A Time As This!

As Ruth walked out of the temple, she was welcomed by bright sunlight that filled the atmosphere. It took time for her to adjust to the change for she had been in the temple for almost a week. She breathed in the scent of the early summer and she felt assurance replace the void that had filled her every presence. She walked down the streets, well aware of the lingering stares people gave her. She was probably a mess on the outside but she didn’t care for she knew that what was in her was a whole different story. She had had an encounter from the Lord! The joy that filled her was almost unbearable. During the time she had spent in the temple, she had felt a change take place inside her and she was now filled with hope, hope that she had last felt five years ago, one year after being married off to her loving husband Abihail. That hope made her feel resurrected. It made her have purpose to live. And as she walked beneath the scorching sun, she was not ashamed for she knew that the Lord would answer her prayer, soon.

And he did for the following year, about the same time, Ruth sat in a room that was filled with the wailing of a new born baby. She forced herself to sit up, gritting her teeth to the pain that radiated from her stomach.

“You need to rest a while beloved,” Abihail said from beside her, clearly seeing her struggle, “the nurse will take care of whatever needs caring. Right now, what you need is rest.” He said and placed his hand lightly on her shoulder.

“No, I need to hold my child.” She managed to say through her teeth, “Sarah, please bring the babe to me.”

The nurse did not relent but brought the baby, who was warmly wrapped in clean linen, and placed her in her mistress’s arms.

“She is so beautiful. Oh Abihail, our prayers have been answered. How my heart rejoices. For the lord heed my cry for help and answered my prayer. He has been faithful.” Ruth said as she stroked the babe’s hair. Her cheeks were rosy pink and her mouth was full. She had smooth pale skin that reflected the light that streamed through the window. Ruth felt blessed just taking in the sight of her beloved little girl. The minute the babe had been placed in her arms, the wailing had ceased to sobs and now, she lay silent, her eyes closed to all around her.

Ruth recalled the number of times she had cried herself to bed. She had asked herself why the lord had not blessed her with a child of her own. She and Abihail had tried their best to get a child but all their efforts had been in vain. She had laid all the blame on herself not noticing that she had been in a season where the Lord had wanted her to seek him and when she did, he had opened her womb. Looking back, she realized how faithful the Lord had been.

“What are we going to call her Abihail?” she asked.

“She shall be called Hadassah that signifies her beauty and fragrance. And Esther, her Persian name, for she is a star that will shine brightly when her time comes.”

“And so shall it be beloved.”

Years passed and at six, Hadassah had grown to be a jovial, vibrant and beautiful child. Ruth sat on a rocky chair in the terrace that overlooked the garden. A smile crossing her lips as she watched her little Hadassah running round the garden. She was chasing after something and when she caught it, her joyful laughter brought life to the serene surrounding.

“I caught it, I caught it!” she screamed joyfully as she run to her caretaker, Sarah, but on her way, she tripped and fell, the laughter turning into wails. Ruth watched how Sarah handled her daughter and her trust in her grew. The wails turned into sobs and Ruth watched them disappear below her as they entered the house. It was time for Hadassah’s evening nap.

Ruth felt joy bubble inside her. What a blessing God had given her. She recalled Hadassah speaking for the first time when she was twelve months. She had then moved on to taking small baby steps. At that time, they had kept everything that was breakable out of sight, not wanting any accidents. Every memory of Hadassah’s growth made her more grateful to the Lord.

She gently touched the purple sweater she was knitting. She and her husband would be leaving in a few days for a journey across the sea. Michael, who worked personally for the king, had been appointed to sail across the sea to the coast of Africa to deliver some goods to the Ethiopian king and he, being thrift, had thought it wise for her to accompany him. He had called it ‘our exploration around the world’. At first, she had declined, hesitant to leave her daughter home for the first time but the desire to know more of the world had overcome her doubts.

Now as she knitted her daughter’s sweater, doubts seemed to be her closest companion. Taking in a deep breath, she exhaled softly and hurried to finish the sweater. She was close, and she better finished it before she left for the voyage.

