Battles in the shadows

MEMORIES

Laura got up with a start, sweating profusely and breathing heavily. She had been visited by another nightmare. She wiped her face with her hands and lay back down on the bed. She wondered how long it would take to be free especially with all the madness around her. Tears blinded her vision has the reality of the loss of her father hit home.

She turned on her side facing the inbuilt wardrobe right in front of her. When her father was alive but didn't care, she had some form of "peace" knowing who he was but now he is gone for good. Pain unbearable hit her chest and she tried to get up but failed. She closed her eyes as the pain continued to throb and finally drifted back to sleep.

Faye was not able to sleep through the night. She replayed the entire scenario of the men getting shot in her mind until her mind stops at the declaration of Vincent's death. She was afraid her husband might not pull through but another heavy issue gnawed at her heart; Laura's painful and traumatic history.

What if she had stayed with them, would she have escaped such horrors? Witnessing Lorato Moloi's murder and then became a victim of sexual and emotional abuse. She got up from the bed and walked towards the window in the room.

The sun was just coming out slowly in its brilliance and glory, ushering in a new day. It didn't feel that way for Faye, it was a continuation of a season of torment and sorrow.

Meanwhile, Pontsho wiped a stray tear from her face as she held her wedding photo frame. She had slept off after shedding bitter tears but woke up again to her new tragic reality. Her husband's relatives have been informed and it was only a matter of few hours before her house becomes one of mourning.
"Me, Pontsho...a widow." She couldn't believe it herself. That man loved her more than himself. He fell in love with her and hard.

It didn't happen out of the blue , especially since Koketso also studied in the same university with them. She remembered his elaborate apologies each time Koketso's name seem to crop up. She remembered how he had proposed to her on a very cloudy August morning just after registering for their final year.

Vincent had bought different bouquet of flowers and sent them to her room. He left a note inviting her to dinner that night. Her roommate had been overwhelmed and made sure she got ready in time.

Thinking about that wonderful day made her even more sorrowful.

"Vincent, this was not our plan for each other. We were supposed to be together till we are old and rickety."

She regretted how she became a little distant since Laura's life became a part of theirs through the Watchman. She had fought with him and accused him of having extra marital affair with Koketso. But he begged her and assured her it was all untrue.

"Vincent please come back. I need you. Our children needs you. Vincent please!" her brokenness could be heard throughout the house as she wailed in sorrow of heart and spirit.

Angelique and her twin brothers rushed inside and sat with her to give their support. All their eyes were swollen too because of the continuous shedding of tears.

Their lives would never be the same...ever again.

*********

FLASHBACK

"You are the most beautiful bride in Botswana today and for life!" Mompati declared with fatherly pride and joy. His only daughter was about to get married and he couldn't be happier.

Laura looked absolutely stunning in her bridal gown. She was anxious but also happy that finally she would be Brandon's "one and only."

As her friends and mothers were taken photos, Vincent Moabe arrives.

The room went quiet but he was discouraged. Vincent and walked up to his daughter and knelt in front of her.

"Could you please excuse us for a while?" Laura had said with a smile.

Latoya was hesitant but followed everyone else out.

"Please get up." Laura said and he complied.

He sat on a chair by her side and took her hands in his. It was the closest he ever was to his first child.

He fought back his tears of regret and began to speak.

"Lauretta Moabe." He called her by her true surname...his. This made Laura smiled with happiness. How long has it been since she wanted this to happen? Her joy overflowed that moment and she allowed him to say what was on his mind.

"You are so beautiful Lauretta. You are an amazing young woman I am proud of. I regret I was not there for you growing up. I regret that I waited this long and was forced by circumstances to wake up from my selfishness. Lauretta, I am sorry. Papa is sorry. I will spend the rest of my life making it up to you."

Laura at this point was in tears. Her make up artist would have a fit when she comes in.

"I don't hate you anymore Papa. What if I was with you and Mama but couldn't have a good life because you might have been separated or not able to achieve your dreams. Terrible things happened to me but they are in the past now and today I have three fathers and four mothers. I am blessed with a wonderful man that will become my husband in few hours. Thank you for being a part of my special day."

"No nana (baby), thank you for allowing me to be a part of your special day." They had hugged each other and he finally stood up and took out a Gold necklace with a locket from his pocket and handed it over to Laura.

She opened the locket and inside was a picture of baby Laura which Koketso had sent to him after giving her up for adoption. The latter sent it to him while they were on campus and he had kept it hidden and it was only a few days ago he brought it out of where he kept it.

"I was a bad lover to your mother and a horrible father to you. I made that locket several years ago without the knowledge of my wife. She knew about you but we stopped talking about you eventually."

Laura kissed him on his cheeks.
"Your secret is safe with me Papa. Thank you so much."

Father and daughter embraced once again, sealing the life long contract of finally becoming a family.