Shooting shatters family dream

 By DEMAS TIEN

NICHOLAS Rarua was planning to start a business in customs clearance and cartage service when he was killed 20 days ago at Hanuabada village.

More importantly, the 36-year-old was looking forward to holding his first child who is due next month.

Raua was buried at the Badihagwa cemetery in Hanuabada village on Monday with cousin Toka Gaudi. 

Both were killed during a clash with police at the village on Friday, January 23. 

His wife Mary, who is eight months pregnant, sat with his parents Davai and Mere beside his coffin during the funeral service at the Poreporena United Church in Hanuabada on Monday.

Nicholas was the fifth in a family of seven children. 

He resigned from ExxonMobil late last year to start his own business.

Delivering an eulogy during the funeral service, Nicholas’s uncle, Vagi Hila said Rarua would never see his dream come true.

“Nicholas Rarua will never see his dream fulfilled, neither will he see the child he would very much love to hold,” Hila said.

His mother, Mary had earlier told The National, Nicholas was at home on that fateful day when he heard shooting in the village. 

He told his mum that he was going out to find out what was happening and would return shortly for lunch. 

He never returned home.  

Rarua was one of the two people who were killed during the raid in the village by police. 

The parents of the two men said they had forgiven those who took away their chidren’s lives. Rarua’s wife has forgiven the killers too.