Chapter 8 Life of Lati and Dino after Ten years

(TEN YEARS AFTER)

Lucas, Mitah's child was fondly loved and overprotected by his grandfather, Lati. Lucas had grown into a cute and smart boy. He would he turning eleven the next year. He was light skinned and his lips were pink! Since Lati lost his daughter a lot of things had changed in his life. He grew lots of additional beards he hardly shaved until two years ago. He almost ran mad, and had spent several months in rehabilitation centre. However, he found solace in his grandson Lucas, He would do anything to protect him as he was his only hope. He always saw Mitah in his eyes. During the times Lati was in the rehabilitation centre, Lucas was left in the care of Lupam their maid and Lati's friend, Camp checked on them from time to time and most times bringing beverages and groceries for them Camp also oversaw Lati's mega poultry farm until he was discharged.

"Off to the school now, Lupam please assist me with my bags to the car, they contain my drawing board and other equipments" Lucas said then turned back as if suddenly remembering something

"Oh Grandpa, you promised to tell me what I asked, this morning".

"Not now, you're late for school". Lati replied focussing his attention on the newspaper that he was reading. "Okay when I get back then". Lucas said.

"It depends," Lati screamed after him

The boy Lucas wouldn't just stop asking about his mother. A story that Lati would never like to tell. He wouldn't say that out. He had become a drunkard for ten years. He drank to state of stupor almost everyday to forget that unfortunate day when he mistakenly killed his daughter with a bullet that came from his own gun. He retired from the Public Service as a General. He had stopped being a soldier and holding guns. It now terrified him, as his hands used to shake whenever he did. He was a shadow of his old self. He was always gesticulating – "I killed my daughter.. I killed my daughter" People thought he was insane. Only his friend, Camp knew he what he was saying is real. When he was at the rehabilitation centre, one of the nurses got curious, so she asked Camp one of the days he came visiting

"Did he really kill his child?.He is always muttering, He killed his daughter, he killed his daughter. That's the only statement he says apart from "Good morning, Good night and Let me out of here" The nurse asked.

Camp heaved a sigh .he was silent for some seconds, Unsure of what to say then he said: "No, he didn't kill his daughter actually. He just kept blaming himself because ahm,... he had a dream when he was warned to tell his daughter not to step out that very day and he didn't heed and ignored the message in the dream. That's why" Camp lied.

"Oh, okay, I get it now. But one shouldn't always ignore a dream message. I am Catholic and I hold every message in the dream in high regard"The nurse said.

"Oh, well.. General is just someone that doesn't count them serious"Camp said trying to smile. Three months to that time, Lati was discharged from the rehabilitation centre.

Only Lati's Friend Camp and a Reverend father knew the truth about Mitah's death. The rest of the world all had impression that the kidnappers shot the General's daughter as that was what was announced on the news.

However, three years after the incident Lati managed to gather himself together he Sold his large poultry farm and became a shareholder in the Governor's company.

Lati was driving by coming from the bar where he went to have a bottle of beer..

On his way, he saw two girls trekking and one of them was crying, she was crying so heavily that Lati guessed her head would ache do much. She was a teenager. Both girls were. The other one kept consoling her. Lati came down from his car and approached the girls. "Wait girls" He said but as he came down, Voices erupted from some couple of men who were known for extorting money from affluent people by hailing and praising them

"The Great General! You are undefeatable. My man" One of them said moving closer to his Car as the others too were seen murmuring praises behind him

"Don't break the car glass. It costs a fortune" Lati cautioned

"Haa..No sir. We just want you to bless us"

"Bless you? How many times will I do that this month? I hope you know I am retired already"

"Yeah..but we know you have still got some business running" The man teased. Lati rolled his eyes dipped his hands in his purse and brought out some cash.

"Do not bother me till this month is over" He warned giving them the cash. The men hailed him one more time and left to their seats.

Lati faced the girls, the reason why he parked in the first place.

""Hey Girls. What's wrong. Why the tears? He asked.

"She made a mistake in her exam today.

It is a certificate exam. She forgot to submit the extra sheet that contained about ten questions. The subject is

Mathematics" Her friend replied sadly.

