all the stars ✨ T'Challa Udaku

[SIX]

T'Challa and Zala had finally told the elders of their engagement. The date of their wedding was set for a month from now. The wedding would also serve as Zala's coronation as queen.
T'Challa hoped the day would come faster. He was ready to marry her now - he didn't need the whole ceremony in front of the elders. He just needed the two of them and Zuri to officiate. But they would follow suit in the Wakandan tradition.

They sat with Shuri in T'Challa's office, going over the vibranium distribution. Zala stood by the window, looking at patterns for her wedding garb on her tablet. She had the best seamstress at her fingertips, thanks to Ramonda. Zala's kimoyo beads lit up. She tucked her tablet under her arm and lifted her arm, touching the beads to activate them. A holograph of her father appeared. Shuri sent him a pair of beads so that he and Zala could speak about her mother's health.

"Ubawo, It is good to see you" She said. "My dear Zala, I wish it was under better circumstances" He said glumly. "What has happened?" She furrowed her brows. "You're Mother has passed on" This caught Shuri and T'Challa's attention, "You must lead her into the afterlife as she did for those before her. I've already said my farewell but you have not. Remember, umntwana, this will be the last time you see her so say everything that you must say".

With that, he was gone. Zala whispered a quick 'sorry' to the King and Princess before rushing out of the room. T'Challa dropped his pen and rushed after her. He caught up to her, just as they made it to their quarters. Her face glistened in the light, moist from her tears. She wiped her face as he turned her towards him. T'Challa reached up, caressing her face. "Zala, you do not have to be strong with me" He said. Tears spilled over her lash line. T'Challa embraced her, allowing her to cry on his shoulder. After a few minutes, she gathered herself and stood upright.

"In order to guide my mother into the afterlife, I must enter a state of unconsciousness" Zala climbed into their bed, laying back. "I will leave  you to it" T'Challa said, turning to walk out the door. "Actually, do you mind staying with me?" She asked. "Of course not" He said, sitting on the edge of the bed next to her. Zala held onto his hand tightly as she closed her eyes. When she opened her eyes, she was back in the village, dressed in the same clothing she was wearing when T'Challa arrived. "You came faster than I expected" She heard from behind her.

She swung around to see her mother before her. "Umama!" Zala ran into her mother's arms. Jamilah looked the same as she had before she became sick. Vibrant chocolate skin and thick hair. It had been so long since she had heard her mother's voice to due her being in a coma. "You look beautiful, my child" Jamilah spoke. "Thank you, I'm sorry I could not be with you in your time of need" She said.

"It is okay. You did what you had to do. You protected Birihāni. And now you will become Queen of Wakanda" Her mother said. Zala made a face, shocked my how much she knew. "What will happen to Ethiopia when I marry T'Challa? What should I do?" Zala asked. "Your best chance for the West is either for you to give up the territory" She says. "Give it up? Then I'd have to give up the totem, my only connection to you" The Princess speaks.

"Zala, I am gone. You still have T'Challa and your father. You cannot dwell on the past. You must not. Bast planned for things to happen the way they are. You and T'Challa belong together - you always have. So go! Be with him! Become Queen. You will have as many descendants as the stars. Do not let me or anyone else hold you back. Now, go back to that King of yours who is waiting on you" Jamilah kisses her daughter on the head and stepped back. Everything went black and Zala's eyes flashed open.

T'Challa looked to her as she sat up. "How was it?" He asked. "Eye-opening. She gave me a lot  of answers. I feel more content knowing she's okay" Zala said, putting her head in his shoulder. "That's great. I'm glad you were able to say goodbye" T'Challa said.

"T? What do you think about us having kids?" She asked. "Of course I want kids, maybe two or three. Why?" He asked. "My Mother said that I would have as many descendants as the stars. I just wanted to know what you thought" Zala stood in front of T'Challa, arms placed on his shoulders. "Well I think we should get started" He said, pulling Zala on top of him as she erupted in laughter.