CHAPTER ONE
FOREWARD
Many women encounter difficulties in their day to day lives.
Mothers are treasures. They birth, raise, care, nurture, groom and love
The success of any marriage depends to a large extent on the two parties involved. The husband and wife , but what happens when the other becomes abusive and a danger to the other?
Juliana Namazzi, the main character in this book finds her self in this situation.
What befalls Juliana can be termed as a catastrophe as she finds her self in prison for killing her Husband.
Her plea of self defense doesn't save her from being remanded. It is right there , in prison that she finds different women serving sentences that they shouldn't, some had been framed, others were victims found guilty for defending themselves from Violent men who were determined to kill them.
In the World we live in today, Evidence is the best defense
Can Namazzi Juliana win the case and gain back her freedom?
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Acknowledgements
I would like to thank my daughter Glorious Ariana Mercy Bujjingo for being an inspiration
In finishing this book
I am grateful, too, for the guidance I received from Shopi Brenda and for the support given by all those around me.
"Don’t be afraid to speak up for yourself.
Keep fighting for your dreams!'
Gabby Douglas
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AWAY WITH MY SOUL
It happened, yes it did
I think back to when it happened.
Yes that dreadful day,
Over powered by your rage!
I moan the dark memories that haunt me
Every day and night
Because that night, that evil night
You went away with my soul.
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CHAPTER ONE
She was a beautiful woman or at least had been. One could see this from the way she carried herself and the dark long hair she wore.Her eyes were full of life, warmth, and enthusiasm yet desperation at the same time.
She sat at the far side of the medium sized bed thinking, no wondering. "Ooh! Really!This is my life" she said aloud.
"This is what I have been turned into, a slave in my own home." She remembered the day she had met him, he had not been so bad, in fact, he had been an angel at the time. An Angel sent from God to save her from the cruel stepmother. Oh that too made her cry.
She did not want to remember that horrible past. It was buried somewhere at the back of her mind, relieving it would only make it more painful. Yet at times, she thought of it not that she wanted, it was a force hard to fight because her present life had become just like the past.
Sometimes, she thought she was going to collapse or lose her mind. It was hard to understand how things had changed so drastically. Torture, pain, desperation and misery mirrored her living.
Her father's words came back to haunt her. "You are a shame to me, to us your parents. Who would wish for a daughter like you? You are nothing but a pest. You are a prostitute, a parasite draining out even the little blood left in my veins!
She shivered at this moment, dropping the blanket in hand to the ground. Here she was, after all those years still depressed, offended, troubled. She shrunk her head, biting her teeth.
Then she cried.
She always cried on remembering the cruelty. Those were not only insults; they were fangs digging deep in her flesh, her soul and mind.
But she no longer cared at all.
"They can't break me," she said demurely, and sighed with sudden confidence, she endured the flowing thoughts of her demeaning past life, which had no peace, no rest of mind and definitely no happiness.
She remembered the woman she called mother, her stepmother so heavenly in the presence of her husband yet a viper in his absence. Juliana had always dreaded her father's absence because although he would insult her, there was no physical torture. With Resty, it was torture at its best both mental and physical. She despised her stepdaughters with a passion.
That was Juliana's childhood. Miserable, painful yes very lonely. Too much for a young girl but she had developed her own way of copping.
She often laughed the pain off.
Sometimes this caused more harm from Resty who could not bare to see her smile. Juliana held on, persevered until she decided it was time to move on. At fourteen years, she ran away and married at fifteen.
Here she was, with this man an Angel turned Villain!! "Oh God what did I ever do?" she thought aloud.
"Juliana Namazzi has known no peace"
'I deserve to be happy'.
I want my freedom.
"Don’t do this … Please Juliana' she reasoned with herself. "Don’t kill yourself over this." Seriously. "Don't you know that the future can still be bright?"
'Well, may be am right, may be am wrong," said Juliana, rising
The she heard a loud knock and went to attend to the visitor.
"Who goes there?" she asked.
"Mwebaze Brenda" the visitor answered
"Oh my friend you came, give me a minute please". The door opened and the two women sat enjoying each other's company.
"Thank you for the tea it's such a relief" Mwebaze told Juliana picking up some more biscuits.
"Oh yes, the journey, tell me about it all" Juliana insisted with enthusiasm.
"It wasn't so bad. I borded the five o'clock bus that's why am here this early."
"All the Ddembe Lyaffe members send their regards."
'Oh I miss them Juliana confessed."
"You see I don't have as many friends here because most of my time is spent indoors listening to news and of course writing."
"The paper machine dear."
'You're still the same old Juliana Namazzi.
"Ah, yes, that side of me can't change it is who am a writer and one day I know I will shine".
"You will really" Mwebaze agreed
"So let us get back to the reason of my coming."
Juliana blinked.
"What are you talking about?"
Is something the matter there? Juliana's voice was hard with emotion.
"There is a rumor in the village. A very bad rumor."
Mwebaze replied.
"When we heard, the members decided that I pay you a visit for peace of our mind. She added exhaling heavily.
Fortunately, I still had the address you scribbled down the last time you visited.
Juliana imagined
She hesitated then softly asked.
"Which rumor did you hear and from where?"
As she spoke, she was seized with a feeling of pain and regret.
Mwebaze gave her friend a loving look conscious that Juliana's eyes were upon her.
"It was someone from this side one Kaija fortune.
