RANA'S Husband

Chapter 1

Australia February 26 1960

Elena sitting outside enjoying the beautiful weather of the quiet afternoon, feeling so happy and fulfilled, finally she is about to have a child of her own, smiling touching her small baby bump, grateful for the heavens for finally blessing her with her own family and a very supportive husband Roman. Roman happened to travel last week, and will be returning today or tomorrow depending on the strength of the horse which he traveled with.

From a distance came a noise of horse galloping, approaching towards her. What could this be all about? Elena thought aloud, stood up waiting to see the face of the rider clearly and to know his mission.

To whom do I owe this surprise visit, please who are you and how can I help you? Without saying a word to her, the man handed over a piece of paper, turned around and left.

Feeling anxious she opened the paper, the first word she saw made her froze, her face turned pale, her feet and hand instantly grew cold,

standing there at a point for about fifteen minutes, her head was totally blank, with an expression of someone who just had an encounter with a ghost, her mouth started to vibrate non stop, she was fidgeting, feeling all kind reaction in her body which she can't explain, without a care for the world, she finally found her voice, she screamed very loudly tears gushing out of her eyes she fell to the ground looking hopelessly the world has finally come to an end she said laughing bitterly she looked down at the paper not wanting to believe her eye, written on the paper boldly sorry to announce this to you Mr Roman is DEAD, could this be a dream? she hopes so because she is about to eventually go mad.

Her husband has set to go to the nearest town near theirs to purchase some of the fabric which he sells, promising his pregnant wife not to stay for long. How could a man who just left a few days ago be dead? Roman's family is one of the elite and well respected families in their big community. Roman was known for his generosity and his strong will to always do things when he set his mind to do so.

Roman was one of the strongest in the community and therefore general of the warriors.

The news of the death of Roman was very shocking to the villagers, the unanswered question everybody have in mind is what could have killed the brave, strong warrior nobody knows exactly what killed him since he was traveling alone, the rumor spreading around the community is that he had been poisoned by an unknown thing, even the physician was not able to tell exactly what happened to Roman his death became a mystery unsolved.

As of that time Elena was 5 months gone. Even in her pregnancy Elena was very beautiful, she possessed the features of a goddess, her face was so smooth and clean,her hair was very long and dark like midnight,her nails were always cut short and neat,she had a very beautiful flawless skin. Elena was known to be always alone, she has fewer or no friends, the death of her husband feels like the world has become silent, she is always thinking on how to be strong for her baby which will be due matter of months

Thinking about her husband she felt her heart tightened, she felt pity for her unborn child who is not going to experience father's love.

Roman was laid to rest, as a noble man, his funeral was one of a kind, dignitaries from different communities were present to pay their last respect to the great warrior.

After the funeral was over Elena was asked to move out from where she was staying with her husband because it was kind of lonely, she was advised to stay at least where people could hear if she was to be in danger.

Elena decided to move to the main town where her husband owns a house which was gifted to him after a war in which they came back victorious. Although she has left her former house, the memory which she shared with her husband remained ever green, she started to adapt to her new environment, she knew that she had a lot of work to be done based on how she communicated and related with others. At least she was not suffering for now because her husband left some of his wealth for her and her unborn baby before he died which will sustain her for a long time. Her life was not difficult because she had nothing to worry about.

She has stayed in the town for 3 months and she is beginning to like it. The people there were so nice, they are always cheerful and loves to help others. This practice of the people she admires so much, although you never can tell of people until you stay with them for a long time.

Waking up on Saturday morning looking outside noticing that the sun is fully out she dashed out of the bed and rush to take her bath, she planned on going to Market early in the morning that day so that she could come back early without the sun beating her,but as time may be she did not wake up early to prepare for the market, she planned on buying clothing and some things for her baby on the way .

She went to the market, the market was so crowded. It wasn't her first time going to the market but she had never been to the market when it was so crowded. She wondered what was happening in the market for it to be this full. As she was walking down she saw a man very haggard running and some group men going after him, she was trying to move out of the way, but unfortunately the man happened to collide with her which made both of them to fall to ground, without wasting time the man stood up and continued his race, still sitting there not knowing how to stand up because she felt a very excruciating pain on her waist, some people gathered to help her stand, they were so concerned for her because she was a pregnant woman, a woman came forward, helped her to dust her dress and offered to take her to her store to rest,

she followed the gentle woman to her store, the woman offered her a seat and gave her water to take because she looks dehydrated, thank you so much she said I am Elena thanks for your help, you are welcome my dear I am very sorry for what happened to you earlier thank God you are ok, the criminal stole my purse from my shop, I raised alarm that is why those men were going after him. I'm sorry Elena said, oh please no need to be is not your fault, I am Lucinda and this is my son Ray she said pointing to a very handsome young boy who will be 6 years of age which I did not notice have been there all along, hi I am Ray the little boy said, sorry for what happened to you he said with his tiny voice, his word melted my heart, thank you I said patting his head, your boy is such a gentleman, oh please Lucinda said laughing I hope we could be friends, of course I replied feeling happy that I would finally have someone to call my friend Lucinda seems very genuine and kind, she is a tall woman with a very pretty face. What brought Elena to market, wha! I have forgotten that I am still in the market. Your kind gesture has overtaken me. We both laughed aloud, I have never been this happy ever since I lost my husband, thanks to the havens for sending someone like Lucinda to put a smile on my face today.