*******

Hadassah lifted her knees to her head, resting her head on them. The darkness around her made her want to scream, but she kept her mouth shut, afraid that if she did so, she would attract the monsters of the night, as Arabella, her caretaker, had told her. She was clad in a purple woven coat that her mother had made her before she had left for the voyage with her father, and which she had refused to take off. Despite the warmth of the coat, she still felt a shiver run down her spine and she shuddered. A tear fell down her cheeks. It had been a week since her parents had left, and she missed them so much. Mother had said they would be back In five days, and Hadassah had been counting the days. two days ago, she had been so exited for her parents return that she had decorated the house with flowers from their flower garden but when darkness began to settle and still there was no sign of them, she had ended up being hysteric and crying half the night. The day after that had been no different… Now, she just sat in silence, letting the tears flow without uttering a word. Moving from her bed, she walked slowly to the window and opened the curtains which revealed more than a dozen stars dotting the sky. She and her mother had looked at the night sky so many times that Hadassah lost count. Together, they had made out shapes of various animals and objects in the sky. Hadassah tried to make out one now, but she felt her heart fall into more despair when she couldn’t . Hugging herself, she sat down next to the window, the darkness outside and Leah’s snorrring offering her a sense of distraction for a while. When the clouds began gathering and It started raining, she went back to bed and curled herself beside Leah, who shifted slightly and wrapped her hands around her. As Hadassah drifted to sleep, she prayed and wished that the following night, the arms around her would be of her mother, just as she had wished the night before…

*******

. Hannah felt her heartbeat quicken at the piercing screams that cut through the air. Abihail shifted slightly from where he lay beside her, his arms that were around her waist pulling her closer.

“Don’t worry. Everything is going to be alright.” He said reassuringly, having sensed her fear.

“Do you really think so?” She asked but didn’t wait for a response. “It has been raining continuously for the past one hour Abihail!” When they heard another scream, Hannah pulled herself closer into Abihail’s arms, seeking his warmth. Tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, he gave her a light kiss on her forehead.

“I should go see what is happening and if some help will be needed.” He said and began pulling away but Hannah held his collar tightly.

“Please don’t go!” she pleaded in a whisper, not wanting to be left alone.

“I have to honey. I need to go see if help is needed.” He said and Hannah knew better than to keep on insisting for him to stay for he wouldn’t . He was a man who loved offering help to those around him. Loosening her hands on his collar, she nodded slightly and when he was about to rise, she voiced out the question that had been haunting her since it started raining. “Do you think we will ever see her again?” . For a moment, she saw a flicker if worry fill his eyes through the dim light from the burning wax before he smiled slightly and replied assuringly, “Yes we will.” And with a slight kiss on her lips, he rose and left the small room below the deck, shutting the door behind him.

Left alone, in the dimmley lit room, Hannah felt uncertainty as her closest companion. She curled to her side, her fingers clatching to a wooden doll Hadassah had given her. It had been a bright day, the morning before they had left home…

“Mama, I don’t want you to go…”the little five year old had said trudging behind her mother as she pulled at her dress, her face all red due to the continuous crying.

Hannah had almost given in to the child’s cry for she herself had not been sure about leaving Hadassah home for the first time, especially when it was so far away. But she had promised Abihail that she would not back out for she understood how important this was to him. Stopping in her tracks, she had inhaled a shaky breath and picked Hadassah into her arms.

“We will be back honey.” She had said wiping a tear from her face.

“how long will it take?”

“Just five days, and then we’ll be back with many gifts for our sweet little girl.” The voyage to the coast of Africa would take two days, where Abihail was going to negotiate some trading agreements for the Kingdom. They would then spend a day there then head back. Abihail had insisted for her to tag along as he wanted her to see more of the world beyond the vast seas. And yes, she had been partially excited since she had always wanted to see beyond but had never had the chance.

“Five days?” she had repeated.

“Yes, only five days.”

“And you will bring me gifts?”

“Yes, many.” After being assured that she would get something out of it, she calmed a bit. Wrapping her arms around Hannah’s neck, she had said in a whisper, “I love you mom.”

“Love you too honey.” She had said, savouring the feeling of her daughter in her arms. When it had come time for them to depart, she had reluctantly placed Hadassah down.

“Mama,” she had began and held out her wooden doll, “I want you to have angel.”

