Battles in the shadows

THE "PEACEFUL YEARS."

Thank you so much for your patience and support. I hope you will enjoy this new chapter.

Laura knew where she was going from the onset and worked extra hard to get distinctions in her courses throughout her four years as a Media studies student at the University of Botswana. The four years she spent there was dedicated solely to her studies. She went out with her friends when she needed to ...bridal showers, baby showers, birthdays; she was there when she could but she made sure she stayed clear of men. At this point, to Laura men were weakling like Lucas Robertson who could not stand up for their loved ones; perverts like Phillip Rakwela and wicked like Patrick Moloi. She was by now a gorgeous, confident and headstrong young woman with nothing in mind except achieving her career goals. She was a hardcore, no guy could get through to her. She was beautiful and intelligent but her innocence had been destroyed Life had thrown her a lot of pain but she had decided to live to the full and not allow anything to pull her back.

Out of the blue, on a cold winter day, Phillip, visited his sister at home. He was now also a graduate, working as a lecturer at the University of Botswana. Laura had just graduated three weeks back and was chilling at home. She had quickly adapted to her life of misery after the first abortion and built an iron wall against her emotions. After years of turmoil, she learned to be strong with no weak emotions like falling in love getting in her way. She was reading a novel when Phillip came in. Their parents were both at work, she was alone. Her heart went cold at the sight of him.

"Um....Hi! Where are mum and dad?" he said awkwardly. Laura eyed him suspiciously

"I know they are not home, I came to see you." he continued shyly.

"As if you need permission for anything you do with me." Laura spat out. Phillip began to rub his hands together nervously. He was no longer the bad guy. In fact, after the showdown Laura gave him four years ago, he had turned a new leaf and had since been begging for his sister's forgiveness. Laura closed the book and looked at him.

"I haven't seen you for a while lover! What happened?" she said mockingly with intense anger coating every syllable. Phillip fell on his knees and began begging for her to forgive him once again. Laura was shocked that he was so persistent and realized soon enough that he was serious after all about his "new life in God." At least that was what he claimed...gave his life to God and never looked back....blah blah blah...nonsensical stories!!!

"I have sinned against heaven and against you. Please forgive me?" Laura felt like a dormant volcano that could erupt in the nearest future but she kept her calm.

"It's okay Phillip." She said and stood up. "I'll be going to the mall, see you around" she said casually.

"Laura I know you hate me and you have every right to do that. I weep every night when I recall what I did to you. I should have been your protector but I became the one that destroyed your innocence."

"Phillip! I am going to the mall and this conversation...it didn't happen!"

"Please Laura."

"Listen and listen carefully perv, there is no amount of begging that can wash away what you did to me! I will never ever forgive you! You will never ever have peace in your miserable life! You made your bed of thorns Phillip, enjoy your sleep!" With that she left the house with her purse leaving him behind.

Phillip did not get any peace of mind. It was not an easy thing to forgive. He had raped her five times in three years and had harassed her sexually. How then could she let it go so easily? It really bothered him. He just became a Christian and will be getting married soon. He stood up, sat down again and sighed deeply. He hated himself for what he made her go through; he hated himself for what he did to an innocent person. He had acted like an animal and worse! An immature person and a spoiled brat. He hoped and prayed that she forgives him from the bottom of her heart someday.

It was a few months later that Laura got her letter of admission into University of Leeds in the UK to do her Master's degree in International Journalism. She counted herself lucky and blessed. Who would have thought she could become a "somebody" someday with her horrible and traumatic past and background? After excelling in her IELTS (The International English Language Testing System) test and did her medical screening and tests, she prepared heavily for her new life. She was grateful that she could have a brand new start somewhere away from her life of sorrow; a new beginning and an opportunity to sort herself out before coming back home again and maybe she wouldn't even have to come back if she finds a job over there. Anywhere away from everything that reminds her of all the pains and agony she had suffered in her homeland is paradise.

Through a thorough research and persistence, she applied for and obtained a partial scholarship while the rest was going to be paid for by her parents. The dark clouds will soon retreat and rays of sunshine will illuminate her life. Unknown to Laura and the rest of her family, new storms were approaching and the deceptive rays of sunshine peeping through will soon go back leaving behind nothing but wicked shadows of the past.