She said that she had been your workmate. A colleague at Glory investments.
She mentioned the cruelty of your husband and reported that he assaults you even in public.
That in most cases, you reported to work with cuts and bruises she feared for your life."
Juliana's heart sank. They knew a lot already "cheerup!" she comforted herself.
"It does concern us, your welfare."
Are these accusations true my friend?
If so what steps have you taken to free yourself?"
Juliana was not so sure what to say. She wanted to be loyal to her husband, but did not want to lie either.
Even so, she felt that this could be a God sent guest.
"You look a million miles away," Mwebaze said, wondering what her friend was thinking about.
Where the hell is all this going?" Juliana was thinking.
After having an extremely bad night, she didn’t feel like narrating her ordeal.
Pressed by the need, she quickly responded.
"Some of it is true dear Mwebaze."
Yes, my husband is violent at times but he is not a villain as he is painted.
Tonny is like any other man when angered?"
"Oh!" Mwebaze mouthed
"Common Juliana, anger needs to be controlled".
Not every man assaults his wife.
Your husband must be counseled he needs a change of mind."
"Yeah," Juliana admitted.
"But Tonny will never admit a fault. To him, a man does no wrong worse still to him; a man is entitled to disciplining his wife in whichever manner he sees fit.
I have tried talking to him sometimes involving his relatives in the matter, but things just got worse."
She gave a heavy sigh.
Mwebaze noticed the coldness in her eyes and voice she could smell her pain.
Ever since she got there, she'd noticed the sadness in her friends eyes. It was quite obvious that she was going through some stuff.
Real hard annoying stuff.
She needs help or she would breakdown. Physically or mentally. "Damn you Tonny" Mwebaze silently cursed him.Damn this man for turning their friend into this helpless being.
"But really what went wrong with you?" Mwebaze finally broke the silence.
"Things changed ever since you moved here."
Why are you bearing this agony in silence?
"Rise up dear friend.""Speak up for your safety."
"I don't want to sound so nagging, "She said matter of factly, I feel sorry for all the trouble.
Juliana looked at her friend more closely then she broke and cried.
"I have tried," she said coolly. He said that I was ashaming him, turning him into a laughing stock.
She then shook her head, expecting Mwebaze to scold her, to walk off and leave.
"Hush, Julie!"
"I believe you" Mwebaze said sounding motherly.
She could not imagine what the other was enduring
"Juliana Namazzi, you are stronger than all this" Mwebaze comforted.
You are not alone anymore.
We will stay close to you."
"My mother used to say that a man who batters his wife is no man at all because that in itself is a weakness therefore my sister don’t shield him love is not blind.
It should not be blind.
Don’t butter his faults, acknowledge them then find someone he will listen to.
Tonny must know that you are not a log or a punching bag for his relief."
"That’s right," Juliana said, feeling relieved.
The two women sat in silence for a while Juliana spoke first.
"It is getting late let me hurry and prepare us a meal."
"Yes time moves fast Mwebaze agreed "but I will not wait for the meal.
I must be on my way I have two more friends to visit."
"Former members too.? Juliana inquired.
"Yes Juliana, there former members.
Kezza and Auma Rose, they have issues too urgent ones.
"Well, thank you Mwebaze my friend. " Said Juliana trying to cheer up with a smile.
"I am very grateful to you all that you never forget a sister. You must convey my greetings and best regards to the members and tell of my gratitude."
"Hey, Juliana, dry that face. Listen, I did not just come to see you become more sad.
Cheer up.
"The pain will go."
But remember we have learnt that it's better to act now than latter for many whom we see no more would have been with us if we tried to intervene. Many victims know what they must do but lack the strength and will to do so.
Some are afraid of those who torment them in word and deed so they remain in misery but the end is always ugly."
That encourages and reminds me to be more careful Juliana said thoughtfully.
Mwebaze interrupted, we are fighting for a good course for your life.
After Mwebaza's demise, Juliana decided to watch the Uganda cranes match.
The national team was taking on an Indomitable team at Mandela Stadium not that she loved football so much on the scale of a hundred, she would be given fifty.
However, she loved her country and considered it a duty to cheer on her country's very own.
She was known to attend key matches like this one. This time, the pregnancy couldn't let her so she had vowed to follow it via television.
The match was not going well it was already two to zero in the first half. It was always impossible for her to watch a game to end if she was not on the winning end she
checked the clock it was four already.
'I will check on Maya she decided and held the phone to call.
The phone kept ringing for some time then a feminine voice answered.
"Hello Another Touch Children's center' the lady said
'It's Barbra" Juliana guessed silently
"Juliana speaking, how are the children?" she said aloud
"Oh wow Julie the lady shouted with bliss.
"Good to hear from you, has she come yet?you know the Little princess."
"No not yet' Juliana told her.
"Actually I called to check on Maya
Your favorite girl said the lady well I don’t know… I think she has a fever….
She was sobbing this morning and her temperature was also rather high she informed.
Oh, God what happened?" how is she now? Julaina asked breathlessly.
She'll be all right Julie don’t worry yourself too much. I know she is not very sick and the nurse checked on her Barbra told her.
"Will she be all right?" Juliana asked again.
"Of course she will." I'm right here with her. She is taking her medicine on time.
Ok, send her my love Juliana said coolly then put the phone down.
She wished she was still there at the center volunteering again.
