Battles in the shadows

REJECTION

Shalom wonderful readers. It has been long!  Life has been hectic this past month with many losses but in everything, we give thanks. So, here is a whole new chapter to continue where we left off...

Laura watched the dishes in silence after they had breakfast. She ate nothing but downed a glass of juice. Her mind still could not comprehend that her father was no more. Tears fell from her eyes into the soapy water in the sink. She wept for the lost time and the time she would no longer have with him. He would never get to see her children. She would never have the opportunity to visit him or go on holiday with him.

What a complicated world. When he was not there, I detested him and now that he is gone forever, I love him and yearn for him. Papa come back.

When she finished doing the dishes, she went up to prepare to visit her father's grieving family. Brandon was trying to keep their visitors company. Faye had taken the opportunity to ask questions about Laura especially what she was like when they met and her current character. Brandon filled her in on all his experience with her and how she was now changed for the best and living her life positively until of course their honeymoon.

"What happened?" Faye asked with curiosity and concern.

"I believe Lauretta is in the best position to explain that." He got up and excused himself.

"She went through hell Mum and no wonder that woman attacked everyone around her." Lauretta Junior said with feeling.

"And now she has all this guilt over her head now that Mr. Vincent has passed away," Luke stood up and began to pace around the small living room.

"I have a feeling this nightmare has only just began Mum. Things are about to get really tough." He added.

Just then Laura joined them in the living room, dressed casually in a navy blue ankle length skirt and a plain blouse. Her hair was wrapped neatly in a cute Turban styled black scarf.

"Are you going somewhere?" Elizabeth-Anne asked.

Laura smiled tiredly, "I'm going to see my Father's family. I need to give my condolences and comfort my siblings."

"I'll come with you!" Brandon offered.

"No Brandon, kindly drive Mum to see Dad at the hospital along with the twins and Elizabeth."

She said her goodbyes and didn't wait another second. She got inside her car and drove out into the cold morning. She switched on her music player to gain some distraction so she could keep her eyes on the road.

Etizz's "He will never leave me" came on. Instead of forgetting her pain even for just a moment, the words of the song only compounded the heavy feeling of loss she felt. The words of comfort that God will never forsake her reminded her why she needed those words in the first place. She drove slowly, rehearsing in her mind what she would say to Pontsho and her siblings. Words failed her miserably as her aching heart beat faster against her chest. But what was waiting for her at her destination would change everything.

**********************

Pontsho slept off in her room as visitors from her side of the family and her husband's side gave their condolences to her children. She was heating up and had a head splitting headache which caused her to eat, take some medications for the pain and she slept off.

"Angel, you have to be strong for your mother and your brothers. As you can see now that your mother is down completely with grief and we don't want to lose her too." Her Mother's elder sister spoke gently to her, holding her hands and rubbing them.

"Dad...He doesn't deserve this. How could he leave us alone? How could he leave Mum all alone?" Tears fell down her face.

"Angel, be strong my dear. God is with you in this time and we are here for you too." Her paternal Aunt said in encouragement.

The mourners were interrupted by the ringtone of the doorbell. Obakeng stood up and looked through the intercom camera at the visitor. His hands balled into fists as he saw Laura standing there looking totally grief stricken but he was not moved. She caused their father's untimely death and so she was not welcomed.

"Who is it?" A male middle aged relative asked.

"I will take care of the intruder!" Obakeng bellowed and ran out of the house with the main gate's remote  in his hand.

"OB! OB!" Angelique shouted after him but he didn't stop. She stood up and was followed by her Aunts.

***********

The gate opened and Obakeng came out, his face filled with fury.

"You are not welcomed here! Get off our property and never come back!"

"Obakeng! Don't be like this I beg you."

"You killed Dad! You killed him the same way you killed and hurt everyone that had ever tried to help you! You think you are special? You are a curse and now you have made our mother a widow! Leave!"

Laura felt shame and guilt as her brother's words rang into the cool morning air, breaking through the quiet and ostentatious neighbourhood that screamed "MONEY!"

"Obakeng, I came to check how you are all doing. I came to check on Mum..."

"Stop right there witch!" He interrupted her rudely.

"She is not your mother! Your mother is the slut that caused this nightmare along with you! You killed our father, you bastard!!!"

His words pierced at her heart like a searing iron.

Angelique and everyone else came through to see the scene. Shocked at her brother's cold words, Laura moved back as the reality of what just happened hit her like a heat wave.

"What are you doing here? Please leave Laura, we don't need you to remind us about what happened." Angelique said softly.

"Angel, Obakeng, she is your elder sister and not a stranger. Were you guys not there celebrating her wedding not long ago? Please stop all this drama." Their grey haired neighbour said with sympathy.

"Please Aunty, don't get involved," Angelique began to say.

"Don't come back here and I don't have to tell you that you are not needed nor wanted at the funeral."

"That is not your call to make Angel! She is the eldest of my brother's children and deserves some respect. Your father made a mistake in his past and it has caused him his life. Stop making her look like a culprit."

"I will take my leave now. I am sorry for the commotion. Please inform me about Dad's funeral arrangements."

"Don't count on it witch!" Obakeng hissed and went back inside the house and Angelique followed.

Laura with head hung in shame, apologised to the elders once again. Vincent's elder sister took hr aside to speak to her.

"As you know that our parents are still alive and this has broken them apart. They love you but this is not the time to come around anymore. It is a sad time and we are grieving. Laura, we have accepted you into the family but seeing you at this time will make things worse. I do not support your siblings' disrespect and I want you to know we will keep you updated as time goes on."

The Aunt hugged her tightly and led her to the car.

"Go well Lauretta, drive safely,"

Laura obeyed and slowly drove out of the lavish driveway.

"That child has more pain than we do right now. She is suffering deeply."