Thunder and Lightning

Chapter 21: Equal

"Sign up sheets upfront  for final presentations !  No more class until the first  briefs . These presentations serve as your final exam, so make it good!" The professor's voice was as excited as the students felt for the closure of the semester.

Nzinga walked to the front and reached for the sign up sheet before brushing hands with a classmate. She quickly pulled back and apologized before looking up to see a grin on handsome brown skinned man. He was well over 6 feet and his body was strong. Nzinga blushed as he handed her the paper to sign first. She quickly scribbled into a time slot  and handed the sheet back.

"I'm Derek, by the way."

"And I'm Dru" she heard approaching her back. Dru reached forward and greeted Derek with a handshake a half hug combo reserved for the most casual of acquaintances. Nzinga's half apologized half laughed at Derek before heading off with Dru.

"What was that?" She playfully hit Dru on the should.

"What do you mean Nzinga?"

Mocking him " And I'm Dru, a big jealous brute". Her voice was low and rough in the way his was but it was more funny than a genuine impression.

He laughed . "Sorry. It was not jealousy, just curiosity"

"At what?"

" how you ensnare people with a simple touch or gaze. It's fascinating."

" uhhuh" She didn't believe him, but was willing to let the conversation go for now.

"Ok, it was also jealousy..." he said with a sheepish grin. " So we have an appointment with an investor who will write us a letter of recommendation and will also publicize the video once we're done to bring in more donations."

They walked into an office building in Chantilly, Virginia  that was among many contractors, security agencies and IT firms. The office was young, the business partner barely looked over 30. He was terribly handsome, almost perfectly so. Nzinga reddened in thought. She leaned forward to ask  "a creature?"

"Nope. Though his rise is pretty magical. I've known him for a while. He was orphaned and raised in the system. His mind is brilliant and he excelled in everything he did in spite of that. When I met him, he was trying to get his concepts out there. I couldn't help him really, but I did encourage him.  He invented some type of high performing software to do facial matching. That company sold for several millions. Hence he is looking to do something that is fulfilling. " Dru smiled the same way he once did when talking about his old and forgotten friends from the 60s.

The office was alive with enthusiasm and movement. People sat two to a desk happily sharing screens, debating on best approaches and methods, markers and hand flying and scribbling quickly. The desks were clean with white computers, clear of all paper and any kind of clutter, keyboards and mice.

"Hello Steve!" Dru greeted with a handshake and masculine hug. Nzinga and Dru followed behind  Steve to his office walking through the maze of desks and coffee stations.

"It's good to see you, Dru, and who is this young lady, I remember meeting a while ago?" Was she at homecoming?

"I'm Nzinga Roberts, Dru's classmate and project partner for this effort." She hadn't rememberd seeing him, but didn't explore the thought further.

Dru raised an eyebrow and gave a sly grin unconsciously pushing out a wave of jealous energy before continuing. "Nzinga and I would like to present the proposal and discuss your endorsement."

She gave no weight to the energy he pushed out. Instead she opened her computer and provided the printed presentation to Steve. Dru navigated the presentation and Nzinga spoke making each point clear and concise. Steve engaged with questions, and gave pointers for areas of improvement that Nzinga noted to later address. Once the presentation ended, she turned to Dru to lead the next part of the discussion. But before Dru spoke, Steve got up from his desk to grab something out of his cabinet the sat down. "I had already planned to endorse this effort based on the passion Dru spoke on this project," Steve said while handing Dru 3 copies of a sealed recommendation. 

Steve turned to Nzinga and smiled. She didn't smile back rather crooked her head to the side and narrowed her eyes.  Dru reached for Nzinga's hand, concern flashed in his eyes. She barely noticed the touch, but it was enough for her to sit back and cross her legs.

"Here's a check for $2500. Make of it what you can for the project. And if your project isn't approved, Nzinga can have it. The world deserves more people like you."

Dru let out an audible gasp. Instead of questioning it, he stood, shook Steve's hand before nodding to Nzinga for them to leave.

In the car, Nzinga said nothing. They walked into their apartment and Nzinga walked to the bedroom to decompress for the day. Dru followed behind her. She still said nothing. Nzinga showered alone, dressed in pajamas and thick cotton socks and sat on the couch. The pixies cooked stew that night, even though she insisted that it wasn't necessary. She cozied by the warm fire eating dinner and letting the fire spark.  Dru came to the living room and sat beside her wearing clean sweatpants and a black shirt after taking a shower.
"You did a great job today." Dru placed his on her legs pulled them across his lap.
"Thanks, you too"
"My words didn't get a man to write me a $2500 check."
"Nope, it didn't" sarcasm oozed from the slight grin on her face.
"Why are you doing this to me?"
"Doing what?" Nzinga retorted.
"What happened today? What was that look?"  Dru finally asked voice growing fierce.
"Your jealousy showed. Should I have cowered or lessened myself so you can feel secure?"
"My jealousy?" Dru rumbled.
"Yep."
"That's all you got to say?"

"I owe you nothing else. And if you think that if we mate, I will start owing you something then, you are wrong." Nzinga said quietly but firmly.

"If?" Dru's anger grew, his essence turning green searching for her strand's comfort.

"I will not comfort you every time you get jealous. Do not use me as your crutch. Your jealousy, is your jealousy. The moment you sent a power wave to me when I introduced myself,  you wanted me to feel your jealousy. But, I am the Celia that came after death. No man's cowardice or jealousy will have me distracted.  I will not take on that burden. " Her eyes flashed purple in true anger.  "If you care for me, you will understand that of me."

"And if you endeavored to truly know and care for me, you would see that I tried and everyday I try. I am not George.  I'm not  running from who you are, I'm not leaving you alone to face problems by yourself. No matter how strong you are." He growled and stood, her legs hit the floor.

"That may be true, but what was to come of her and her family was going to come whether George was a coward or not. As a result of Her sacrifice, not in spite of his cowardice, I am here.  It was her sacrifice that has powered my ancestors. And even more, it is the magic that grows in all black women that allow us to endure every pain, that allows us  to cry, but to also use those tears as motivation to take on the mantle of change and transformation. Black women do not get to wait for a Prince Charming in any of our fairytales.  We are the protectors of a people, birthers of a culture and keepers of the magic. Who else has endured our plight but still shines with the grace of goddesses? Even without Oya's power, I am still all thunder and lightning and no challenge before me is anything I won't face. These men who were supposed to protect us- they didn't. They ran."  she roared. "So you know what, I don't need a protector, I need an equal." Her purple eyes glittered and her energy radiated across the room causing the flames of the fireplace to overpower the alcove.

He stood not using a wink of his power, he surrendered to her. Understanding shown in his eyes. "You are strong, and beautiful  and you don't need my protection. That doesn't mean I won't offer it to you everyday as my own willing and equal sacrifice. You've had to be so strong for everyone, you've forgotten to allow someone to be strong for you. This connection between us requires , trust, honesty and most importantly vulnerability. I AM YOUR EQUAL. I am not you better half or the thing that completes you because you are already whole. But I am your best complement, and it is the power in US that will face every challenge, no matter your power. You will never be alone."

Her eyes flickered before returning to her normal deep dark brown.