Battles in the shadows

WHERE THERE IS A WILL

David waited at the visitor's section of the hospital with Koketso and Mingie, Preston had to rush back to work. There had been no report or feedback from the doctors since they arrived almost thirty minutes back. Mingie was crying with brokenness of heart. She wondered how much more pain her friend would have to go endure before enjoying a happily ever after.

David stood up abruptly, incensed at the turn of events but even more against the absent Brandon.

"I don't get it! His new wife is lying there, she needs him more than ever and he is not here. In the entire country, is there not even a single person he could entrust his grandfather to?"

Koketso sighed in frustration. She also had similar thoughts and prayed that Brandon was not looking for the easy way out to abandon his wife. They both never had a good married life since the wedding. It has been one nightmare and disaster after another.

"Dear God, help my child to overcome this madness surrounding her and please let Brandon get his senses back."

About ten minutes later, a Doctor approached them and they all directed their full attention to her. She was a middle aged Indian woman with her brown hair tied in a tight bun. She had a gentle countenance and an aura of intelligence.

"I am sorry for keeping you waiting." She apologised genuinely.

"Is she pregnant?" Mingie asked ignorantly but expectantly.

The Doctor gave a small smile and shook her head in the negative.

"It seems she starved herself and is equally fatigued and under a lot of stress. Her body is weak and she is heavily dehydrated. I believe it must have been a while she last ate too?" She looked at David and asked,

"Are you the husband?"

"She is my little sister but the husband is currently out of the country so she lives alone."

"I see, but please from now on keep a close watch over her. She will get better soon and will be discharged tomorrow. We will keep a close watch on her so rest assured, she is in good hands."

"Thank you." Koketso said and asked, "Can we go and see her now?"

"Two visitor at a time."

"Yes Doctor." Mingie replied.

"I will go in with you Ma'am. Mingie please call Preston to put his mind at ease and I will call our parents."

Koketso felt the exclusion like the heat wave of a summer afternoon, hot and unpleasant. Despite everything, the Rakwela family remains her child's only family. She followed David and the Doctor meekly.

Laura was fast asleep and very much exhausted mentally and physically. The entire visit by her friend and family was unknown to her. She was lost in the darkness that surrounded her and had a temporary peace while she remained asleep.

Meanwhile, Brandon sat down with his head bowed as he got off a call from David. The latter had surprisingly spoke to him gently and gave him an update about the case and his wife's hospitalization. For about three weeks, Laura had been ignoring his calls and when she picks it she barely speak for five minutes before hanging up. He could hear from her voice from their last conversation just five days earlier that she was at her lowest and was burdened by the prosecution of Phillip and her father. Her biological father's death was still fresh and she was still in mourning but now new problem arose that needed her attention.

Grandpa Holmes walked to the living room where his grandson was seated. He was recovering from a heart attack and a fall but it was important that his granddaughter in law gets all the support she could get.

"Get the next available flight and go to see that poor child. I know you are afraid of leaving me behind fearing it might be the last time you would see me alive. I am very strong and will live to a hundred and counting." He chuckled lightly and patted Brandon at the back.

"I will be alright son, go to Lauretta and be her support and comfort her. You are the head of the family and you are leaving your wife defenseless at this turbulent time. I have Nurse Nancy to help me and Chef Anna, so go and save the situation. You have been sent as a special gift of God for Lauretta, don't forget that."

"Grandpa, it is so hard to deal with this. All the revelations about the abuse she suffered is just too much to process and even worse, four abortions! What if she could never have children again? Why didn't she tell me all of this before we got married?"

Grandpa Holmes slapped his head from behind and Brandon lifted his head.

"Have you forgotten the attacks that you all suffered before the wedding? Everyone was the target of that crazy woman! How was she to tell you on top of the craziness that her own brother sexually abused her and got her pregnant and made her abort? That girl is very strong and I respect her so much. You have a treasure in your hands Brandon, don't throw her away. She is the woman that would be there for you in the days of adversity and won't be running in another direction to avoid the problems of life. She is suffering greatly right now."

Brandon stood up and wiped the tears that had started to flow down his face.

"The truth is, I don't know how to help her. I don't know what to say to her, how to comfort her or even look her in the eye. I wish I could have prevented all that happened to her and delete these awful memories from her mind."

"Only God can truly heal her wounds Brandon, you only need to be there for her and make the yoke easy to bear. What would her family be thinking right now? The first thing would be whether or not you have deserted her? Maybe you want to divorce her after all you heard and maybe you will not even come back again?" He stopped to catch his breath.

"Brandon, the last time I checked, she had been living alone and her relationship with her family has gone south. She was not even able to say "goodbye" to her biological father because his family too are at war with her. Do you have any idea how depressing this is? It is as if the whole world is against her! Don't join that list Brandon, I raised you better! Don't forsake the wife of your youth, which is what God's Word says. Go before Him and ask for wisdom and grace to be the husband your wife needs." Brandon broke into fresh tears and held unto his grandfather in a tight hug.