I actually came to the market to buy things for my baby. I know a very good place to buy baby things if you don't mind me going with you, sure Lucinda thank you so much,I will be back soon, she told some girls which I assumed must be her workers. Lucinda's store is very big. It must be the biggest store in the market. She sells all kinds of jewelry one could ever look for. I can tell that she is not always at her store. Maybe she might have another store that is not in the market, because she seems like she doesn't like it here in the market.

Lucinda did the entire shopping for me. I must say she is very kind, friendly and generous. How can she be so sweet to somebody she just met? I must confess that I am so lucky to have found somebody like her and I am ready to get to know her more.

I never knew Lucinda was living close to me all this while, when we were shopping Lucinda told me that I look familiar, are you the woman who moved from cooladdi to our sydney? She asked, "How did you know?" I asked surprisedly, if you don't mind, are you living in George? Yes, I replied wondering why she's asking all these questions, wow I have been seeing you from afar, I also live in George we are neighbors. Oh really what a coincidence. An awesome coincidence she said smiling, you are so beautiful, thanks for the compliment. I heard about the death of your husband. Take heart my dear, if you don't mind can you join us in our carriage? Of course I don't mind. The coach man opened the door to the carriage for me. The journey to the house was tedious because the path leading to the house is rocky. We arrived at Lucinda's house, it was a very big mansion just like a castle. The Butler approached me. He greeted Lucinda and said " you are welcome Mrs Elena, he already knows my name? I must be popular without knowing, I thought within, thanks I replied nice meeting you. He opened the door for us to go in, I was in awe when I entered the mansion, the designs was top notch a painting in the hallway caught my attention, I was completely mesmerized by the painting, it so beautiful I heard myself said, it was painted by Sidney Nolan in year 1930, it was a gift from my grandparents, Lucinda told me, wow that is so nice I said,

Sidney Nolan was known to be the most popular and best painter Australia have, I wonder how influential this family may be for Nolan to do a painting for them. Would you mind joining us for dinner Lucinda asked, while calling Ray's nanny to go and put him to sleep. No Lucy you have done enough, I think is time for me to go home beside I am not hungry, Lucinda put an angry face, please don't tell me you are not hungry you are pregnant and have not eaten since the time I saw you in the market, I insist please come join us, not wanting to make my friend sad I decided to join them, although I was truly not hungry. I don't know if it is the pregnancy hormones that are making me always not have the appetite to eat. It started last week, I don't think I should panic about it, that is why I was not bothered. I sat near Lucinda at the dinning. The food was already dished out before Lucinda's husband joined. Lucinda introduced me to her husband, Raphael, this is my friend Elena. Elena, meet my husband Raph. Hello he said with his baritone voice. Raphael has very long curly hair which is the same as Ray's hair. He is very handsome and good looking. Ray is the perfect mix of Raphael and Lucinda,to think of it, the couple kind of look alike. Good evening sir I'm Elena, nice he said simply and continued eating, aren't you going to ask me how we met, sorry for not asking am a bit tired he said nonchalantly, is everything alright, how was the council meeting Lucinda asked worriedly,it went well i'm alright just bit tired, Lucinda sigh with relief and continued with her food, where are you from? Mr Raphael asked,the question took me unawares because Raphael seems to not care about me. I am from the United States, North Carolina precisely,but my husband is from Australia, double bay. Interesting he said nodding his head, I once had a friend from there but unfortunately we lost contact he said, so are you staying in sydney?yes I just moved in not too long ago, I was staying in cooladdi before moving here. Have you ever lived in cooladdi? Yes sir, did you know any man named Roman wood? I bet you won't nevermind. of course I know him, that's my late husband Elena replied.did you just said late, Roman is dead?how, when how did this happen, what! he said lowering his head to his palm while talking to himself, the table was once again silent with everyone losing their appetite, I am sorry for bringing this up again I never knew you were Roman wife, I and your husband grew up together and we also did our military training same place, before I and my parents located to another place that's how we lost contact. I just recently found out that he lives in Cooladdi when I asked around but nobody told me that he is dead. That's okay, I know if he were to be here he would be glad to see his long time friend I said smiling.

Can you stop being sad Lucinda said, "I don't like the vibe of here." We all laughed, chatted for hours before going home with Lucinda's carriage. She insisted on following me, but I refused. She has done enough already for me today. I reached my lonely house, took my bath and went to bed. I would say that is my happiest moment since I lost my husband .