Newly-wed Heilala loses husband [1]
Tuesday, August 18, 2009 - 23:11. Updated on Thursday, August 6, 2015 - 13:16.
By Linny Folau
Newly-wed Heilala Fetu'u (23) longs to see the husband she married on July 30 and who was lost at sea only one week later.
Clinging on to a hope that his body might be recovered, Heilala remains camping at the Shipping Corporation Office at Queen Salote Wharf, where she spoke to Matangi Tonga on August 17.
Heilala showed a picture of her lost love, 'Anitelu Uaili Fetu'u (23) of Makaunga, Tongatapu. The photo now hangs in the tent where she and other bereaved families have been staying since news broke of the ferry sinking.
"I have no doubt that my beloved husband is gone but I only hope and pray his body could be recovered if they can, so I could see his face for the last time. I love him and miss him so much," she sadly said.
Stayed behind
'Anitelu was a security guard at the Loumaile Lodge in Nuku'alofa and boarded the ferry Princess Ashika, on August 5, on his way to Ha'apai to get some pigs for a function for the Free Church of Tonga. He was also planned to get some mulberry tree that is used to make tapa cloth.
"He asked for time off from work to go on the trip to Ha'apai and he was set to return back to Tongatapu this week," said Heilala.
"I was supposed to join him on the trip to Ha'apai together with his younger brother so that we can help but my mother in law advised us not to, so as to save money from the fare, so we didn't go," she said.
Heilala said they were immediately informed the morning after the tragic sinking and they had been camping at the Shipping office awaiting any news on the search operation.
Praying
While she is fully aware of the reality that the bodies might not be recovered still she hopes and prays that somehow they can. At the same time the young wife remains strong and is finding strength in her husband's memories.
Heilala said her husband was a seafaring man, and had been on ferry trips to the outer islands many times. "But I just never expected this would happen," she quietly added.