TOO FAR TO REACH 57

 

TOO FAR TO REACH 57

It was the morning of the hearing and Pumulo arrived at the court house elegantly dressed. That day, Pumulo bathed like she had never before. Clad in a black suit comprising of a well fitting skirt jacket and white shirt inside. Her hair was neatly tied in a pony and she wore light makeup, the perfect look was completed with a black stilleto. Walking to the court house got a lot of heads turning, it was usual to see many cases but women that looked that fine in the midst of divorce was quite rare, most times women came in devastated and in anguish except for a few. Ms Charlotte drove Pumulo to court, she was like a daughter she never had and she loved her so dearly. Before Pumulo left, Ms Charlotte had given her a pep talk.

“I will remain in here with Emmanuela my darling, go and kill it in there… do exactly as I said”

Jeff was standing outside with his sister. Although Nancy did not want to accompany her brother for the divorce, Jeff needed someone there. Minding his business and pressing his phone, there she was.. Pumulo Kim, walking confidently and as beautiful as he could remember. She had a sassiness that he spotted right from a distance and he immediately Pat his sister’s shoulder.

“look who we are up against” Jeff whispered to his sister.

Nancy could not get a hold of herself and she immediately rushed to Pumulo for a greeting much to her brothers dismay. Without thinking twice, Nancy hugged Pumulo.

“my dear, I don’t want to be here trust me… I know there’s better ways of resolving these things” she whispered

Pumulo kept her poise and smiled as she now shook Nancy’s hand.

“I’m so pleased to see you Mrs Cloud”

“we don’t have to go in there Pumulo.. what happened? Brief me please.. the baby? Was it Jeff’s? Or… please my dear… let’s resolve this amicably outside court” she said in panic

Pumulo shook her head with a modest smile.

“Hey.. it’s okay” rubbing Nancy’s hand.

“Don’t worry Mrs Cloud, it’s okay.. I am okay.. let’s go ahead with this.. it’s fine” she said.

It was time to walk into the court room, Pumulo’s lawyer had just arrived. He was a family lawyer of the Adams. Ms Charlotte knew no other better lawyer would defend Pumulo than her own family lawyer. Walking in with Pumulo, the lawyer ran her through everything they had agreed to be sure they had the same language and she responded affirmatively. Jeff kept stealing glances at Pumulo and she noticed but opted to pay him no attention, she chose to focus her mind on what was happening.

 Jeff’s lawyer looked good too and there was going to be a battle to defend this case. The lawyer detailed everything and so did Pumulo’s lawyer, he made it clear that his client had accepted all the clients requests and did not oppose to the divorce. It was Pumulo’s turn to express herself and she stated the facts as they were.

“Your honor, yes I agree our marriage has probably reached it’s breaking point. I completely regret my actions and how we arrived to this. I also apologise to my ex husband for all the harm I caused him. What happened was a case of blackmail, yes I had a moment of weakness but I was later blackmailed by the man in question just so I could save my marriage. I did all he asked until I discovered I was pregnant. The affair ended, it was very short, the rest of it was all black mail. I confessed this to my husband and he kicked me out, I don’t blame him. Any person would react as he did. I have no desire to oppose any condition brought forth, I simply ask that the court consider the daughter my husband and I share. She is 4 months old now. Aside that, I wish him all the best”

There was a shock on Jeff’s face and the lawyer too who opposed immediately.

“Your honor I beg to differ.. my client shares no child with his wife and if that be the case then a further discussion has to be had between my client and his wife outside court. However, she is lying”

The judge quickly interrupted.

“Mrs Kim, are you sure of what you are telling the court?, you could be in serious trouble for telling a lie in court”

“Your honor my daughter is here with me, she is in the car with my aunty. Your honor I would like to state that I was looking for means to convey this message but looking at how terrible things were. I had no option but just to hope that maybe he would try to come around. He strictly told me he never ever wanted to see or hear from me again and he would get a restraining order should I try to come near him again”

Jeff and his lawyer seemed to be trying to agree on something that was taking longer than required. The judge asked Pumulo why she could not even look for Jeff’s sister to convey the message of the child.

