Will Love Justify Everything?: Does Love Overcome the Injustices of Life?

By Lorraine Gokul

When Susan Haden,accepts the job in Durban,her passion for the beach,leaves her raped,pregnant and emotionally tortured. Due to her tenacious mother Lydia,and strong religious beliefs,she faces the daunting task,of having the baby.
Six years later,she falls in love and marries,handsome Jake Stanton,keeping her past a secret.On their honeymoon,a horrible truth about him reveals itself,awakening her painful past;will her love for him transgress all odds? Does love overcome the injustices of life or "WILL LOVE JUSTIFY EVERYTHING?
Read! This emotionally gripping and captivating story,which tells of lies, deceit, crime, romance, love, hate and pain.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse UK
• Release date: Jun 5, 2009
• ISBN: 9781467021944

Lorraine Gokul

Author Lorraine Gokul, resides in South Africa and is no stranger to the glitz and glamour of camera, lights, and action. She started her modeling and acting career at the age of 12. Apart from being an actress, and casting co-coordinator, her passion for the media led her to study movie technology. Combining her entrepreneurial skills together with her creativity in writing. She has written two romance novels and is currently working on two other titles. Her novel "I NEED TO FIND ME" includes much of her personal emotions. She has achieved many objectives, including studying Early Childhood development, running her own private school, publishing poetry, assisting new writers to get published, a singer and a counselor. Her buoyancy and charisma attract people from different lifestyles, irrespective of age, gender, nationality or culture.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Susan Haden was shy and, beautiful, yet simple. Her satin skin complimented her deep blue eyes, which radiated warmth. She was unlike other twenty- three- year olds, who were clubbing, drinking and wearing skimpy clothes. Respect and obedience had been bred in her since childhood. Growing up in Johannesburg didn’t leave her with much to do. Her religious background hadn’t left her with much room to explore; she had been raised with an iron fist and a strict mother who never allowed her the freedom like others did. She spent her time reading, walking and jogging which was the result of her curvaceous body.

She watched her mother, Lydia Haden from across the kitchen, removing the freshly baked blueberry muffins from the oven. At forty-five Lydia still looked good. She hadn’t shown signs of ageing; the crow’s feet around her eyes showed her gentleness and the laughter lines around her mouth showed that she always smiling. She never wore outfits that hugged her slender body; daily she adorned herself with a loose dress and her hair tied back in a ponytail. She and her daughter Susan shared a wonderful relationship. People complimented them as sisters, instead of mother and daughter. Lydia was a woman that spent her time baking, cooking and sewing. Susan wondered if her mother loved what she did or was she just doing it to keep herself busy. With Susan at home, Lydia was always busy, and it caused Susan to wonder if it would be the same when she left home? Today she had to tell Lydia that soon she would be leaving. She had to break the news to her mother as she had limited time to do it.

Lydia’s green eyes focused upon Susan with a quick glance and returning to the freshly baked muffins she said, These were your father’s favorite. Smiling, Susan responded, That’s what you say every time you bake them, Mum, as she walked closer to the kitchen table. I think it’s time you realize that dad isn’t here and that you need to get a life. You’ve buried yourself in housekeeping so much that you’ve forgotten there’s life outside. I’m sure dad wouldn’t have wanted you to waste yourself like this, Mum. He probably would have wanted you to move on.