"Is that true", Lati asked facing the girl. The girl nodded still crying. Lati sighed heavily. He touched the girl's shoulder. "So you are crying because you made a mistake. But you've made it already. So it is useless to cry and besides there are more terrible mistakes, people make out there than yours".

"What other mistake could be more terrible than this?" The girl shouted timidly still crying.

"Like a man mistakenly killed his daughter?" Lati replied staring at the girl as he gave a bitter smile.

The girls were shocked to hear that and probably thought he did not know what he was saying. " Killed his child? Christine, let's go. Thank you Sir". the second girl said as he dragged Christine along who continued to cry

"These kids know nothing." Lati shook his head as he headed back to his car

Lati loved Lucas and provided anything he wanted for him except he does not allow the boy to visit people or his friends as he wished. He feared one way or the other, he might come across his father who could take him away. However as much as he liked the boy, there was a particular period he passed through trying times remembering what had happened between Dino Martin's father and himself and what he did to him. Whenever he stared at Lucas, he used to feel an upsurge of resentment because he was a descendant of Dino's father, Paul Martins. He struggled with the hate but it kept coming. For that period of time, Lati felt he needed some space to himself, he sent Lucas over to his Sister's place for a month, during this period, he visited the Catholic priest who he had been close to for the past four years , Reverend Matthew. He was also a psychologist and he narrated everything to him. He met the Reverend in his office where he mostly attended to people.

"I can't even help the resentment I feel towards the boy these days, at times, because he is Mitah's child, the hate would quickly fade away but sometimes it doesn't like this particular period! The fact that Paul Martins is also his grandfather annoys me!" Lati said in a frustrated manner to the Psychologist known as Rev. Matthew.

"General" The Reverend said dropping his Bible on the table.,

"The Lord tells us to forgive. I do not know what Paul Martins has done to you, as you wouldn't mention but you can't keep holding on to it. You do not need to transfer the hate to any of his descendant"

Lati heaved a sigh. He gripped his hands firmly together on the table as he gritted his teeth. "If only you knew Reverend. If only you knew what that man did. Just...hmm..I can't help but hate him, hate his son but the hate subsided a lot when it comes to Lucas because he is my daughter's child! I just wish my daughter did not get pregnant for that bastard's son!"

"I know the man must have hurt you a lot but We have to let bygones be bygones please, at least for the sake of your psychological health"

"I am sorry Reverend. I WILL continue to hate Paul Martins or any of his Children! I just need help regarding Lucas. I love that boy. But sometimes I feel resentment, hate when I remember who his Grandfather was. I want to stop feeling that way however few of the times it may occur. Last week he dozed off in my room after watching TV. I dreamt about his Grandfather, When I saw the bastard, I woke up, and felt like strangling Lucas, the innocent boy. I had to control myself"

"Hmmm. I am glad you used a phrase right now. 'The innocent boy'. Which shows he is innocent. He is just a child and he is not aware of what his Grandfather had done to you."Reverend stopped then continued

"I remember you told me one of your deepest secrets. My sincere apology for bringing that up but I am trying to help you here. You said, You shot...your daughter by mistake" The Rev. Said lowering his voice

Lati inhaled, then exhaled, he looked suddenly restless. "Yes. Yes I did" he said

"You told me the other day that it is your biggest regret ever. I understand that very much, however even though it was a mistake I want you to know you actually hurt your daughter. She would have wished to live longer. "

Lati closed his eyes as he sighed heavily. He was already shedding tears.: " Reverend please..."

"Calm down General. I am getting somewhere. I am not trying to put you in any trauma" Rev. Said calmly then he continued.

"You felt very bad about what you did. Now, the only way you can help yourself, the only way you can make yourself believe your daughter will not be angry at you in heaven or have forgiven you is for you to love and cherish her son irrespective of any situation attached to his Paternity!" The Reverend emphasized lifting one of his fingers up.

