Chapter 2

Nina slides down, getting unconscious from all the tragedy that happened. "Nina.... Doc Please check on her." Alex cried out seeing Nina fall down. The nurse took Nina in the stretcher to check her. "What happened to him? Did he fell down attempting Suicide?" The Paramedic asked. "It was not Suicide. He was mentally unstable and fell down from the roof railing. He was delusional thinking his dead wife was in front of him and talking to her. We tried to get him back off the railing and give him his sleeping sedative that's when he pushed us and fell from the railing." Alex told the paramedic tears rolling down his cheeks. "My Wife is unconscious on the rooftop. Can you please look into her?" He asked the paramedic to rescue Selena.

The Paramedic rushed to save Selena. They gave her first aid and let her rest on trips. Due to all the noises and havoc Inej woke up and was crying, not able to find her mom."Mumma..mumma..where are you?" She wailed, rubbing her sleepy eyes. The Paramedic rescued her and got her to the living room. Everything happened in a fraction of second. They took Matthias's body for the postmortem and  funeral. Alex came to the living room and saw Nina who was still unconscious lying on the couch. Nina was struggling and frowning. "Matthias.. No.. Stop..." She bolted and awoke, tears rolling down. As soon as Inej saw Nina, "Mumma..." She ran to Nina and hugged her tightly sniffling. "It's ok dear. Don't cry. Don't cry." Alex went to Nina and rubbed her head gently pacifying her. He knows how terrific it will be for Nina, even though Matthias was only a husband in name to her.

Nina hugged Inej back, pacifying her. She looked at Alex, "I am sorry father. It was my fault. I shouldn't have let go of  his hand. I am so sorry." Nina was not in her right senses, baffled by everything that happened and kept on rambling that It was her fault that Matthias was dead. "Nina, dear calm down. You are scaring Inej. Relax dear it was not your fault. He was dead because he jumped on his own. Are you clear? You are not responsible for his death. Get that into your brain." Alex pressed each and every word so that Nina would get it clear in her brain. She stopped talking looking at Inej with tears and hugged her back.

Selena was unconscious till morning and when she woke up everything was done. Matthias was no more. She saw the funeral works were going on. Matthias's body arrived and their relatives were informed. She saw Nina sitting at a corner quietly hugging Inej who was sleeping on her lap. There was no emotion in her face. Her eyes were lifeless. Selena quietly went and sat near her caressing her head, tears rolling down her cheeks. "I am sorry dear. I ruined your life. I am really sorry. I have wronged you." Nina didn't say anything staring at an empty space, tears rolling down.

Relatives started to come for the funeral. Alex's elder brother Daniel Helvar, his wife Alysa Helvar were the first to come as soon as they heard about the news. David and Alysa were utterly heartbroken to see Nina like a statue in a corner quietly crying. Alysa quickly went to her and took Nina in her arms hugging her. That hug was full of warmth and a silent promise to Nina that she is not alone in this. It was a motherly aggression of Alysa to protect her children from every possible danger. Daniel stood near Nina caressing her hair affectionately and silently telling her "I am also here with you dear".

Kenzie Helvar who is the daughter of Daniel and Alysa and an architect student studying in the next city came rushing. She shared a sisterly bond with Nina. She is three years younger than Nina. Nina also treated her like her own little sister as Kenzie was a cheerful, naughty and kind girl. They both, along with Inej, enjoyed themselves very much and went out sometimes. Those were like escaping moments for Nina from reality. Kenzie saw Nina and was devastated to see her like this. Nina was always quiet and unexpressive since marriage but today she is lifeless like a statue. Tears were protesting to fall from Kenzie's eyes and she hugged Nina tightly to make Nina feel her. She could not hold back her emotions any longer and burst out.

It was purely visible in Daniel and Alysa's eyes how angry they were at Alex and Selena. This is not tolerable at all for them. Seeing their Best Friend's cherished daughter being a widow at such a young age. The girl who is treasured by their best friend's is struggling to survive facing all the tragedy that comes in her way since childhood. They were against Matthias and Nina's marriage from the very first when they got to know that Nina is not just another girl but Steve Harrington and Joyce Harrington's daughter. The Harrington Family's little lady.

Steve Harrington and Daniel Helvar have been best friends since school. Joyce and Alysa were cousin sisters by blood. Two couples had given birth to a boy and a girl each. Steve and Joyce had Henry and Nina. Daniel and Alysa had Joshua and Kenzie. Henry and Joshua were of the same age and best friends like their fathers. Henry Harrington was two years older than Nina, her Elder brother. Their family was perfect in every possible way. Steve's parents and Daniel's parents were family friends too. So naturally they all knew each other and cared for each other. But this happiness ended when Steve and Joyce died in a car accident. They were taking Henry to the hospital when a collapsed truck hit their car. Both Steve and Joyce died on the spot but they didn't find Henry anywhere. His body was not there and he is still missing. When Nina heard this news, her six year old little brain couldn't take all this and it removed all these painful memories by itself. Nina forgot who she was, what her name was, everything. It was like her brain defended her from all that pain.

"I told you right brother you are going to destroy my little girl's life. I am worried for Matthias as much as you and Selena. He is my son too. But she was just 21 Alex, when she was married to Matthias. You should have at least waited till Matthias recovered. But see what have you done to my little girl now. Are you happy now Alex?" Daniel shouted at Alex in the corridor, his eyes were bloodshot. "You are always the correct brother. I ruined everything thinking I am fixing everything. I don't deserve anyone's kindness." Alex held Daniel's hand and pleaded guilty. "There is no cry over the spilled milk Alex. I am very much disappointed in you. I am going to take Nina to my mansion after all this is over." Daniel said in a firm voice and left Alex alone in the corridor.

Nina, who was sitting like a statue in the corner, flinched back to reality when Inej woke up. "Mumma, why are you crying? I didn't do anything naughty. Please don't cry." Inej asked, rubbing her eyes from sleep. Inej was nervous seeing her mother crying, and tried to wipe Nina's tears. Little beads of tears were waiting to roll down Inej's soft chubby cheeks. Nina's heart clenched to see this little one's love for her and hugged her immediately. "Sorry my baby, Mumma was not crying because of you. I know my Inej is a good girl. Don't cry baby. See mumma is not crying." Nina pacified Inej, wiping her own tears and smiled at Inej. Inej hugged Nina's neck and nestled closely to her. "Is my baby Inej hungry? come mumma will feed you."  Nina struggled to be her old self for the sake of Inej.

The Funeral was held for three days. Everyone pitied Nina for her misery and expressed their condolences. Nina took care of Inej keeping her sorrow aside. Nina refused to eat anything and was taking care of Inej solely as if that is her life's only purpose. Alysa was also stubborn not leaving Nina on Empty stomach. Alysa somehow made Nina eat a little bit, coaxing her.

On the second day of the funeral, Nina's Aunty and uncle came to pay their respects as Nina's Maternal family. Nina, who was looking after Inej, saw them. She started to tremble in fear. "What if they came here to take her back? What if they torture and abuse her again? what if they again sell her to someone for their benefits?" Nina thought of all the worst nightmares that could happen and thought of escaping from the mansion like a mad woman. "Mumma, I want that cake." Inej brought Nina to reality. Nina was shocked by her own thoughts. How can she think of leaving this pure little soul behind selfishly? Now that Inej has become her sole reason to live. Nina slid on her knees in front of Inej and hugged her tightly and showered her with kisses, tears flowing from her eyes. When Nina stood up holding  Inej in her arms, "Papa..." Inej shouted in joy and wriggled out of Nina's arms. Nina Froze.

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