Lydia smiled. Susan you don’t hear me complaining. She walked over to the sink to fill the kettle with water. She couldn’t wipe or erase the memories of her husband, the man she still loved. Lydia was widowed when losing her husband, Robbie to a tragic accident when Susan was only eight-years- years old. Johannesburg wasn’t a safe place to drive, but she often wondered if there were limits to road safety in any other places. She remembered the officer; telling her that her husband was killed when a motorist, sped past the traffic light, when it was her husband’s right of way. She remembered the pain of losing him, the emptiness she endured due to the recklessness and ignorance of someone disobeying the law. She would think of them as road monsters, often wondering if they had consciences. Her thoughts moved to the day Susan approached her about wanting to get her drivers license. Lydia had been uneasy, gripped in fear, and reluctance, yet she had known, that day would come. She saw the excitement on Susans’ face, when she had passed her driving test. The fear never left Lydia, but she knew that she had to pretend to be fine, just to see her daughter happy. As long as her daughter was safe and with her, nothing else mattered. Lydia had no idea what she had to face. Mum… Susan’s voiced broke through, I have some news. Is it good or bad? asked Lydia. Susan’s straight auburn hair swayed softly as she turned to settle in the chair. I guess it’s both, she said as she played with a few loose muffin crumbs that lay on the table, gathering them in a tiny crumpled heap. Ok young lady, you’re not going to give me a heart attack wondering which it is, so you better spit it out! Lydia’s voice sounded with concern she made her way closer to Susan after plugging the kettle and settling into the chair opposite her. This is going to come as a surprise, started Susan nervously. I received confirmation from Durban about the position of assistant accountant. What! That sure is a surprise; what do you mean? You never told me anything regarding Durban. Lydia’s voice was thunderous. I didn’t want to worry you mum, at least not until I was sure that I was the likely candidate for the position.Susan saw the surprised and sad look on Lydia’s face. This could be the turning point in my life, please try to be happy for me, Mum, I’m sorry that I didn’t prepare you earlier, it’s just that I never expected it to…to happen so fast. I was also surprised, when Mr. Mason confirmed my acceptance, telling me that flight plans were made for me to be in Durban, on Thursday. Lydia’s face was ashen Thu–- Thursday Lydia said, clearing her throat, that soon? She felt the lump in her throat get thicker, her eyes filled with tears. Blinking her eyes to stop the tears from showing, she walked to the cupboard, taking out two coffee mugs asking, is that what you want sweetheart? It’s an opportunity of a lifetime Mum, if I pass it; it will never come knocking on my door again. It breaks my heart, to leave you, but I promise to phone you everyday, and I’ll visit whenever I’m able to. You know Mum up until now, she said sarcastically, I’ve never gotten a reply; whenever I sent my résumés, I kept wondering, whether I posted them in the red mailbox or the recycle bin. They both were smiling, followed by laughter. This must have been an e-mail, said Lydia still laughing, as her voice echoed through her laughter. Yes, it was but I assure you that I used the red mailbox. replied Susan. Lydia knew that she couldn’t stand in the way of her daughter’s future. She knew that at some point in time, Susan would leave home perhaps through marriage, she thought and somewhere close by, not Durban which was six hundred miles or more away from home. I’m going to miss you tremendously, honey. she said. Is that supposed to be an ok, Mum? Susan gestured, as she pressed the tiny heap of crumbs on the table flat with her index finger. Yes it is’ Lydia retorted, You better get packing, before I change my mind. I believe that it’s pretty hot in Durban, compared to Johannesburg, Mum, and I don’t know what to pack. Susan wondered if her mother was really ok with her going. Lydia opened her arms wide as if flying, Here comes super mum to the rescue. She said, and made her way out the kitchen, directly to Susan’s room, with Susan laughing behind her. She sank herself on the bed laughing. Susan dropped herself besides her also laughing. They laughed and Lydia broke into a cry. Susan turned to Lydia and hugged her. It’s going to be lonely here without you; I feel as if you going to kinder garden for the first time. Lydia said wiping the tears of her face. Susan smiled, I still remember that day, Mum, you didn’t want to leave, and they ordered you to go. They both laughed. I waited in my car, until you had finished, Lydia roared with laughter. Your teacher said, that when you had opened your lunch box, there was enough there to feed everyone. I had put everything into it that you liked to eat. One day when I have kids, I’m sure I’ll behave just like you Mum. Susan said teasingly. Ah! So that’s what made you decide to apply for the job in Durban, an overbearing mother. Lydia said mockingly. Aw! You know that’s not true mum, I was job searching, it was online and I applied without thinking. If you don’t want me to go, I’ll just call Mr. Mason and tell him. That won’t be necessary sweetheart; I want you to do what makes you happy. I can see that this is going to make you very happy and independent. You know mum, I’m going to be in the corporate world and that’s what’s exciting. We better get you packed said Lydia. I don’t have to worry what to wear to work every day; they will be providing uniforms, so at least I’ll have something to wear. Said Susan, Lydia said teasingly, Hum! I better not over pack your bag like your lunch box. Susan giggled, Don’t embarrass me, Mum. Lydia reaches into the cupboard and pulls out a few of Susan’s garments. She inspects them, nope…too tawdry. Susan laughs, I never thought that you would think that I had tawdry clothes, mum. Lydia chuckles, well to be honest, I didn’t mind you wearing these tawdry outfits. Your beauty made up for it, and besides, it kept the boys away. Susan laughed. Mum… I’m twenty- three, and that explains why I’m still single. No guy has approached me yet. You do know mum that I would have loved to get married, and have kids. Speaking of which, reminds me, darling. Lydia chipped in saying, I’m getting pretty old and by the time you do find Mr. Right, I’ll be too old to raise my grandchildren. Wow! You are not that old, Mum; you could easily pass for thirty. Susan said, as she scrutinized Lydia’s face. Lydia laughed sanctimoniously. If you; say so, young lady. Lydia said, befuddling in a foreign accent. They laughed rakishly. Susan, how come you never dated? I remember you having a crush, on your third grade teacher. Lydia asked, anticipating an answer, as she looked at Susan. Susan laughed amusingly, I was a third grader, Mum, and still a kid, the truth is, I saw my friends date, many of which ended in disaster. That frightened me, and I never met the right, Guy. said Susan, shifting on the bed to get comfortable. Lydia teased, sheepishly. I think that’s my fault Susan, I should have told you, to always look left, you will come right. Susan laughed a rapturously. Come to think of it mum, on my path there’s always crossroads, so I’d still be confused, about the direction I take every day. Their laughter echoed. Lydia finally put some clothes in to the bag, they had finally packed. I’m going to miss you, Mum. Susan said, as she looked at her bags. I guess that goes without saying. Lydia replied.