Lati was swayed by these words. It was something he himself knew, he just didn't teach himself to

relate with it enough regarding Lucas issue. Lati's eyes was filled with tears. He felt very Sad and his heart ached

"You owe your daughter something---and that is to continue loving her child" Rev. added. He handed some tissue to him

Lati was silent. He wiped his tears "You are right Reverend. I owe her a lot. I really do"

"Did you know yesterday night I called your line but you didn't pick up. I wanted to send for you, not knowing you would be here today"

"Yes. I missed your call. When I saw that you called, I didn't bother to call back because I had the intention of coming to see you here today"Lati explained

"Okay.. I prayed for you last night and the holy spirit revealed something to me .Your daughter wanted to know how her child was fairing. In that revelation, she came to me in my church, I was holding a talk with some church elders, she just entered came towards me and kept asking me if her son was doing Okay. She did not say anything other than that. That was why I called you so I could inform you about it. I know you are taking care of Lucas but I wanted to urge you to continue doing it and never relent as it has been revealed as your daughter's priority".

Lati was already tearing up. How ignorant has he been.

"I will make amends Reverend. Now I know better. I won't provide any space in my heart to dislike Lucas. Not in the least"

Reverend nodded his head and smiled. The Reverend held his hands and they prayed together and soon Lati said he had to go that he has an appointment with the Governor.

"Oh. I read recently you are now a shareholder of the Governor's Flour mill company. Congratulations."

Lati laughed. "Oh.. No Reverend, I have been a shareholder for six years. It was just during the Company's 20th anniversary last month that it was announced publicly, hence it went viral"

"I see. Okay then Goodbye General"

Lati nodded and was about opening the door when the Reverend spoke up: "How about regarding Dino Martins, Paul's son, No more hate?"

"I can't assure you of that Reverend. I chose to continue loving Lucas because of my daughter. Mitah. You opened my heart to the fact today .She was very precious to me hence her child will be too. If only you knew what that bastard, Paul Martins did to me. What he took away from me"

"I hope one day you will be willing to share" The Reverend said

"Hmmm. Pls have a nice day and I will send some soya milk bottles over by evening" Lati said already knowing how much the Reverend likes to take them. He claims it boost his immune more than fruits.

"I appreciate that General. I would have loved to see you off but I have some people waiting outside'

"No problem. Reverend" Lati said as he went out.

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Dino was still running his pharmacy and built a pharmaceutical manufacturing company. The company was about three years running. Mitah's death affected him greatly and he found it difficult to cope with normal life for a year. Mitah decided to die like that, no goodbye nothing. He would go to the cemetery many times and cry silently where she was buried. He looked, and acted depressed so many times. He had to resign from his job at the government hospital when he could not concentrate on work anymore. His sister Amanda decided to seek help for him when she sighted the situation of things. He was placed on talking therapy and anti depression medications for a year before he learnt to adjust to normal life.

However, it had been ten years already but Dino refused to date any woman. He believed no woman could replace her in his life and he couldn't love any other woman again

"Dino, this is not normal. It's been Ten years. You have mourned her enough. We all miss her but it has happened and you have to get over it" Amanda commiserated him. Amanda was already married three years ago to a successful lawyer and they had a set of beautiful twin girls together. She had come that day to visit him when his househelp told her he went to the cemetery. She knew why he went there and she decided to wait for him. He got back and she couldn't just help but pour out her worries to him

" Aren't you going to get married?. Have a companion, have kids together?!She added .

"Mitah was not just a woman, she was my soul mate and the mother of my child. You of all people should understand. And she lied to me. You told me yourself she later told you the baby is mine and no matter how hard I try to get angry at her for doing that I couldn't. Her father manipulated her. And everything still feels like a dream!. I can't even believe it's ten years already."He said as he stood up to shift the window slides and stared outside.

"Still feels like a dream? Dino when will you let yourself be healed?!" Amanda said standing up and clapping her palms over each other to emphasize her words.

"I..I have healed!_Dino said. "I just can't see myself marrying another woman"

"That means you haven't healed! Four years after this happened, I tried introducing you to decent and beautiful girls, you refused everyone of them. Why are you doing this to yourself Dino?"

Dino heaved a sigh "Amanda, can you just let me be?" He said and left to distract his mind by pondering on some medications' requests from some clinical centres. Amanda shook her head. She was also pained by Mitah's death, she was a beautiful soul. But silently, she prayed her brother finally get over it and get married to another woman.

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