“But you will miss her honey…”

“I want her to go with you, so that she may watch over you and protect you like God’s angels…”

And now, memories of her daughter made Hannah shake in tears. Would she ever see her again? More screams could be heard from outside, a clear indicator that things were getting worse. When she heard a loud impact on the side of the ship and another which followed a while later, her shaking increased, and so did the screams in the air. In horror, Hannah watched as water began flowing into the small room. First slowly then with great force. In instinct, she rose and run to the door, trying to open it but it wouldn’t budge. Seeing no hope as water rapidly filled the room, she leaned on the door and clatched her stomach In agony. In tears, she let out a piercing screams and then suddenly, there was a loud crash which was followed by darkness.

***

Arabella had just come from taking Hadassah for her evening nap when she heard a knock on the door. The first thought that crossed her mind was the arrival of her master and mistress who had been away for about a month. She trudged towards the door and turned the knob and on opening it, she was filled with disappointment when she came face to face with a stranger, six feet tall, short dark hair and cladded in a white and black uniform. Before she could ask what his business was, he spoke first.

“Good evening miss,” he said, his accent bespeaking his Indian background, “it is my sorrow to inform you that Mr. and Mrs. Michael have been lost in a shipwreck. Further instructions on what is to be done are given in the letter.” He stretched out his hand and handed her the letter before he left.

Arabella just stood there, staring at the closed door trying to process what she had been told. What will happen now? She wondered at the possibilities, all of which had no bright side suddenly, a wave of weakness overtook her and suddenly, her legs were too weak to carry. She felt a sharp pain in her head as she hit the floor in a thud before everything went blank.

****

The day of the burial, which took place at the garden behind the villa, arrived and only a few were in attendance; the household staff, few close friends and a mysterious man who was introduced as Hadassah’s uncle, Jair. Arabella watched the proceedings unfold with faint silence. Since the bodies were not able to be retrieved, the event was just a form of goodbye. Hadassah stood right beside her, holding. The poor little thing did not understand what was going on. Arabella had not mastered the courage to tell her that her parents were no more.

Sweet memories of the love and kindness she had received from her master and mistress flooded her mind. Why did they have to leave Lord? One of the household staff had told her that it was for good but she really did not understand how anything good would come out of what had happened. Hadassah would probably leave with the stranger who was said to be her uncle, and who knew what the girl would go through with him.

Arabella once again looked at the man dressed in black who stood across her. He resembled Hadassah’s father in appearance but was much older, with bits of gray hair in his temples. Arabella looked into his eyes and she felt a shiver go through her spine. She did not like this man; she had not liked him the minute she had laid eyes on him. She squeezed Hadassah’s hand gently as she fought the tears that were threatening to fall. She felt fear for the girl.

As they say, everything that has a beginning has an end, the burial eventually came to an end and Arabella watched as people dispersed, each having something to say to Hadassah’s uncle who bid them farewell. When everyone was gone, Arabella and Hadassah entered the house hand by hand.

“Why was everyone wearing black Bella?” Hadassah asked, having sensed sadness in the congregation.

“Well, they were celebrating your parents’ lives dear.”

“In black! Why couldn’t they do it in pink or purple? And why celebrate people who are not here!” she said and paused for a while. With a sigh, she said, “I really miss mummy and daddy. They’ve taken too long. I hope they bring me something beautiful. Something for a queen…” she said more to herself than to Arabella.

The next morning, before sunrise, what Arabella feared the most is what happened. She watched helplessly as Hadassah drove away with Jair on a wagon, tears running down her flushed cheeks. If she had been able, she would have made sure that Hadassah would have stayed, but who was she but a mere servant. Arabella waved her last goodbye to Hadassah whose head was picked from the wagons’ window. She wore a bright smile on her visage and Arabella wondered what was going in in the girl’s mind this time. Obviously, she did not sense what lay ahead.

“Maybe Jair promised her a castle.” She said to herself before going back inside the house. Hadassah was really fond of princess and queen staff.