“I did think of that your honor, your honor I have been very ashamed. I did not stay away from my husband because I chose to. He did not want me anywhere near him and because I was madly in love with him…”

Pumulo posed to wipe a tear and gather strength. She continued in a breaking voice.

“Because I was madly in love with him your honor, I did not want to subject myself to his fury again. I did not want my daughter to grow up in such a toxic environment. However, when I learnt of the divorce, my heart was calm because I finally had a platform to see my husband and let him know he has a daughter and plead with him to at least pay child support”

Jeff bowed his head battling tears, it was evident that he still could not stand seeing Pumulo sad. The court was moved by Pumulo’s emotions and her lawyer concluded.

“Your honor, my client completely regrets her decisions that led to this. I beg that the court understand that my client has no desire to stop Mr Kim, all she wants is for her child to get support. It is also clearly evident that she did not intentionally keep the child away but this is because she still loves her husband. I understand that’s not the reason we are here”

Jeff’s lawyer was consulted on whether on not he had anything to say on behalf of his client.

“Your honor, my client wishes to see the baby.  Aside that, my client has equally requested for a DNA test before we can return to discuss anything further. You honor we ask that court grants the request, what we have learnt here requires much discussion with my client. He is unable to proceed with the case right now with the recent findings”

The judge put everything into consideration and ordered that Pumulo allow Jeff to see the baby and to conduct the DNA test.

“we are postponing this case to a month from now, hopefully by then we will have a conclusive decision after everything has been put into consideration. 16^th November is the next date of the court hearing”

Pumulo hurried out of court while Jeff stayed behind, Nancy quickly chased after her and caught up with her before she could get in the car. Nancy was immediately drawn by the by baby, she in Ms Charlotte’s hands. She was sleeping so angelically.

“Oh my…” Nancy said in awe as tears filled her eyes.

“She looks like Jeff… a clear photocopy” she said getting the baby from Ms Charlotte

Nancy stood holding the baby and tears flooding her face when Jeff arrived. He gathered his strength and forced by his lawyer to at least take a look at the baby. Pumulo stood at a distance and made a fake call and started walking further away. Jeff looked at her and asked Nancy to give her the baby.

“She is Emmanuela Charlotte Kim..” Ms Charlotte said.

Jeff was do shocked looking at her and seeing many of his features. He looked up guiltily to spot Pumulo who was walking away. Everyone noticed his face drawn by a lot of emotion.

“Do we need a DNA test?” Nancy asked mockingly

Jeff cleared his throat trying to hide his emotions.

“Well only because the court has asked for one” he said.

Nancy rubbed her brothers hand as he held his baby. She had a lot to say in that moment but she chose not to steal away from this precious moment of father and daughter. Nancy had known it from the onset of the divorce proceedings that Jeff still loved Pumulo and she was sure with no doubt that Pumulo felt the same.

Pumulo stood at a distance and Nancy followed her to talk.

“I am sorry for everything” she said.

“no I should be sorry, this family did so much for me. The least I could do is appreciate but what did I do?”

“Gave us a beautiful girl.. the most precious gift we could ever ask for. Pumulo … don’t beat yourself down”

Nancy hugged Pumulo really tight and Jeff watched them before switching back focus to his daughter. His whole world changing in a moment, never had loved like he did in that moment. She was so perfect in every way, her grin through her sleep making her more angelic. Jeffs heart melted, all his anger and every wall in him crushing down. She was his everything he needed to quench the pain inside. For a long time he was displacing his emotions but giving the best life he could to Hannah. The two had lavishly spent money and went on numerous vacations but none took it away. None of those things completed him, not even her recent revelation that she was carrying his child. Jeffs lawyer was now present and he too was confused.

“Man this baby is yours no matter what” he said.

Jeff nodded his head and replied confidently

“I know”