Redemption

Chapter 8

"Mama!" Zari leapt from behind T'Challa. She sprinted up the staircase and into her mother's arms. She buried her face in her neck, breathing in the smell of perfume after a long six years away. Fingers clutching the older woman close, the young woman began to cry, tears rolling down her face. Zari's mother pulled away.

"Oh my baby, my baby," her mother's kind eyes flooded with tears, her hands tracing the lines of her only child's face. "Baba," Zari switched turning into the tall man beside her. His arms wrapped around her, the smell of patchouli oil drowning her senses. The fabric of his shirt grew damp, the two reluctantly pulling away before Zari tackled her friend a hug. Tears quickly turned to laughter, the women settling on a hug, for a lack of words to say. "I don't know what to say," Zari breathed, her eyes shining as she stared at her family. For so long, the earth had kept them apart, and she had no way to fix that. She dreamed of them showing up on her doorstep, appearing out of thin air, to hug and comfort her. In her head, she'd told them everything, about school. How much she'd missed them. The words would spill out with the tears. Watering the front doorstep and christening the welcome mat. But now, with them standing on her steps, she was lost for words. The last six years of her life seemed to be lodged in the back of her throat.

"Why don't you start by telling us why you ran away from home?" her father interrupted her train of thought. Zari swiveled towards Isha, "You never told them?" her hurt beginning to plague her voice. The young woman shook her head, "Zari, he threatened me as well." Zari's eyes widened slightly. "Who threatened you Isha?" Zari's mother broke the silence.

"My Father," T'Challa answered for the girls. He walked over Aiden sitting on his shoulders. His large brown eyes zeroed in on his mother. "Mama, why are you crying?" Zari smiled faintly, T'Challa allowed the child down. His feet immediately carrying him to his mother. "Is this him?" Isha asked, stooping down to face Aiden, the little boy held onto his mother's hand, cautiously taking a step towards the stranger. Zari nodded. "Who are you?" Aiden asked.

"Isha," Zari's friend extended her hand for Aiden to shake. "Aiden, this is your aunt," Zari nudged her son. A small smile spread over his face before he accepted Zari's handshake. "Zari what is going on?" Zari's mother turned to her daughter once more. "Let's talk inside. I'm sure you both have a lot of questions.

[ 2 Years Ago, New York and Wakanda ]

The door to Aiden's room shut softly. His light snores drifted from under the door. Glancing at the clock, the soon-to-be college graduate knew it was time. She dialed the king's number and waited. "Hello?" the king answered.

"King T'chaka? This is Zari," she began. "Hello, my dear girl! How are you? How is the boy? May I speak with him?" The king fired off.

"When Hell freezes over," the woman thought."I am afraid he is asleep my king," she answered.

"Very well then, what can I do for you?" the king asked. "I am set to graduate soon," the girl began again. "I know. I am so proud of you. Your cords and cap and gown have all been paid for already. Was there a problem at the school?"

Zari interrupted, "No,no it's just. I sent tickets for my parents to the palace. I was hoping you would let them come," she trailed off. "No." The only word from the king's mouth. "Please your majesty. My parents should be here for this. They already think I ran away. They won't suspect a thing. If they ask why I'll say it's because of Aiden. I was pregnant, and I didn't want to get T'Challa in trouble," Zari was pleading now.

"No. Zari. I am afraid that is not possible." The king ended. The line was silent for a minute before he spoke again. "Do send pictures of you and the boy." The line clicked.

"Baba, who was that?" T'Challa strode into the room a minute later. "No one important," T'Chaka dismissed. "It sounded like family," The prince tried again. "No. One. Important. T'Challa." The king roared suddenly. The prince took a few steps back in shock. "Do you not have a meeting to attend?" The king sighed. The prince nodded his head silently. "Very well then. I have work to do." He dismissed T'Challa with the wave of a hand.