Battles in the shadows

HATE TOO...COMES SOFTLY

Two weeks after Laura wrote her form three exams (Junior Certificate Examination, she lay on her bed reading a Nancy Drew novel. It was just five days before Christmas. Her nightmares had been curbed by her parent's love and kindness. She was no longer living in the shadows of the past. Though Philip hated her, it did not matter. They loved her unconditionally. Just when she was completely engrossed in the story, a gentle knock interrupted her.

"No way!" she cried in annoyance. She hated being interrupted whilst reading.

"Come in" she said reluctantly with a roll of her eyes.

She had been groomed by the Rakwela into a loving and kind young lady. She was now 16 years of age, beautiful and all grown up. Phillip entered the room; he too had just finished his BGCSE (Botswana General Certificate for Secondary Education). That has not made him responsible, he was good looking and he knew it, light- skinned, brown eyes and tall with muscles. He was quiet a catch. Laura secretly wishes sometimes that they were not siblings, she would be grateful if he could date her.

"Hey bro! What's up?" Laura said cheerfully.

She knew it was never going to work out between her and Philip. He hated her for taking his place and getting all the attention. She never in her wildest dreams expect what happened next. Phillip slapped her hard across the face.

"You witch! You are nobody! A witch!" he yelled at her.

His eyes were blazing with pure hatred and anger. Tears ran down her face. She had been trying to please him for the past two years but had failed to reach his heart.

"You want to kill my mother too? Like you did to Lorato Moloi! You want to destroy my family? Mom has just been hospitalized and guess what? She has high blood pressure and hypertension. Do you know why?" he was shouting and pointing at her.

"I have nothing to do with it!" Laura yelled back.

"Stay away from the hospital! Stay away!" he warned her and left. More tears ran down her face at such a miserable existence she has. How was their mother getting sick her fault anyway? She got out of bed, walked to her bathroom and washed her face. She decided to remain calm and respect his wishes. She won't go to the hospital now but will wait for their father to come back and follow him.

Later in the night as everyone slept off, Phillip was wide awake. He was alone with his brother and Laura in the house. Their father had just left for the hospital and bid them farewell and convinced Laura to remain behind because he didn't want her to see the state his wife was.

Phillip tiptoed in the darkness with a mission. He opened Laura's room gently and went inside closing the door behind him. Laura woke up immediately and switched on the side lamp. When she saw him she felt a wave of fear rushing all over her. He didn't seem angry this time. He sat on the edge of the bed.

"Laura I want us to make a deal, if you agree then we can be best of friends." He said flirtatiously. Laura kept silent.

" I'll show you on Christmas night what I mean." he added with a smile, stood up and left. Laura was utterly confused. What has gotten into him? Why was he friendly? He definitely was up to no good.

BOXING DAY, DECEMBER 23RD

Mr. Rakwela and David left for the hospital again leaving Phillip and Laura alone in the house. After dinner, the latter went to her room to avoid any confrontation with Phillip. Twenty minutes later, Phillip entered Laura's room uninvited.

Laura just came out of the bathroom. He knew she would. Her routines were all known to him and he planned to take advantage of it.

"What do you want?" She asked in a shaky voice. She knew his silence was too good to be true. She should have locked her room but she doesn't do that because her parents wanted free access especially at night in case she has nightmares. She tightened the knot on her bathrobe and moved away from him.

"We are alone dear "new addition to the family."

"You have not answered my question Phillip! What do you want?"

He smiled then turned towards the door, locked it and put the keys in his pockets. That action sent shivers down Laura's spine. What was he trying to do? What has he planned for her? Would he beat her to death?

He came closer to her and grabbed the collar of her pink bathrobe.

"Let me go!" She shouted. That earned her a punch in the face. She fell down with her hands on her face. He begin to kick her side continuously until she was too weak to fight him. He carried her tired and pained body on her bed.

"Phillip...no. Please don't. Phillip please."

Just before midnight to Boxing Day, Phillip hadraped his sister and didn't feel any remorse. He was a big guy now as he would be going touniversity in the next year. He had planned everything well. He had punched a small hole on two tyres of his father's car and that would keep them busy for a while...enough time to deal with the wretched soul called his sister.

And so, Phillip deflowered Laura, the orphan child brought to be cared for in their home. From the night of the rape onward, Phillip becamea new person; he was very kind to Laura when their parents were there and whenthey were not he would abuse her sexually and emotionally. Laura was too ashamed to speak out. Who would believe her anyway? Even Phillip threatened she would be taken to a mental institution haven been a nutcase before anyway. Laura felt like dying. Her dignity was stripped off and all that was left was a battered and bitter soul.