Battles in the shadows

FIRST TIME MEETING

Koketso sat down to recline in her immaculate living room; alone as usual. It has been almost twenty eight years that she abandoned her child. Her heart knew little peace and she felt it was too late to reach out to her child upon finding her. A journalist had called earlier that day demanding for an interview about her life and claiming to know the skeletons in her closet. The said lady warned her not to inform the authorities nor anyone else otherwise her dark secrets will be revealed to the world and she will be eternally disgraced. She stood up and begin to pace around.

How did this person know about her past? How much do they know and what will they do? Would they ask for money? Blackmail her till eternity? All this wouldn't have happened if Vincent had remained faithful and agree to help raise the child.

Her heart began to beat even faster as the time for the interview drew close. At the strike of the cuckoo clock in her passageway, she looked at her Gucci watch; 1800 hours.

The doorbell rang and she quickly opened the gate. The journalist went back inside a car and drove inside the beautiful compound. Koketso came out of the house to find out the face behind the voice. As she closed the door the lady also came out of her car. Koketso received the best shock of her life. Her daughter was standing right in front of her, at her house. Tears ran down her face uncontrollably. She had dismissed the thought of reconciliation. How did she locate her?

Her body shook as she sobbed and cried openly. She fell on the floor weeping profusely. Laura walked triumphantly over to her mother. "Oh you poor dear." She teased. "I am Lauretta Rakwela. I am here to warn you to get your hands off Vincent!" koketso looked up and stood up still speechless.

"Isn't it interesting that the mighty and righteous Vincent Moabe and Koketso Molefe shared a sordid past and now it is all behind them or is it really?"

Koketso wiped her tears and walked inside with Laura following behind. The latter looked at the immaculate and ostentatious house, made herself comfortable and stared into space waiting for her biological mother to sit and start the discussions.

"Lauretta..." Koketso said softly with shame and relief written all over her face.

"I count myself as blessed that I was able to find you so easily. I will be honest, I already conducted DNA tests on the three of us after an anonymous person sent me a DNA test proving same. After seeing you at the party, investigations showed you were sworn enemies with Mr. Moabe and that you dated while at Senior Secondary School."

"I am sorry that I could not come to you first." Koketso said with a sudden confidence.

"Why did you visit him at the hospital? After all he did to you?"

"Please forgive me my child." Koketso muttered ruefully. Laura smiled.

"Miss Koketso Molefe. Forget that we ever met. Forget that you had a child called Lauretta. For that child is dead!" She said nonchalantly.

It all seemed like a dream; A bad dream. What happened to her child to make her so bitter?

"I used to wonder while growing up what you were like. I wondered if we looked alike, behave the same way or even have the same interests. I went through hell. The damage is done. Happy? You shouldn't have left me."

"I had no choice my darling. I had no choice because you were going to become an obstacle to my future especially after your father denied your pregnancy. I planned to take you back once I have made something out of my life. You were also doing well and..."

"WAIT!!! I don't get it. You're not shocked about my new identity." It suddenly dawned on her exactly what had been going on.

"You witch!" Laura yelled and stood up. She had promised God to be at her best behaviour which should come with a new life in Christ, but she was not prepared for this revelation.

"You've been following me all these years and you didn't think you should get me back?" "I ... I wanted ... you had a family. How could I tear you away from the only family you knew" Koketso replied unhappily.

"I hate you mama! I hate you! You've done well for yourself so go to hell! I hate you. I will never forgive you as long as I live!" Laura walked away and ran outside. She got inside her car but Koketso got out in time and rushed towards the car.

"Don't touch my car! Useless wretch! Open the gate!"

"Please Lauretta. Please forgive me."

"You want me to forgive you? Here is how." Koketso's face lightened up a little.

"Drop Dead!" Laura said through gritted teeth. With trembling hands she pressed the control button of the gate. As her daughter disappeared from sight, Koketso broke into fresh tears.

So, what do you think about this "re-union?"