Away to love

Chapter 6iii

One afternoon, as she stood before an unfinished painting, her mother entered the sunlit room with a thoughtful expression.

"Nina, have you ever considered hosting singing concerts here too from time to time?" her mother asked, her eyes bright with quiet pride. "Your songs are so powerful—they could inspire so many people."

Nina paused, her gaze lingering on the lyric books that were laid before her. The idea of sharing her songs with others had both excited and terrified her. "I don’t know, Mom," she replied hesitantly. "It feels… vulnerable."

Her mother crossed the room, placing a gentle hand on Nina’s shoulder. "Your songs are a reflection of your inspiration, you make art to show your soul that you’re listening," she said softly. " It’s a part of your spirit speaking to you and telling you to do it. It’s your destiny. "

Nina considered her mother’s words, a spark of determination lighting up within her. "Maybe you’re right," she said, her voice stronger. "Maybe it’s time to share my songs differently."

With her mother’s encouragement, Nina began to prepare to sing in her father's garage—an event that would not only showcase her music but also serve as a platform to show people her talent. Her songs became a narrative of her strength, each lyric and music touching the heart and soul.

The night of the presentation by the fire arrived with a mixture of nerves and anticipation. Nina stood before the mic, her heart pounding with a mixture of pride and vulnerability. Her family and friends surrounded her, their presence a source of unwavering support.

"You’re going to do great, Nina," Betty whispered, squeezing her hand tightly. "We’re all so proud of you."

Nina nodded, her gaze steady as she surveyed the backyard filled with curious onlookers. The backyard was carefully arranged in ways where everyone had seats to sit.

As visitors approached, Nina found herself explaining the inspiration behind each song—the reasons why she sang each lyric. Her voice trembled at first, but with each word spoken, she felt a renewed sense of strength. One little girl, touched by Nina’s song, approached her with tears in her eyes. " Thank you, Nina. I want to be a pop star too when I grow " up, She whispered, her voice light and happy. "Your songs have given me hope."

Nina met the girl's gaze, her eyes shining with unshed tears.

"Aww thanks little baby," she replied softly. "I appreciate your boldness to walk up here."

The concern became a way of bonding-a testament to the power of strength and motivation to chase dreams.

Nina's songs resonated deeply with many visitors, sparking conversations about those that moved to the city and empowered themselves. Each person who came to her told her she'd make it big. She was not really concerned about making it big. She just wanted people to hear her songs, reach out to her and to make a reasonable livelihood from it.

As the evening progressed, Nina found herself surrounded by loved ones who had stood by her side since she was a child. Her parents beamed with pride, their eyes brimming with tears of joy for their daughter's courage. Betty stood beside her, full of smiles and so much happiness. " You did it, Nina," Betty said softly, her voice filled with admiration. "You've turned your songs into something beautiful. " Nina smiled, a genuine warmth spreading through her heart."Thank you, Betty, " she replied, her voice tinged with emotion."|couldn't have done it without you always telling me I'd be like Katy Perry someday. "

The concert marked an important moment in Nina's healing journey-a moment of reclaiming her voice and her narrative. It garnered attention from local media, shining a spotlight on the issue of allowing your kids to chase their dreams with courage and giving them support as parents.

In the days that followed, Nina continued to receive messages of support and gratitude from those who had attended the concert. Those that heard news of Nina leaving Josh's home also comforted her and prayed for her.

Inspired by the positive impact of her songs, Nina began to explore new avenues of reaching out to people through her art. She volunteered to sing for the children at the orphanage and at church whenever she came into town.

One afternoon, Nina sat with a group of women at the orphanage, their voices mingling in a chorus of shared experiences. She listened with empathy as they spoke of their fears and aspirations, offering words of encouragement and solidarity.

"You give us hope, Nina," one woman said softly, her eyes shining with gratitude. "Seeing how far you've come...it reminds us that we can rebuild our lives too."

Nina nodded, her heart swelling with a sense of purpose. "You're stronger than you know," she replied, her voice steady with conviction. "And you deserve a life free from fear and pain." Her volunteer work became a source of fulfillment and renewed purpose. Nina discovered a deep-seated passion for advocacy, using her voice to amplify the voices of those who were scared of doing something because they felt they were not good enough. She promised that when she came back she would collaborate with local organizations to raise awareness, participate in panel discussions and community events that focused on empowering survivors and also other organizations that would encourage people, young or old, and give them strength.

Through it all, Nina continued to navigate the legal process with the support of her lawyer. Court dates and legal proceedings loomed on the horizon, each step bringing her closer to the moment of confronting Josh and seeking justice. She was scared.

The anticipation weighed heavily on Nina's shoulders. She found herself plagued by doubts and fears, wondering if she was truly ready to face the man who had inflicted so much pain upon her. Nightmares returned with a vengeance, tormenting her sleep and leaving her exhausted and drained. She thought about crafting a revenge plan before divorce but swept it off.

During one particularly challenging therapy session, Nina confessed her fears to her lawyer. "I feel like I'm drowning in uncertainty," she admitted, her voice trembling with vulnerability. "What if I can't handle seeing him again?" She had wanted to go back to him. She thought about the outside world and how hard it would be to survive without him. She was not going to hide out in the country forever.