Human Nature A T'Challa Udaku Short Story

Part 1

Looking out, across the nighttime

City winks a sleepless eye

Hear her voice, shake my window

Sweet seducing sighs

Get me out, into the nighttime

Four walls won't hold me tonight

-"Human Nature" by Michael Jackson

                                                                                               ***

T'Challa Udaku was lying. He had been for some time now. He felt like a Gemini twin. One side here with a life in Wakanda and another with life in the States. Now he was a king, and he had no time for lying. He had a country that looked up to him and there'd be no time after this moment for anything to blow up in his face. He twisted the chain around his neck and sighed. He glanced at the clock. It was midnight, on what should have been the happiest day of his young life. Except it wasn't. His phone pinged and he grabbed it off of the nightstand.

Queen: I know it's late, I hope your business trip is going well. Call me when you wake up. I love you. Sweet dreams my love.

"Business trip," the king sighed. "Another lie for the ages," he thought. Deciding he wouldn't get any sleep in his room he threw on some clothes and decided to go for a drive. He ignored the offers of accompaniment from multiple guards and Dora Milaje before pulling out onto the streets. A small smile graced the king's face as he drove through his hometown. Several of the clubs and restaurants were in full swing. People laughed and danced inside and outside of the establishments. He drove around the city center for a while, before deciding he needed to be alone. He drove to the edge of the city and headed off-road. Twenty minutes into his bumpy trek, the king pulled up outside of the Temple of Bast. The building scanned his vibranium birthmark before allowing him access to her silent depths. The king's footsteps echoed on the stone floor as he made his way to the garden of the heart-shaped herb. He took a seat on the edge of the stone walkway and let his feet sink into the water at the side.

"My king, you are here late," The high priestess's voice startled the new king. "Anai, I did not know anyone would be here tonight. I apologize if I am disrupting you."

Anai smiled. "It is no problem, the flower is it's most active and vulnerable at night. It is the best time to tend to the plants. It is also nice to be here when no one has much need of me. Zuri taught me that. There was something about this building that gave him peace, he hoped it would one day do the same for me."

"Has it?" T'Challa asked. "It has kumkani wam," the older woman smiled before making her way to stand closer to the king. "I assume that tonight it has found you looking for solace as well."

"I used to come here and ask the advice of Zuri as a young boy, I thought being here might give me some clarity of mind," the king confessed.

"Well, I am no Zuri, but I might offer my own advice if you wish." Anai offered. "I do not want to draw you away from your work Anai."

"Advising my king is part of my work. Besides, I am sure the herb will be glad to be rid of my incessant pruning for the night." Anai smiled and gestured toward her office. The king stood and followed the priestess into a small office. She took a seat in a small alcove carved into the wall. T'Challa opted for a chair that twirled slightly as it hung from the ceiling. "What is troubling you kumkani wam?"

"I have a dilemma that will hurt multiple people that I love. I know it is not right, but I have been lying to all of the people involved and I am afraid that me being king will make the situation for one of them worse. I am at a crossroads with how to go about rectifying the situation. I want to be honest, but do not know where to begin."