Chapter 2

The domestic flights always used small planes. It was Susan’s’ first time to fly. She never needed to fly anywhere before. Overwhelmed by fear and excitement, she boarded the small craft. The friendly hostess greeted her warmly with a smile, and directed her to her seat, by pointing her hand to the direction. The captain announced himself and told them to get ready for takeoff; as the cabin hostess announced the air safety rules. Before long she was airborne, peering through the window she saw the different patterns, on the ground, which shortly changed, as the plane ventured higher into the air, revealing the white clouds, which looked like cotton wool. She admired its beauty, as the plane moved over it. Susan was distracted by the cabin hostess serving the meals. Would you prefer meat or veggie sandwich? the hostess asked, with a friendly smile. Meat Susan replied, returning the smile. She handed Susan a sandwich tray. Another hostess that followed her wheeling a cart asked, ‘what would you like to drink? Susan looked at the cart and asked, What do you have? The hostess replied, We have coffee, tea, and soft drinks. I’ll have a coke if you have any? Said Susan, the hostess held a can of coke out to Susan. Thanks. Said Susan as she extended her arm to take the ice can of coke from the hostess. Moments later as the cabin hostess returned, to remove the utensils, the captains’ voice sounded again, please fasten your safety belts, we’ll be making our descent shortly thank you for flying SAA with us. The screeching and sudden jerk made Susan tense with fear. When the captains, voice sounded again, please will you remain seated and do not remove your safety belts until the air craft has completely stopped, once again thank you for flying with us. She realized that the flight wasn’t that long, as she was preoccupied, by looking at the view through the plane window. Everyone stood up, to make their way out of the plane. The aisles were packed with people, trying to exit the plane first. Some bumping others with their hand luggage and some standing in the way of others, while they removed their hand luggage, from the over head compartments. Phones were switched on, some already ringing and some of them already making conversation. Susan waited patiently, for her way to be clear to exit. She retrieved her luggage and exited the plane. It was a short distance to walk, to the terminal building. She went to the baggage area, loading the rest of her luggage onto a trolley, and followed the exit sign. Her eyes searched the entire area, when she came out of the building, people crossed the streets, getting into cars, empty trolleys were left on the sidewalk, people standing next to their trolleys, that was fully laden with their luggage, as they waited for their luggage to be put into the taxis and cars. She summoned a taxi, to take her to the Sun Hotel in Durban. The taxi driver, a medium built white man whom she noticed, wore loose fitting clothes, had a friendly smile. He was the first to make conversation, when he said the airports pretty busy, everyone’s coming here for the soccer games. Where are you from? He asked, Johannesburg and this is my first visit to Durban, Susan found herself telling him. You going to love Durban, and how long you plan on staying here? he asked. For as long as I work. she replied. Oh! So you here to work, I thought that you was a supporter for the soccer games. he said smiling. She smiled back at him. What kind of work do you do? he asked. Accounting, I’ll be working for Sun Hotel. She replied. That explains why you going there now, he said. Yes she nodded. I would be staying at the hotel, until I get an apartment, which reminds me that I have to start looking for an apartment immediately. she said, looking out of the car window. Why is that? he asked enquiringly, looking at her in the rear view mirror. She felt awkward, when her eyes met his eyes in the mirror, shifting uneasily she said, The hotels only giving me a months’ accommodation, until I get my own apartment. I’ll keep a look out for an apartment for you, whenever you need a cab, just call. he said, as he handed her a card, don’t think you going to need this card though, you in the town where the action is, he said with a smile. Don’t you get tired of working with figures? The small cash that I work with makes me lose count. he said, laughingly. If you don’t have a flair for figures, it can be very frustrating. Susan told him. I can’t find or account for the loose change, which I drop in my cab, so it makes me think, how in the hell you work with such huge figures? he laughed, shaking his head. You know I meet people every day, and most of them have jobs, which I’ve never heard off, while the others have jobs that pay so well, and some are just business tycoons. Well I never get to put a word past the business men, that’s because he’s got his phone stuck to his ear from the moment he gets into my car, until the time he gets out. The one thing I can tell you is that I’ve learnt how to make business mergers. They both laughed. Susan noticed that he was a friendly person. I’m glad I’m a cab driver, he said, I can distinguish between the good and bad jobs. The good, is that I meet different people, from all walks of life, and I don’t want some of the lifestyles they lead. The bad, is that they think they got it made, but you see them striving to keep a balance of things. Susan sat silent as he spoke off his mind, realizing that much of what he said made sense. ‘You know that a husband and a wife use my car regularly to cheat on each other? It’s sad, when I go to pick either of them, I see their kids waving at them, and I’m the one driving, either one of them to meet their lovers, that riddles me with guilt. She saw the frustrated look in his face, noticing how sensitive, he was to the children, he never knew. Sorry. he apologized I must have out done you with so much talking. No, its ok I don’t mind. Susan said. He smiled. It’s amazing that those people know what the consequences are, if either of them gets caught, I sympathize with the kids, he said. That’s kind of sad. said Susan. The sad thing is, he continued saying, we look around us and marvel at the good things we desire it, most of which we can’t get or afford, but it’s the very things that we want, contribute to our decomposing