Battles in the shadows

INSPIRATIONS

Two weeks has passed since the sentencing of Phillip and their lives began on a new slate, unfortunately, an unhappy one. The High Court sentenced him to ten years imprisonment for rape and another ten years for the abortions but he was to serve them concurrently. The fact that he was a first time offender and has lived crime free since the last abortion, had tried to make amends with Laura and was completely a changed person made the Court to be lenient. The character evidence provided by his colleagues, wife and even Laura herself proved that he was not the wayward youth he once was. He was found to have acted wickedly by having unprotected sex with his victim, impregnated her four times and risked her life by going through unlawful termination of the pregnancies. All these shows that He was aware of what He was doing and should be made to pay for his crimes.

Laura didn't go to the Court house as she was still admitted at the hospital and was duly excused by the Court but the news reached her through Preston and Mingie. The latter told her how distraught her mother was as her son was taken away.

"His poor wife too sis, I felt like my heart would break."

Laura listened in on the phone and wiped her own tears. Her brother going to prison because he could not control his youthful lusts was devastating.

"And Papa? What about David?" She asked in between sobs.

"It's a sad sight Laura. I am glad you are not here. Everyone just fell apart all at once. And Laura?"

"Yes..."

"Your Mum said to tell you not to come to the house for a while. She is dealing with a lot right now and wants to put it behind her."

Laura covered her mouth with her other hand to stifle her sobs.

"Laura, take heart. This is the last of your troubles. It is all over now."

"Thank you Mingie."

As the line went dead, Laura cried like a child, she cried as she did when she lost Lorato Moloi. Her body shook with every sob that escaped her mouth. At that moment, she felt her heart would break into irreparable pieces at the latest tragedy that just unfolded. In the privacy of the hospital ward, she cried bitterly at how a strong example was made of Phillip.

******

A month later,

Laura typed away on the keyboard of her HP laptop, working on the proposal for a television documentary concept that God planted in her heart. A documentary meant to reconcile and build broken relationships, focusing on those that were abandoned; estranged partners, abandoned children and broken family relationships. They would do investigations and even try to find missing and family members in hiding and re-unite them if possible but all things are possible with God. The setting would cut across all parts of the country but she plans to begin in the southern parts first. Her field research would soon start and in a year or so time, she should have enough data and information as well as people that would be part of the program. She knew the project might receive opposition especially fathers or mothers in high position who like her father would not want to be discovered. The title of the documentary will be "Forget me not."

She took a sip from her orange juice and watched the night sky from her hotel room. It has been three weeks in Kasane, alone. Brandon was back to work and promised to visit before she comes back, for a weekend. Few days after Phillip's sentencing, Laura was discharged from the hospital and she immediately packed all she needed for her journey for inner peace and planning for the future. Brandon didn't want her to leave but he knew staying so close to her family would do more harm than good. He had taken her to the bus rank and asked whether such a long trip was good for her health and should take a flight instead but she refused.

"I want to have enough time to enjoy the road, read and sleep in the bus."

He let her go and on their side, their relationship was less strenuous as it was after their wedding.

Laura was forced to "cut ties" with her family as they were all grieving the terrible fate of Phillip and her late father's family were even more convinced she was cursed.

"Lord, I am all alone again but I am also not alone. Please heal my entire family and let them know that Phillip is safe and his future is in your hands."

Her phone ringing distracted her from her thoughts but she smiled when she saw it was Brandon.

"Hi Brand,"

"Have you eaten? Why are you still up?" He was clearly horrified. It was already passed midnight.

"Why are you calling at this time of the night?" She retorted.

"Just checking whether you were sound asleep."

She smiled brightly.

"I'm working on my project. I know finding those who were abandoned and those who abandoned them can wreak havoc but I strongly feel the need in my spirit for the power of forgiveness to work in our lives and nation. We need a revival and deliverance from the spirit of keeping grudges and hating men because of such stereotypes as "Batswana men are irresponsible." I don't want anyone else to go through the hell I went through."

"Darling, just take it one person at a time and we are in this together. We will keep praying for instructions, direction and revelation."

"Thanks Brandon, go to sleep now please."

"Yes Ma'am!!!"

Laura laughed lightly and bid him goodnight.

"Brandon?"

"Yes?"

"I love you very much."

"I love you too."

Laura saved her work and put her laptop to sleep. She stretched herself and yawned.

"This is your fault Brandon, falling asleep like this."

She tidied up and went under the covers. During the day, she volunteers at an orphanage for children with disabilities and at night she worked on her project and post articles on a blog she just started by the same name of "Forget me not."

"Lord Jesus, a lot of water has passed under and over the bridge and I know it is for a purpose; to bring hope and a new beginning to the people of Botswana. Good Morning Lord, Good morning."