Redemption

Chapter 3

III.

[6 years ago]
The warm Wakandan air flowed in and out of the window. The smell of street vendors food caused and intense wave of nausea as Zari sat on her colorful bed in her bedroom. Their home overlooking the city was silent as Isha rubbed circles on Zari's back as panic bottled up inside her.
"What do I do if they are positive Isha? He is supposed to be celibate until marriage. Having a baby kind let's everyone know you broke that tradition," Zari whimpered as the timer beside them counted down.
"You act like you are the only one involved Zar. It was consensual he made the decision to be an active participant as well. You know he is crazy about you, I wouldn't be surprised if he proposed on the spot." Both women started laughing.
Silence filled the room as the alarm beeped. Zari took a deep breathe as Isha flipped them over.
The next day found Zari leaving her first doctors appointment. When she exits the office she bows as the king approaches her. "Your majesty," she greets him as she stops walking.
"Miss Fandi, I believe congratulations are in order," he smiled at the young woman. Zari's heart jumped into her chest, it seemed as though it was moving 2,000 miles per hour as she stood frozen to her spot. "Congratulations?" She sputtered.
"Yes, I was. Concerned when you picked over your food at brunch this morning and were immediately sick after, I decided to inquire after you with your doctor. Where I learned that you are with child. Though I must ask, is it my son's?" The king lowered his voice as a group of nurses passed by.
"Yes you're majesty. No offense but I am quite offended that you had to ask." Zari stepped back from the king.
"I am sorry, but as you know sweet girl, it is tradition that the prince and princess are celibate until marriage. That is why I had to ask."
"I'm sorry we did not follow tradition your majesty but this child is T'Challa's," Zari looked up at the king. "I see, you must not tell my son. I am assuming you will abort? I know it is very uncommon in Wakanda, but exceptions can and will be made in certain circumstances," The king began.
"With all do respect your highness, I plan to keep my baby, and I must tell your son, it is his child too and he has the right to decide if he wants to be involved in this baby's life as well," Zari bowed to the king. "Good day your majesty," she curtly nodded before rushing away down the hall.
[Present Day]
"Zar!" T'Challa's voice startled the designer. "Yes, I'm sorry what were you saying?"
"The doorbell was ringing, I didn't know if you wanted me to grab it or not." The young king asked. "Oh no I've got it," Zari replies pushing herself off the couch.
Zari shook her head slightly as she walked towards the brown door. She pulled the smooth handle down and pulled the door open.
"Heyyy!" Melanie yelled as she pushed her way through the door. Zari's eyes shot open wide as the petite woman sashayed through the door. Her wide hips swang with each step.
"So the market up the street stopped selling wine apparently. I don't know who does that. Like it's a Friday night, what New York household doesn't have some need for a good bottle of wine? But anyway. I found a nice bottle of peach sangria and I grabbed some pizzas for the movie marathon. So I hope you supplied the desserts and movies. Zar?" Melanie turned to face her friend who was just standing there.
"Earth to Zar!" Melanie repeated. "A little help please?" Melanie handed her friend the pizza before she snapped out of it. "Mel I should've called you. I can't tonight," she sighed quickly placing the pizzas on the hall table.
"What do you mean you can't, it's girls night. Of course you can," she shifted all her weight to one leg and pooped out her hip. "You can right?" Melanie's face dropped slightly.
"I'm sorry Mel, maybe next week, I'll send Aiden to Mrs. Richardson's or Dion's house or something. But not tonight. I just can't tonight." Zari sighed.
"No is it about today?" Mel sighed grabbing the pizzas and walking towards the kitchen. Zari quickly ran and blocked her path. "It may have a little to do with today."
"Zari, move don't you see my hands are full?" Mel complained. "I've seen your house a mess before, one more time won't hurt. I'm not letting you grieve alone."
"Mel, I can't let you into that kitchen," Zari insisted as she moved to block the woman again. "Zar, what are you hiding from me," Melanie pouted.
"What I'm not hiding anything," she blurted quickly. "Zar, you're a horrible liar," Mel shook her head.
"I heard the commotion, can I give you a hand?" T'Challa's deep voice frightened the women as he walked up behind Zari.
Melanie's mouth fell open as she handed over the pizzas. The king smiled before heading to the kitchen. "Who is that?" Melanie hissed once he was out of earshot."
"That is the reason you have to go," Zari turned her friend around and pushed her to the door. "First you're going to answer some questions though." Melanie shrugged off Zari's grip. "First off, if you wanted to get laid, that's all you had to say. Number two, who is that and where did you meet him?" Melanie smirked.
"His name is T'Challa Udaku," she looked down and mumbled, "king of Wakanda."
"Excuse me, come again?" Melanie exclaimed. "Your baby daddy T'Challa is a king?" The woman shook her head, "scratch that, your baby's daddy is here and is a king! You know what. Keep the food, I'll see you at work and you're going to tell me all about it."Melanie handed her friend the wine and winked. "Have fun baby girl, let your hair down a little. You guys already had one kid," she kissed Zari's cheek before walking out the door.
Zari shook her head as she walked back into the kitchen. "I am sorry if I interrupted something," The African king apologized.
"No it's fine. She had an emergency meeting anyway. She left the wine and pizza for us to enjoy though." Zari gestured at the boxes as she grabbed two plates from the cabinet.
Her hand brushed T'Challa's as he grabbed a plate. She blushed and quickly reached for a glass. "Here, let me help you," his voice lit a fire between her legs and pressed himself to her back. His hand closed over hers and brought down the glass. She turned and stared between his chest and the floor.
"Thank you," she breathed.
"No problem."
"Uh, I hope you're hungry. Melanie and I just always get sausage and supreme. It's just a girls night usual," Zari explained as she pulled open the flaps on the side of the pizza box.
"You have a beautiful home," T'Challa complimented as he watched her fiddle with the boxes. "Oh thank you," Zari blushed pausing to turn and rest on the counter. She drummed her fingers mindlessly on the counter behind her.
"Do I make you nervous Zari?" T'Challa sat up. "No," Zari scoffed. "Why would you think that?"
"No reason,"he smirked. Zari turned and began to fiddle with the boxes again. "Damn it." She sighed. "Would you like some help?" The king offered. He walked towards the woman.
"No I've got it," she hissed. She slammed her fist on the counter. "Zar it's just a box, let me help you."
"No T'Challa! I said no. I..." Zari paused to collect her thoughts. She rolled over to lay against the counter and crossed her arms. She sighed and dropped her head in embarrassment. "T'Challa... for the past six years I have had to do everything alone. Raise a kid, go to school. Not even my parents know they have a grand child. I haven't seen my best friend in years. I wouldn't even know how to reach them. My kimoyo beads were confiscated. I don't even know if Wakanda has an area code! I didn't even know what an area code is. I had to learn a whole new way of life T'Challa, alone. I built a nice life, with nice friends, and a good job alone. And now you show up and I can't even open the damn pizza box."
T'Challa stares on in silence as guilt creeped into him. "Zar. I'm sorry. If I had known," he began. "No it's not your fault I'm just frustrated with myself."
"Let me help you Zar. You'll never have to do anything alone again. Let me take care of you." He gripped both of her hands gently. "Please."
"We should probably eat before the pizza gets cold," Zari pulled away and walked over to the boxes. "Zari,"
"Sausage or supreme?" She asked holding up two slices. "Zari please."
"Just let me think about it ok?" She sighed grabbing her two slices and sitting at the island. T'Challa nodded silently. He poured them both a drink.