Away to love

Chapter 4

CHAPTER 4

Her car jolted to a halt, its tires hissing as they met the rough asphalt. Nina clutched her worn duffel bag tighter, her heart pounding in her chest. The familiar sights of her hometown in the country came into view, and with them, the memories she had tried so hard to escape. The past few years felt like a lifetime, a dark and twisting journey that had finally brought her back to the place she had sworn never to return. She swore never to return there after her father had messed up.

She stepped out of the car, the warm summer breeze blowing her hair. Her eyes scanned the small garden, a mixture of dread and hope filling her heart. She had left with dreams of a bright future, hand in hand with Josh, her high school sweetheart. But those dreams had quickly turned into a nightmare of broken promises and bruised skin.

Her parents' house in the country had changed little in her absence. The same old car her father abandoned stood in the corner, its condemned parts scattered on the floor. The smell of freshly cooked food smelt from the kitchen, and her dad’s laughter echoed from the house. It was as if time had stood still here, while her life had been thrown into chaos.

With hesitant steps, Nina made her way down the familiar ground, the soles of her shoes clicking against the pavement. Every corner, every tree, held memories of a simpler time. She could almost hear the echoes of her dad’s laughter, and she could see the ghost of her younger self, full of hope and excitement.

Her parents’ house came into view, the quaint, white picket fence both welcoming and relaxing. She paused at the door, her hand trembling as she pushed it open. The parlor was as she remembered—vibrant flowers blooming by the side and alive from the careful care of her mother's dedication.

Nina walked to her father's room where her parents were and, taking a deep breath, she knocked. The sound echoed in the still air, and she could hear her heartbeat in her ears. A moment later, the door opened, revealing her mother’s beautiful face. The lines around her eyes had deepened, and her hair had more streaks of gray, but the love and concern in her eyes were noticeable.

"Nina?" her mother whispered, her voice trembling.

"Mom," Nina replied, her voice cracking. " I... I'm sorry. I made a mistake. Am I home now? "

Without a word, her mother pulled her into a tight embrace, tears streaming down her cheeks. The warmth of her mother’s arms was a comfort to Nina’s wounded soul, and she clung to her, feeling the walls she had built around her heart begin to crumble.

" Shhh, it's okay, sweetheart, " her mother said, stroking Nina’s hair. " You're home now. You're safe. "

Nina sobbed into her mother’s shoulder, the weight of the past few years came crashing down on her. "I didn't know where else to go, I had to make peace with dad" she admitted between sobs. "I thought I could handle it, but I was so wrong."

Her mother pulled back slightly, cupping Nina’s face in her hands. " You’re here now, and that’s all that matters. Come inside, let’s get you settled. "

As they stepped into the room, the familiar scent of her mom enveloped Sarah. It was a mix of her mother’s cooking, fresh flowers, and a hint of her father’s shaving cream. The living room was cozy and welcoming, with family photos adorning the walls and the same old, comfortable furniture she remembered.

Nina’s mother led her to the kitchen, where the comforting aroma of freshly roasted meat filled the air. "Sit down, honey," she said, guiding Nina to a chair. " I’ll dish you something to eat. You look like you haven’t had a decent meal in a long time. "

Nina nodded, feeling a lump form in her throat. She watched as her mother moved around the kitchen, dishing out some rice and meat and pouring her a glass of orange juice. It was a simple act, but it brought tears to Nina’s eyes. She had missed this—missed the care and love that only a mother could provide.

As she ate, Nina’s mother sat across from her, watching her with a mixture of concern and relief. " Nina, what happened? Why didn’t you call us? We have been so worried. Not that I’m chasing you, but you could have at least told me you were coming. ”

Nina put down her sandwich, her appetite leaving as the memories resurfaced. "Mom, I made a mistake," she began, her voice barely above a whisper. " I thought Josh was the one. I thought he loved me. But things changed after we got married. He became... different. "

Her mother’s eyes filled with tears, but she remained silent, letting Nina continue.

"He was controlling at first," Nina said, her voice shaking. " He wanted to know where I was all the time, who I was with. I thought it was because he cared. But then he started getting angry over little things. He accused me of cheating, of lying. And then... he started hitting me. He didn’t just stop there, he would not touch me again, demanded we sleep in separate bedrooms, and just became… distant.

Her mother gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. "Oh, Nina," she whispered, tears streaming down her face. " Why didn’t you tell us? We are always here for you. We could have helped you. "

"I was too ashamed," Nina admitted, her voice breaking. " I didn’t want to admit that I had made such a terrible mistake. Dad had told me he would change and that he wasn’t good for me. I thought I could change him, that things would get better. But they only got worse. "

As they walked, Nina felt a sense of peace and stability returning. The simple act of walking with her parents, of seeing familiar faces and places, was comforting. It reminded her that life could be good again, that she could find happiness and peace.

When they returned home, his mother suggested watering the flowers. Nina agreed, eager to keep her hands busy and her mind occupied. As they worked side by side, her mother shared stories about the various plants and flowers, their origins and special care needs.

"Watering is a lot like life," her mother said, gently pouring the water around a new flower. " It takes patience, care, and sometimes, a bit of toughness. But with time and effort, beautiful things can grow. "

Nina nodded, feeling the weight of her mother’s words. She had been through so much, but she was determined to heal, to grow and find her way back to herself.

The days turned into weeks, and slowly, Nina began to find her footing again. Her parents were a constant source of support, giving her the time and space she needed to heal. She spent her days helping her mother in the garden, going for long walks to clear her mind, and slowly, she started to open up about what she had been through.

One afternoon, as she sat with her mother in the backyard, Nina finally felt ready to share her story.

"Mom," she began, her voice hesitant. " It started off so well with Josh. He was charming and sweet, just like in high school. But after we got married, things changed. "

Her mother listened quietly, her eyes filled with concern and compassion.

"He became controlling," Nina continued. " At first, it was little things—wanting to know where I was all the time, who I was with. But then it got worse. He started accusing me of things I didn’t do, and he got angry over the smallest things. And then… then he started hitting me. "

Her mother gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. "Oh, Nina," she whispered, tears welling up in her eyes.

"I was so scared, Mom," Nina said, her voice breaking. " I didn’t know how to leave. I thought he might change, but he didn’t. And I was too ashamed to come back and admit that I had been wrong. "

Her mother wrapped her arms around her, holding her tightly. " You’re so brave, Nina. It takes a lot of courage to leave an abusive relationship. We’re so proud of you for finding the strength to come home. "

In the weeks that followed, Nina focused on rebuilding her life. She reconnected with old friends, many of whom welcomed her back with open arms. She found a hobby that would engage her and was frequenting the local bookstore, a place that had always felt like a second home to her. Surrounded by the comforting presence of books and friendly faces, she began to feel strength and courage returning to her life.