to hers on the pillow. “And until you awaken.” He spooned her as they watched the flames in silence. She felt he had rejected her, and her eyes began to water. The tears trickled down her face, he knew she was crying. He gently turned her on her back staring her in the eyes.
“You have no idea how long I waited for someone to come and live a life with me,” he says. “Never in my dreams did I know it would be you. I am not rejecting you, In yakunaj; never would I ever. You think this is what you want, but it is not. There is more that you need and that is what I will give you. Whenever you are ready, I will be here waiting. That’s how sure I am of us.” She will have to decide if she wants a life with him, or an adventurous life. She returns to her side and allows him to hold her, as they continue to gaze into the flames in silence. Outside the storm raged while a different situation developed inside.
As the morning came along with the storm moving on. Okoye woke to the aroma coming from the kitchen. She got up and checked her clothing, they had dried during the night. She was anxious to get back and resume the life she had mapped out for herself before encountering him. She took off his shirt and put on her outfit. He came out of the kitchen with plates and set them on the table.
“You’re up,” he said looking at her and seeing she’s had changed back to her clothing. “Do you have time to eat, before you leave?”
“I have to get back to my--,” she was going to say life, but refrained. “I have to let everyone know I am alright, before they panic.”
“And how do you propose to do that?” He asked. She thought it out.
“I have a radio on the boat, I can fix it and give my location,” she explained. “That is if you do not mind someone else knowing you’re here.”
“I do not mind,” he says. “But first we eat then I will help you get home.” Reluctantly, she agreed.
They sat and ate breakfast mostly in silence with a few words passing between them. She was in urgent need to get away from him, why? She couldn’t quite figure it out. Maybe he posed a threat to the lifestyle she had created for herself? Or maybe she wanted him to make wild love to her in a way she knew no other could. But he refused to do so without a commitment from her and she did not want to give up this freedom she had enjoyed for the past several years.
Most of her life before W’Kabi's treacherous ways and the Queen’s demotion, she has dedicated her life to him, and to her country. That dedication flew out the window with the two lost. These years she has done as she pleased, never second guessing anything she has done or said. Until that damn storm blew her here, to him. Now, she is questioning if she has been truly happy.
“I will see if I can repair your boat,” he interrupted her thoughts. He had finished and was on his feet. She went to hand him her place as he gestured for it. “I am not much of a mechanic, we Talokanil are not in need of your sea vessels. But I am a builder and can make it float.”
“I have a radio on board, I can give them the coordinates.” She informed him. He took the dishes and went into the kitchen. He thought the storm had brought about the mood of the night. But awakening up to her at his side, sleeping so peacefully sealed his fate. She was his one, but she had to decide that he cannot force her.
They left his hut and walked down the beach to the boat. It was upside down, but he was able to push it over. She checked the radio to see if it was still intact; it was. He was examining the outside to see if there were holes are cracks, when a voice came through the radio. His heart ached knowing soon she would be gone from his life.
“Hello, is anyone there? This is Okoye and I am stranded on an island,” she called.
“Okoye?” the man’s voice sounded out.
“Yes, it’s me,” it was the captain. They had started out early searching for her.
“Give me the coordinates and we will come for you,” he told her. She started to give it to him but paused. She looked up at Attuma, who had finished assessing the damage and was staring out to sea. He had made a life for himself here; she did not want to disrupt it any more than she had.
“Give me a moment captain,” she says to him. She went to stand beside Attuma, touching his arm. He looked down at her. “I do not want them to know this place. Can you push my boat in that direction far from here?” She asked out of courtesy; she already knew the answer.
“I will call one of the Orcas to do it,” his voice had a hint of sadness. He chose not to help her go back to something he knew she was not happy in.
“Attuma,” she came to stand directly in front of him, gazing into his eyes searching for what she saw the night before. She found more than she could bear and turned away; looking towards the life she would resume once she had gone. “Thank you for saving me and your hospitality.”
“Did I, Okoye?” He said, then plunged into the water swimming out and summoning a killer whale. He came back and helped her into the boat, pushing it far enough for the whale to carry it out to sea. She never took her eyes off him as he grew smaller with the distance growing between them. Once she could see him no longer, did she turn around and sit looking straight ahead, tears flowing freely.
Attuma turned to go tend to his animals with one last backwards glance into the empty spot her boat once filled. His eyes cast to the ground he had hoped some way it would have had a better outcome. He took a deep breath then continued with his life as he knows it.
Okoye’s heart was breaking, and she couldn’t quite understand. They had last tried to kill each other with their encounters. After the treaty, they hadn’t thought or seen each other. So, how this instant attraction could develop for one another is beyond her comprehension.
As the island vanished behind her the ship came into view. Seeing her drifting the captain stressed towards her, eating up the gap and came along beside her. She was assisted onto it and her boat secured to its side. The captain sought the island she spoke of but did not see it in sight.
“I have tried to locate an island in this area but saw none on the map,” he told her once they were on their way, and she had settled in.
“Island?” She stared at him.
“Yes, you said you were stranded on an island,” he reminded her. She took a few steps away from him, eyes fixed on the direction of where it would be. Where he was.
“I do not remember, captain,” she played it off. “I may have thought so, but no; I was in my boat.”
“That would have been impossible,” he lightly protested. “The gales alone would have shattered the boat and killed you.” She looked back at him.
“And yet, here I am, safe and well,” she says to him. With a hard grunt he took his leave. She stared off into the distance, to him and wondered how he was handling it all.
Several days had gone by without any contact from her. That night he had brought out his heavy liquor and did himself a favor to dim the pain. He got drunk and regretted it the next morning. He was out back, gathering eggs, goat’s milk and vegetables from his garden, fruit from his trees; when he heard a rumbling noise from the front.
He slowly made his way to see what the cause of the sound. It was a boat nearing the shore at a high speed. He fears they would crash the way they were approaching. Then they did a side swipe and slowed down, as they beached it. One look and he recognized the driver. She stepped out, eyes pinned on him, just standing there. She wasn’t sure if she would be welcomed the way she had left. But she was willing to take the chance.
He slowly started towards her; his body language told her all she needed to know. She ran to him and jumped into his arms, wrapping her legs around his waist and arms about his neck. His arm encircled her small waist, pulling her into him, and his hand cradled the back of her head, resting the side of his face against hers.
“Ta sajbe'en in wóotik (You came back my darling),” he whispered in her ear.
“Je'el in yaakunaj ka'a (Yes, my love I came back),” she confirmed. Her eyes were filled with tears of joy, knowing she had not lost him. She moved her head back to look him in the eyes. She placed his face between her hands. “I missed you so much I couldn’t do anything. I thought I had waited too long to come, and you would not want me.” He shook his head.
“I will always want you,” he confessed. “No matter how long it took for you to realize we belong together.” With that, he removed his mask and did what he had wanted to do; and kissed her deeply for the first time. She whimpered from the intensity of it.
He was her lifesaver, and she, his breath. This will mark their life of compromise. He was not alone anymore, and she had found what she had been searching for. He carried her into his hut and made love to her as she wanted, but more so as she needed.