White Heart

White Heart Chapter Three: Meanwhile at Home

Mr and Mrs Lani, Alisha's parents weren't happy at all. It's been three months since their precious angel left home. The police weren't making matters better. They didn't take the case seriously. On several occasions,the police told them that their daughter is an adult, she's responsible for whatever happens to her and not quite long, the case was abandoned. They also said they've done their best but somehow Mrs Lani knew this wasn't true. A day after Alisha left home, they went looking for her. They searched the neighborhood and even her friend Sarah's house. Unfortunately,Sarah had moved. she even changed her number. They got her new number and contacted her hoping she'll know about their daughter's whereabouts but she said it had been a while since she last spoke with Lisha. They went to Isha's school. Her classmates said she's still coming to school but non of them knew where she stays. "Alisha is very distant, she barely talks to anyone not to talk of confiding" one said. Another dead end. They decided to stay and wait up till they saw Isha but that was in vain too. Parents were given a certain amount of time to visit. The time was exhausted and they still didn't get to see her. They did this on several occasions but all to no avail.

One time, Alisha was just coming out of the lecture hall when she sighted her father's car. She quickly hid. "I miss home,I really do but there's no peace and I'm old enough to be independent. Besides,I don't know if there's peace at home now. I'm not taking any chances"

They tried this severally but Alisha was always one step ahead. "She said we shouldn't look for her, maybe we should stop" her dad suggested to her mum. "Oh Isha! Come home"

Surprisingly since Alisha left there has been a bit of peace. Mr Lani was struggling financially to provide for his family and this caused his frustration which he normally took out on his wife. He would beat her till she can no longer move and at times, she'll run away. Whenever she gets back, he'll apologize but this kept happening and she almost gave up. But without a third mouth to feed and school fees to worry about, everything was fine. He became as charming as he was the first time she met him.

Everyday they pray that God protects their daughter wherever she is .For a while they took their mind off Lisha and went about their normal routine.

Friday morning,6 30am. Mrs Lani started to get ready for work. Breakfast was on fire and her husband was having his bath when a call came in. "Honey your phone is ringing should I pick, it's an unknown caller" Mrs Lani said as she was rushing to turn off the burning breakfast on the stove.

"Answer it, I'm busy," Mr. Lani replied from the bathroom, his voice muffled by the sound of running water.

Mrs. Lani hesitated for a moment, wondering who could be calling at such an early hour. She picked up the phone, her heart beating slightly faster.

"Hello?" she said, trying to sound calm."Hello good afternoon,am I unto Mr Lani?" The caller asked " No it's he's wife speaking, this is his phone but he's busy,any problem....how may I be of help?" She replied still wondering what the caller could possibly want, "no there's no problem at all Madam, rather good news. I'm a secretary at an M & S construction company, where your husband applied for a job. The contract has just been awarded to him. I just called to inform him. Goodbye". Mrs Lani's face lit up with a smile as she processed the unexpected good news. "Wait, don't hang up! Thank you so much for calling. she said, her excitement evident in her voice.

She quickly turned off the stove and rushed to the bathroom where her husband was still oblivious to the news. "Honey, honey! You won't believe it!" she exclaimed, bursting into the bathroom.

Mr. Lani turned off the water, looking at her with a mix of confusion and concern. "What is it? What's wrong?"

Mrs. Lani beamed with pride. "Nothing's wrong, dear. It's good news! You've been awarded a contract at work!"

Mr. Lani's face lit up with a smile, and he let out a whoop of excitement. "That's amazing! Oh, thank you so much for telling me!" This was the first time she's seen her husband this excited aside when she gave birth to Lisha.

As they hugged and celebrated, Mrs. Lani couldn't help but feel a sense of relief and gratitude. This was the start of something new and positive, a fresh chapter in their lives. And she knew that this good news would bring them closer together, stronger and more united than ever before.As they hugged, Mrs. Lani couldn't help but think about the journey they had been through. The struggles, the fights, the tears. But also the laughter, the adventures, and the love. She knew that this contract was not just a professional victory, but a personal one too. It was a reminder that their hard work and dedication had paid off, and that they were on the right path.

"I'm so proud of you," she whispered in his ear.

Mr. Lani smiled, his eyes shining with happiness. "I couldn't have done it without you," he said. "You're my rock, my partner, my everything."

As they pulled back from their embrace, Mrs. Lani smiled up at him. "And you're mine," she said. "We're in this together, always". Suddenly,the happy expression on Mrs Lani's face turned to a sad one. "If only Lisha was here to see us this happy". "My love,I'm sorry for how I treated you, for all the abuse. I don't know what came over me. I'm glad you didn't leave my side. Don't worry about Lisha,I know she's fine. Be happy okayy,for me. I love you" Mr Lani said as he hugged her tighter trying to make her feel better.

Mrs. Lani's eyes welled up with tears as she buried her face in her husband's chest. "Oh, my love, I'm so sorry too," she whispered, her voice shaking. "I was so blind to what was happening, so caught up in my own struggles. I should have been there for you, for us, for Alisha"

Mr. Lani stroked her hair, holding her close. "We were both blind, my love," he said. "But we're seeing clearly now. We're together, we're strong, and we'll get through this. Alisha will come home, and we'll be a family again."

As they held each other, Mrs. Lani felt a sense of peace wash over her. She knew that her husband was right, that they would get through this, together.

"I love you," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

"I love you too," Mr. Lani replied, his voice filled with emotion. "Always and forever. Let's prepare for work or we'll be late" Mrs Lani smiled, wiping away her tears. "You're right, let's get moving", she said, her voice still shaky but determined.

As they pulled back from their embrace, Mr. Lani handed her a tissue to wipe her eyes. "I'll make us some coffee while you get ready," he said, his eyes filled with love and understanding.

Mrs. Lani nodded, smiling weakly. "Thanks, my love," she said, taking the tissue from him.

As they went about their morning routine, Mrs. Lani felt a sense of gratitude for her husband's support and love. She knew that they still had challenges ahead, but she also knew that they would face them together, as a team. Alisha leaving home made them closer,she still missed her.