Hadassah sat silently in the wagon, her mind working as her excitement grew the further, they went. She had not been promised anything. In the real sense, she did not know where she was going but her heart hoped deeply that she was being taken to her parents. The familiar surrounding that Hadassah had known her whole life diminished as they followed a path that cut through a forest. She looked at her uncle who was sound asleep beside her. She did not recall ever seeing him. With a light yawn, she rubbed her eyes. Her eyelids became heavy until she was not able to keep them open. When she was finally sound asleep, she did not dream of happily meeting her loving parents but instead, she dreamt that she was being led through a dark tunnel that had no end.

***

Hadassah woke up frantically to the terrifying screams she thought she had heard. She took in quick deep breaths her body trickling with sweat. She sat still, not making a single movement and listened intently. To her surprise, all was dead silent, not even the normal swaying of trees could be heard, which made her to be even more alarmed. Not a moment later, she heard footsteps approach the cold little room that had become her small haven in times of fear and despair. The footsteps grew louder as the intruder came closer. She sat motionless, and for the first time, content in the darkness that surrounded her making her invisible. Silence took over for a while causing Hadassah to let out a breath, she did not know she had been holding.

“Who is there?” a deep male voice boomed like thunder making Hadassah shake like a leaf being blown by strong wind.

After what seemed an eternity, Hadassah heard the man walk away. She sat, looking at nothing in particular. Tired of keeping her eyes open, she closed them but knew that sleep was far out of reach for her mind was now a roller coaster, rolling back to the past. It went back to the time her mother had given her first doll. The doll she had given her mother before she had left for the fatal journey. Hadassah had learnt what had happened to her parents the minute she had set foot in Jair’s house. He had made sure to make it clear and to also inform her that he had not the time to pamper her. The realization had hit hard, making her to have a couple of sleepless nights, crying herself to sleep.

Jair appeared to be a man of his word for he did not pamper her at all. In fact, he treated her more like a cast out servant. It had become Hadassah’s routine to stay without food for about three days. She was worked like a donkey, doing chores from morning to evening, only to have a break when it was night, and she lay on the cold earthen floor as her bed, her torn worn out clothes her blanket. Hadassah recalled the last conversation she had had with Jair the previous night before going to sleep which had left her startled. It had all started with him arriving and asking how her day had been, something he had never done. Then had followed by giving her a whole speech just after the night’s meal.

“Hadassah,” he said surprising her even more for he had never addressed her by her name, counting out the day she had arrived at his home. She had assumed he had forgotten, “it has been four years since you started living with me and I know I have not been the best uncle I should have been. I’m really ashamed and I wonder what your father is thinking of me from wherever he is watching. I wish…, but wishing doesn’t change anything, does it?” he asked more to himself than to her. He stayed silent for a long while that she thought he was done talking and was about to excuse herself when he continued, startling her.

“I am really sorry Hadassah. I cannot undo what I have done but all I ask of you is for your forgiveness.” Hadassah had stared at him for a long time and without saying anything, had excused herself and left for bed wishing it wouldn’t take a lifetime for her to fall asleep. When she had finally entered her dreamland is when she had been awakened by a sharp scream that cut through air like knife cut through butter.

Thinking about what her uncle had said made her feel as if he had been bidding her farewell. He had asked for her forgiveness and she was left wondering if she had the heart to do so. But at the back of her mind, she could still remember her mom’s gentle voice.

Forgive darling’. It might be hard, but it is worth it…

Hadassah felt trepidation when she was forced to move in with the son of her uncle, due to the untimely demise of her uncle. It had been the day after he had spoken to her when she had awakened only to find his body lying in a pool of blood. Unfortunately, someone had broken in and committed the fateful deed. She could still remember the events of that night, vividly. Being awakened by a piercing scream and hearing someone walking around the house. At that time, she had not given anything much thought but the more she thought of it, the more the puzzles fit. Her uncle had known what had awaited him. One thing that had stuck at the back of her mind was his humble request for forgiveness.

Many a times had she asked herself why she had not also been killed? The fear of what lay ahead was overwhelming. She did not know what to expect. As people say, the son is the clearest reflection of his father in the world; she was left to wonder if her uncle’s son would be like his father or worse.

Before she entered his house, she drew in a deep breath and prayed in her heart, something she had not done in years.

O lord, please be with me…, and tell my uncle that I forgive him…