Previous Challenge Entry
Topic: Doors (04/05/04)
TITLE: SEQUEL TO UNWAVERING HOPE By Faithaline Stanislaus 04/06/04 |
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“Well, what does it say?” her friend Jennifer asked.
“I join the missions team to India in a few weeks.”
“I’m so happy for you!”
“Ever since I met Eric I’ve had a love for the Indian people. I suggested that we take a short missions trip to India several times, but he never wanted to go back there.”
“Why not?”
“Mainly because of his family—they didn’t get along.”
“How come?”
“I’m not sure. Eric never liked talking about his family and I never pressured him to do so.”
“Since Eric is an Indian, where did he get such a name?”
“Eric is his middle name. His first name is Anish. He was named after an American who saved his father’s life.”
“Well, it looks like the Lord has set an open door before you. You get to bring the gospel to the Indian people. I say walk through that door!”
“You know, Jenny, there’s also an added bonus to going to India.”
“What’s that?”
“I’ll finally get to meet Eric’s family.”
“You’ve never met them?”
“No. None of them came to the wedding. Eric said they were opposed to the marriage.”
“Why?”
“I suppose because I was of a different race.”
“And you still want to meet these people?”
“I have to. They’re the only link to Eric that I have left.”
Elana stepped off the bus and looked around the crowded marketplace, hoping that she would not have trouble recognizing Eric’s brother Abhijat.
Suddenly, Elana spotted an Indian man heading straight toward her. Could this be Abhijat? The man passed by her, brushing his shoulders hard against hers. Elana stumbled a little. Then the man disappeared in the crowd, but not before he grabbed Elana’s hand roughly, jammed something into it, then closed her fingers around it to form a fist. Slightly disoriented, Elana raised her hand and opened trembling fingers. A piece of crumpled paper lay in the center of her palm. She opened it and read: “Trust no male in my family. Be careful Lana.”
Elana’s eyes widened. “Eric!” she whispered. He was the only one who called her Lana. Also, she recognized his handwriting. Could he be in India? Was Eric alive?
“Elana!”
Elana’s thoughts were interrupted by the sound of her name. She looked up and saw an Indian man walking toward her. He looked like an older version of Eric. She surmised that this was Abhijat. She quickly shoved the note into her pocket, remembering Eric’s warning.
Taking her elbow, Abhijat led her to a green pickup van, then drove off.
“My mother and sister are anxious to meet you.” He said on the way.
Elana’s lips formed a sardonic smile. “But not your father and brothers?”
“It is no secret that my family was opposed to the marriage, but what is done is done. You are—or were his wife—”
Elana breathed in sharply at the reference towards Eric in the past tense.
“I am sorry,” said Abhijat. “I did not mean to be insensitive.”
Abhijat backed out of the room as soon as he showed Elana in, and she was left alone with Eric’s mother and sister.
“Come closer,” said Eric’s mother, “I have longed to meet the woman who captured my son’s heart.”
Elana went closer and kissed her cheek. “I have longed to meet you too, Lajwanti,” she said. Then turning toward Eric’s sister she said, “You must be Ramani.”
“Yes,” said the girl shyly.
“I miss Eric very much,” said Elana.
“He is safer where he is,” said Lajwanti.
Elana frowned. “You mean in heaven? I would think that the word ‘happier’ would be more appropriate than the word ‘safer’.”
“You will have to excuse my mother. She is an old woman,” said Ramani. “I will take her to her room to lie down.”
“Ramani wait,” said Elana. “What are you keeping from me?"
“I do not know what you mean.”
“Eric is alive isn’t he? And he’s here in India.”
Ramani’s eyes widened.
“Is Eric in danger?”
“Yes.” Replied Lajwanti.
“From whom?”
“His father.”
“What? Is it because of our marriage?”
“If you mean because you are white the answer is no. Remember that Eric was named after a white man. Eric’s father wants him dead, because he gave up Hinduism and became a Christian.”
Turning to Ramani Elana said, “You must take me to him.”
With one hand Elana held the sari off the ground to avoid tripping and with the other she covered her face with the material as she followed Ramani along deserted streets. Stopping in front of a small wooden house, Ramani wrapped twice on the front door which opened almost immediately.
“Go in,” Ramani urged, “I will wait for you out here.”
“Eric,” Elana called as she closed the door and walked further into the darkened room. Even when her eyes became accustomed to the darkness she saw no one. “Is this another open door Lord, or a trap door?” she prayed silently.
Suddenly from behind her someone whispered, “Lana.”
“Eric!” She turned around. She flung her arms around his neck. Then pulling back, she said, “Eric, your mother says that your father wants you dead.”
“Yes. I thought I was safe from him in America, until there were two attempts on my life. Then I knew that you weren’t safe either.”
“So you disappeared?”
“I came to try to reason with my father. I can’t help believe that deep down he still loves me.”
“You’ve spoken to him?”
“No, but I’ve been observing him. The missionaries are having an impact, and I believe my father is mellowing a little.”
“Buy why didn’t you tell me all this before?”
“Perhaps I should have, but I wanted to shield you from this ugliness.”
“What do we do now?”
“There isn’t much we can do. The Lord will have to see us through.”
“I know he will, Eric. I know it.”